A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Taqdir – Predestination
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The belief in
taqdir
is to acknowledge that God’s power is limitless.
His Decree is eternal. No one can come in the way of fulfilling His
decrees. His knowledge is eternal. That is, whatever happens, is
happening, or is to happen in future, is in the knowledge of God
beforehand. Nothing pertaining to the past, present or future is
concealed from His view .He is abreast of all the minutest details of
this universe. Everything that has been or will be depends entirely
on His foreknowledge and sovereign will.
There is some misunderstanding about this belief in
taqdir
. There
are certain people who believe that man is totally helpless. This is
not true. There is no doubt about it that it is what God decrees
which takes place. No one can change His
taqdir
. But it is also true
that man has been granted by God wisdom, freedom and will
power. This is quite exceptional, for the rest of the objects of the
universe have not been granted any free will; they have to follow
the path set for them by God. But the case of man is different. He
has been given the power of discrimination between good and bad.
Then he has also been granted the freedom to choose one course
and leave another. For instance, according to Islam, just as disease
is a
taqdir
of God, so is its remedy. Therefore, if one falls ill he
may counter it with the other
taqdir
of God, that is he may take
medicine for it. Similarly, good or evil both are God’s
taqdir.
Now
man has the freedom to opt for whatever
taqdir
he think fit.
