Belief in Preordainment (Qadar) is the understanding that everything in existence—good or bad—happens by Allāh’s decree. Allāh, in His infinite wisdom and knowledge, has ordained every event and created everything with precise measure and purpose. Nothing occurs outside of His control or knowledge. This belief requires a Muslim to trust in Allāh’s wisdom, recognizing that every occurrence, whether understood or not, is part of His divine plan.
As Shaykh Ibn al-‘Uthaymeen explained, Qadar has four levels:
- Knowledge: Believing that Allāh knows all things, past, present, and future, as well as everything that could happen.
- Writing: Allāh has recorded everything that will happen in the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfūẓ).
- Will: Everything that happens, happens by Allāh’s will and permission.
- Creation: Allāh is the Creator of all things, including people’s actions.
Allāh says in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, We have created all things with Qadar (predestination).”
— Surah Al-Qamar (54:49)