Divine Decree and Predestination in Islam

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.

The scholars differed regarding the distinction between Divine Decree (Qada') and Predestination (Qadar) in terms of their definitions, not regarding the obligation of believing in them. Belief in Divine Decree and Predestination is one of the pillars of faith, and every Muslim must believe that everything that occurs in the universe happens by Allah's knowledge, His writing, His will, and His creation.

Some scholars held that Qada' and Qadar have the same meaning. According to this view, everything that Allah decreed and predestined beforehand may be described as both Qada' and Qadar. This was the opinion adopted by a number of scholars.

Other scholars distinguished between the two. They said that Qada' is Allah's comprehensive eternal judgment, while Qadar is the occurrence of the details of that judgment in reality, exactly as Allah had known them from eternity.

A third group held the opposite view. They said that Qadar refers to Allah's prior determination, while Qada' refers to the actual occurrence, creation, and bringing into existence of what He had decreed. This is one of the most well-known opinions and was preferred by some leading scholars. From this comes the well-known principle: "When Qada' and Qadar are mentioned together, they differ in meaning; when mentioned separately, each includes the meaning of the other."

According to this opinion, Qadar precedes Qada', because Qadar is Allah's prior determination from eternity, whereas Qada' is Allah's bringing that determination into existence through creation, removal, or change.

However, it should be noted that this difference regarding the definitions is a minor scholarly disagreement and does not have any significant impact on Islamic belief or practice. All scholars agree that everything happens by Allah's decree and determination, and that whatever Allah wills comes to pass, and whatever He does not will never occurs.

In summary: Qada' and Qadar are sometimes used as synonymous terms, while some scholars distinguish between them. According to what many scholars considered the stronger opinion, Qadar is Allah's prior determination, and Qada' is the realization of what was determined. The essential matter, however, is to have complete faith that everything occurs by Allah's knowledge, will, and perfect wisdom.

And Allah knows best.