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Levels
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Level 1 (23)
- The Testimony of Faith
- An Introduction to Pillars of Islam and Articles of Faith (part 1 of 2)
- An Introduction to Pillars of Islam and Articles of Faith (part 2 of 2)
- Some Common Questions by Recent Converts
- Importance of Seeking Knowledge
- Paradise (part 1 of 2)
- Paradise (part 2 of 2)
- The Night Journey
- How to Pray for a Recent Convert(part 1 of 2)
- How to Pray for a Recent Convert (part 2 of 2)
- Breaking the News to Family (part 1 of 2)
- Breaking the News to family (part 2 of 2)
- Getting Adjusted To the Muslim Community
- Keeping Good Company
- Belief in Allah (part 1 of 2): The Categories of Tawheed
- Belief in Allah (part 2 of 2): Shirk, the Opposite of Tawheed
- Belief in Prophets
- Belief in Scriptures
- Belief in Angels
- Belief in the Day of Judgment
- Belief in Divine Decree (part 1 of 2)
- Belief in Divine Decree (part 2 of 2)
- Study Methodology for a New Muslim
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Level 2 (25)
- Let’s Meet Muhammad (part 1 of 2)
- Let’s Meet Muhammad (part 2 of 2)
- Preservation of the Holy Quran
- The Importance of Prayer (Salah)
- Etiquette of the Ritual Bath (Ghusl)
- Ablution (Wudoo)
- Prayer for Beginners (part 1 of 2): Beforeyou Pray
- Prayer for Beginners (part 2 of 2): A Description ofthe Prayer
- Spiritual Benefits of Prayer
- Medical Benefits of Prayer
- Manners of Relieving Oneself
- Menstruation
- Introduction to Dietary Laws in Islam
- An Introduction To Muslim Family (part 1 of 2)
- An Introduction To Muslim Family (part 2 of 2)
- Love of God and How to achieve it (part 1 of 2)
- Love of God and How to achieve it (part 2 of 2)
- An Introduction to Fasting
- How to Fast
- Eid and End of Ramadan
- Where Is Allah?
- Abraham (part 1 of 2)
- Abraham (part 2 of 2)
- Simple Explanation of Surah Al-Fatiha
- Simple Explanation of Three Short Surahs of Quran
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Level 3 (30)
- Beginners Guide to the Quran (part 1 of 3)
- Beginners Guide to the Quran (part 2of 3)
- Beginners Guide to the Quran (part 3 of 3)
- Beginners Guide to Hadith & Sunnah
- The Importance of Prayer
- Pre-requisites of Prayer
- Hygiene in Islam
- Bathing (Ghusl)
- Ablution (Wudoo)
- Performing Two Units of Prayer
- Performing Three Units of Prayer
- Performing Four Units of Prayer
- General Points About Prayer
- A Day in the life of a Muslim (part 1 of 2): From Waking uptill late Morning
- A day in the life of a Muslim (part 2 of 2): From Noon to Bed
- Fate of Non-Muslims
- Repentance (part 1 of 3): Door to Salvation
- Repentance (part 2 of 3): Conditions of Repentance
- Repentance (part 3 of 3): Prayers of Repentance
- Can We See Allah?
- Preservation of Sunnah (part 1 of 4)
- Preservation of Sunnah (part 2 of 4)
- Preservation of Sunnah (part 3 of 4)
- Preservation of Sunnah (part 4 of 4)
- Eating – The Islamic Way (part 1 of 2)
- Eating – The Islamic Way (part 2 of 2)
- Simple Explanation of Quran’s Greatest Verse: Aaya tul-Kursi
- Wiping Over Socks, Making Up Prayers, and Prayer of a Traveler
- Omens
- Charms and Amulets
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Level 4 (30)
- Adhan (part 1 of 2): The Call to Prayer
- Adhan (part 2 of 2): The Call to Prayer
- Shirk & its Types (part 1 of 3)
- Shirk & its Types (part 2 of 3)
- Shirk & its Types (part 3 of 3)
- Recommended Acts of Ritual Bath (Ghusl)
- Reflections on Surah al-Fatiha (part 1 of 3)
- Reflections on Surah al-Fatiha (part 2 of 3)
- Reflections on Surah al-Fatiha (part 3 of 3)
- Dry Ablution (Tayammum)
- Introduction to Sects (part 1 of 2)
- Introduction to Sects (part 2 of 2)
- Protection from Evil (part 1 of 2)
- Protection from Evil (part 2 of 2)
- Perfecting Our Character
- Introduction to the Purification of the Soul (part 1 of 2)
- Introduction to the Purification of the Soul (part 2 of 2)
- The Islamic Dress Code (part 1 of 3)
- The Islamic Dress Code (part 2 of 3): Awrah & Mahrams
- The Islamic Dress Code (part 3 of 3): Prayer & Wisdom
- Satan: Humankind’s Worst Enemy (part 1 of 2)
- Satan: Humankind’s Worst Enemy (part 2 of 2)
- Supplication (part 1 of 2)
- Supplication (part 2 of 2)
- The Mercy of Allah (part 1 of 2)
- The Mercy of Allah (part 2 of 2)
- Role Models in Islam (part 1 of 2): TheFirst Generation of Muslims
- Role Models in Islam (part 2 of 2)
- Trials and Tribulations after Conversion (part 1 of 2): Allah’smercy is embedded in the difficulties of life
- Trials and Tribulations after Conversion (part 2 of 2)
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Level 5 (29)
- Manners of Attending a Mosque (part 1 of 2)
- Manners of Attending a Mosque (part 2 of 2)
- Good Habits for New Muslims to Develop
- Glimpses from the Life of Prophet Noah
- Friday Prayer (part 1 of 2)
- Friday Prayer (part 2 of 2)
- Glimpses from the Life of Prophet Ibrahim
- Marriage Advice (part 1 of 2)
- Marriage Advice (part 2 of 2): Practical Steps
- Rights & Responsibilities of Husbands & Wives
- The Nuts & Bolts of an Islamic Marriage
- Glimpses from the Life of Prophet Lot
- How to Deal with Sadness and Worry (part 1 of 2): Patience, Gratitude and Trust
- How to Deal with Sadness and Worry (part 2 of 2): Establish a relationship with Allah
- Glimpses from the Life of Prophet Yusuf
- Istikharah Prayer
- Glimpses from the Life of Prophet Ayub
- Easy Guide to Zakah (part 1 of 2)
- Easy Guide to Zakah (part 2 of 2)
- Glimpses from the Life of Prophet Musa
- Should I Change My Name?
- Glimpses from the Life of Prophet Isa
- Dealing with Doubts
- A Brief Biography of Prophet Muhammad (part1 of 2): The Meccan Period
- A Brief Biography of Prophet Muhammad (part 2 of 2): TheMadinan Period
- Drugs, Alcohol, & Gambling (part 1 of 2)
- Drugs, Alcohol, & Gambling (part 2 of 2)
- World of Jinn (part 1 of 2)
- World of Jinn (part 2 of 2)
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Level 6 (27)
- Voluntary Prayers
- Treatment of Animals
- Lying, Backbiting and Slander (part 1 of 2)
- Lying, Backbiting and Slander (part 2 of 2)
- Increasing Faith (part 1 of 2): Why faith is not always at asteady level
- Increasing Faith (part 2 of 2): Increase your faith (Imaan)and earn rewards
- Voluntary Fasts
- Signs of the Day of Judgment (part 1 of 2): The Minor Signs
- Signs of the Day of Judgment (part 2 of 2): The Major Signs
- Adultery, Fornication, & Pornography (part 1 of 2)
- Adultery, Fornication, & Pornography (part 2 of 2)
- Islamic Guidelines for Gender Interactions(part 1 of 2)
- Islamic Guidelines for Gender Interactions (part 2 of 2)
- Introduction to Shariah (part 1 of 2)
- Introduction to Shariah (part 2 of 2)
- Acts that Correspond to Human Nature (Sunan ul-Fitrah)
- Eid ul-Adha from A to Z (part 1 of 3)
- Eid ul-Adha from A to Z (part 2 of 3)
- Eid ul-Adha from A to Z (part 3 of 3)
- Innovation in Islam (part 1 of 2): Two Types of Bidah
- Innovation in Islam (part 2 of 2): Is this a bidah?
- Ramadan: The Last Ten Nights
- Umrah (part 1 of 2)
- Umrah (part 2 of 2)
- Concept of Sins in Islam (part 1 of 3)
- Concept of Sins in Islam (part 2 of 3)
- Concept of Sins in Islam (part 3 of 3)
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Level 7 (30)
- Parenting in Islam (part 1 of 2)
- Parenting in Islam (part 2 of 2)
- Major Sins in Islam (part 1 of 2): What is aMajor Sin?
- Major Sins in Islam (part 2 of 2): Major Sins and How toRepent from Them
- The Pilgrimage (Hajj) (part 1 of 3)
- The Pilgrimage (Hajj) (part 2 of 3)
- The Pilgrimage (Hajj) (part 3 of 3)
- The Rightly Guided Caliphs: Abu Bakr (part 1 of 2)
- The Rightly Guided Caliphs: Abu Bakr (part 2 of 2)
- The Rightly Guided Caliphs: Umar ibn Al-Khattab (part 1 of 2)
- The Rightly Guided Caliphs: Umar ibn Al-Khattab (part 2 of 2)
- The Rightly Guided Caliphs: Uthman ibn Affan (Part 1 of 2)
- The Rightly Guided Caliphs: Uthman ibn Affan (part 2 of 2)
- The Rightly Guided Caliphs: Ali ibn AbiTalib (part 1 of 2)
- The Rightly Guided Caliphs: Ali ibn Abi Talib (part 2 of 2)
- Events on the Day of Judgment (part 1 of 3): The Day Begins
- Events on the Day of Judgment (part 2 of 3):Before the Judgment
- Events on the Day of Judgment (part 3 of 3): Judgment Begins
- Interest in Islam (part 1 of 2)
- Interest in Islam (part 2 of 2)
- An Explanation of Surah Al-Asr
- The Questioning in the Grave (part 1 of 2): Death is not theEnd
- The Questioning in the Grave (part 2 of 2): Your Place untilthe Day of Judgment
- The Fruits of Taqwa (part 1 of 2)
- The Fruits of Taqwa (part 2 of 2)
- An Explanation of Surah Al-Ikhlas
- The Rights of Neighbours in Islam (part 1 of 2): The KindTreatment of Neighbours
- The Rights of Neighbours in Islam (part 2 of 2): Neighbours -Good and Bad
- Those Shaded when there is no Shade (part 1 of 2): Allah’sMercy made Manifest
- Those Shaded when there is no Shade (part 2 of 2): Strivingto be Shaded
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Level 8 (29)
- Sincerity in Worship: What is Ikhlas? (part 1 of 2)
- Sincerity in Worship: Ikhlas vs. Riyaa(part 2 of 2)
- Lawful Earning
- The Companions of Prophet Muhammad: Salman Al-Farsi
- The Companions of Prophet Muhammad: Bilal ibn Rabah
- The Companions of Prophet Muhammad: Ammar ibn Yassir
- The Companions of Prophet Muhammad: Zayd ibn Thabit
- The Companions of Prophet Muhammad: Abu Hurayrah
- Islamic Terms (part 1 of 2)
- Islamic Terms (part 2 of 2)
- Khushoo in Prayer
- Inviting Non-Muslims to the Right Path (part 1 of 3): Deliverthe Message in the Best Way Possible
- Inviting Non-Muslims to the Right Path (part 2 of 3): Tawheed First
- Inviting Non-Muslims to the Right Path (part 3 of 3): Inviting Family, Friends and Colleagues
- Trust & Reliance in Allah
- Who Is a Good Friend? (part 1 of 2)
- Who Is a Good Friend? (Part 2 of 2)
- Pride and Arrogance
- The Mothers of the Believers (part 1 of 2): Who are theMothers of the Believers?
- The Mothers of the Believers (part 2 of 2): Altruism & Alliances
- Getting Involved in the Muslim Community
- Ummah: The Muslim Nation
- Simplified Rules of Islamic Divorce (part 1 of 2)
- Simplified Rules of Islamic Divorce (part 2 of 2)
- The Role of a Muslim Scholar (part 1 of 2)
- The Role of a Muslim Scholar (part 2 of 2)
- The Benefits of Being a Muslim
- Sacred Cities; Mecca, Medina, & Jerusalem (part 1 of 2)
- Sacred Cities; Mecca, Medina, & Jerusalem (part 2 of 2)
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Level 9 (30)
- Prayers – Advanced (part 1 of 2)
- Prayers - Advanced (part 2 of 2)
- The Purpose of Life
- Why & How to Learn the Quran (part 1 of 2)
- Why & How to Learn the Quran (part 2 of 2)
- Miracles of the Prophets
- Meat of the People of the Book (part 1 of 2)
- Meat of the People of the Book (part 2 of 2)
- Dhikr (Remembering Allah): Meaning & Blessings (part1 of 2)
- Dhikr (Remembering Allah): Meaning & Blessings (part 2 of2)
- Intercession on Judgment Day (part 1 of 2)
- Intercession on Judgment Day (part 2 of 2)
- Virtues of the Quran (part 1 of 2)
- Virtues of the Quran (part 2 of 2)
- Good Morals (part 1 of 2)
- Good Morals (part 2 of 2)
- The Islamic Golden Age (part 1 of 2)
- The Islamic Golden Age (part 2 of 2)
- Social Media in Islam
- Leisure, Fun and Entertainment
- Astrology and Fortune-telling
- Miracles of Prophet Muhammad (part 1 of 2)
- Miracles of Prophet Muhammad (part 2 of 2)
- Bad Morals to Stay Away From (part 1 of 2)
- Bad Morals to Stay Away From (part 2 of 2)
- The Spiritual Benefits of Fasting and Charity
- Dream Interpretation
- Detailed Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Meccan Period (part 1 of 3)
- Detailed Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Meccan Period (part 2of 3)
- Detailed Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Meccan Period (part3 of 3)
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Level 10 (26)
- What is Jihad?
- Prophet Adam: Beginning of Humankind (part 1 of 2)
- Prophet Adam: Beginning of Humankind (part 2 of 2)
- An Explanation of Surah Az-Zalzalah
- Morals of Prophet Muhammad (part 1 of 2)
- Morals of Prophet Muhammad (part 2 of 2)
- Preserving the Environment
- Crime and Punishment in Islam (part 1 of 2)
- Crime and Punishment in Islam (part 2 of 2)
- Prostration of Forgetfulness
- Introduction to Hadith Terminology
- Detailed Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Madinan Period (part1 of 3)
- Detailed Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Madinan Period (part2 of 3)
- Detailed Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Madinan Period (part 3 of 3)
- Story of Creation (part 1 of 2)
- Story of Creation (part 2 of 2)
- Funeral Rites (part 1 of 2)
- Funeral Rites (part 2 of 2)
- Islamic Wills and Inheritance (part 1 of 2)
- Islamic Wills and Inheritance (part 2 of 2)
- Prophetic Narrations: Sincerity
- Understanding Media Stereotyping
- Health and Fitness (part 1 of 2)
- Health and Fitness (part 2 of 2)
- Intimate Issues
- Islam Began as Something Strange
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Belief in Divine Decree (part 2 of 2)
Description: If everything has been predestined by God, how does one have any freedom of will? The answer lies in this two part lesson.
By Imam Mufti
Published on 14 Dec 2011 - Last modified on 25 Jun 2019
Printed: 734 - Emailed: 2 - Viewed: 202,586 (daily average: 43)
Prerequisites
·An Introduction to Pillars of Islam and Articles of Faith (2 parts).
Objectives
·To learn the second two components that belief in divine decree entails, i-e everything happens by the Will of Allah and His Ability is perfect, and that Allah is the One who created everything.
·To clarify and dispel the confusion regarding the question of freedom of will.
Arabic Terms
·Qadr – divine decree.
(3) Allah’s Will Passes, and His Ability is Perfect
Whatever Allah wills comes to pass, and whatever Allah does not will does not happen. Nothing occurs in the heavens or on the earth without the Will of Allah. Hence, whatever is in the universe occurs by the Will of Allah, be it a divine act or actions of the creation:
“Had He so willed, he would indeed have guided you all.” (Quran 6:149)
If we were to say that something occurs in existence without Allah willing it, that would mean that things can occur without the Will of Allah, and that would be a shortcoming in Allah’s power and will. Rather, everything that occurs can only be if Allah wills it. If He did not will it to occur, it could have never come into being.
Likewise the actions of the creation occur by the Will of Allah:
“And you do not will except that Allah wills – Lord of the worlds.” (Quran 81:29)
No one can do anything except if Allah wills it to be, had He willed that they do not take place, they would not have occurred.
(4) Allah Created Everything
“He has created everything, and has measured it exactly according to its own measurement.”
“For it is He who creates everything and determines its nature in accordance with (His own) design.” (Quran 25:2)
This includes our characteristics and our deeds.
The human beings are created by Allah and so are the actions and statements that result from them. This is because the actions and the statements of a person are his characteristics; if the person is a creation, then so are his characteristics a creation of Allah.
“While Allah has created you and what you do.” (Quran 37:96)
We are given the physical ability and a choice. Our abilities like intelligence and memory differ just like our characteristics like height, weight, and color. Also, we are given a will and have a choice.
If one of them does not exist, the act would not be performed. The One who has created the choice and the ability is Allah, the Creator of the cause and the effect. Since Allah has created both, the ability and the choice in us, hence the acts that we perform are also created by Allah.
Human Freedom of Will
Islamic belief in the divine decree (Qadr), every human act both in material and spiritual life is predestined, keeps human liberty intact without denying divine interference in human affairs. It does not undermine the principle of man’s moral freedom and responsibility. Man is not a helpless creature borne along by destiny. It is incorrect to believe the action of fate is blind, arbitrary, and relentless.
All is known, but freedom is also granted.
Man is responsible for his acts. Lethargic nations and individuals indolent to ordinary affairs of life are to blame themselves, not Allah. Man is bound to obey the moral law; and he will receive merited punishment or reward as he violates or observes that law. However, if such is so, man must have it in his power to break or keep the law. Allah would not hold us responsible for something unless we were capable of doing it:
“Allah does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear.” (Quran 2:286)
“So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can.” (Quran 64:16)
Everyone knows the difference between being compelled to do something and being free; having the choice of doing it, between a gun put to one’s head and being free in making decisions.
Some people mistakenly imagine the divine decree of each individual’s future life is so rigorously predetermined in all its details by Allah that his own volitions or desires have no power to alter the course of events. It defeats common sense to reject faith or commit a sin even before knowing whether or not it was destined! Everyone has the ability to choose between righteousness and evil, so how can a person willfully choose the road to perdition and use the divine decree (Qadr) as an excuse? It is more appropriate to walk on the blessed path and attribute it to one’s destiny. Allah knows from eternity with infallible certainty who will be saved and doomed, while Allah has this infallible foreknowledge, we, on our part, cannot have an absolutely certain assurance as to how we will end. The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, spoke the truth when he said:
“Seek what is beneficial to you, and ask Allah for help. Do not lose hope, and if something were to afflict you, do not say ‘If I had done so and so’, because saying ‘If’ opens the doors for the devil.”
“If he is from the successful ones, then the deeds of the successful ones are made easy for him.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
Previous Lesson: Belief in Divine Decree (part 1 of 2)
Next Lesson: Study Methodology for a New Muslim
- The Testimony of Faith
- An Introduction to Pillars of Islam and Articles of Faith (part 1 of 2)
- An Introduction to Pillars of Islam and Articles of Faith (part 2 of 2)
- Some Common Questions by Recent Converts
- Importance of Seeking Knowledge
- Paradise (part 1 of 2)
- Paradise (part 2 of 2)
- The Night Journey
- How to Pray for a Recent Convert(part 1 of 2)
- How to Pray for a Recent Convert (part 2 of 2)
- Breaking the News to Family (part 1 of 2)
- Breaking the News to family (part 2 of 2)
- Getting Adjusted To the Muslim Community
- Keeping Good Company
- Belief in Allah (part 1 of 2): The Categories of Tawheed
- Belief in Allah (part 2 of 2): Shirk, the Opposite of Tawheed
- Belief in Prophets
- Belief in Scriptures
- Belief in Angels
- Belief in the Day of Judgment
- Belief in Divine Decree (part 1 of 2)
- Belief in Divine Decree (part 2 of 2)
- Study Methodology for a New Muslim
Belief in Divine Decree (part 2 of 2)
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