Why is the concept of Destiny or ‘Taqdeer’ so confusing?

Coincidentally, I got two people asking similar questions. Here’s one of them:

“i hav a very DIFFERENT question. my question is ” IF ‘Allah (SWT)’[SWT] HAS WRITTEN EVERYTHING[TAQDEER] BEFORE OUR BIRTH & IF ANYTHING WHAT EVER IT MAY BE EITHER GOOD OR BAD HAPPENS BY THE PERMISSION OF ‘Allah (SWT)’[SWT] THEN,
“”" IF V DO ANY SIN [ SMALL OR BIG ], IS IT ALSO DONE BY THE PERMISSION OF ‘Allah (SWT)’[SWT]??????? I MEAN ‘IF V DO SOMETHING MAY IT BE GOOD OR BAD’
I M NOT ABLE TO EXPLAIN & THIS CONCEPT”

This is a very logical question that everyone who has some understanding and knowledge of the Islam will get. Insha’Allah (SWT), there is nothing to worry about. On the contrary, we should be happy that we’re thinking about our deen unlike most people who don’t really care to even think for a moment why they’re in this world.

Coming to the answer, Alhamdulillah.. the concept is very clear and easy for whom Allah (SWT) makes it easy. The first thing we need to understand is that Allah (SWT) has created us with the ability to choose what we want. In other words, Allah (SWT) does not compel us to do something.

It is true that everything is under Allah (SWT)’s control. Allah (SWT) has decreed all our actions, good and bad. But that does not mean that Allah (SWT) wants us to do bad things. If that were true, then putting the sinners in hell would be unjust. Allah (SWT), with his perfect knowledge, knows what we are going to do and this is what is meant by decree. The simple fact that you can ask this question means that you are not being forced, but are able to think and then ask this question.

To sum this up:

- All bad and good deeds happen by the permission of Allah (SWT)
- But only the good deeds have Allah (SWT)’s good pleasure and the bad deeds don’t
- And humans and jinn make the choice.. not Allah (SWT)

Finally, to understand this concept better, here’s an example: Take a classroom. If there is a group of students and a teacher instructs them for one full year. During that time, the teacher knows each student well. How smart each student is, How hard working, How disciplined. Based on her observation, a teacher is able to guess, which student will do well in the exam and which student wont. Now, looking at this situation, would you say that the bad students failed because the teacher said so. Of course not! The teacher had experience, therefore she knew. But it was the students who decided to study well or not and the end result came out accordingly. Similarly, Allah (SWT)’s knowledge is perfect and he is able to say with sureness who will go to hell and who will go to heaven. But the end result is in the hands of the people.

I hope this clears the concept of taqdeer or destiny, Insha’Allah (SWT). Please read the post more than once if this seems confusing to you and I hope Allah (SWT) helps us all understand his deen.

Additionally, we must affirm and believe in all the aspects of Taqdeer that have been affirmed by the sharee’ah. We must believe in all the parts that we understand and the one’s we do not understand.

I also suggest that you visit this site to gain a better understanding of the subject.

Whatever is wrong is from my own self and I seek Allah (SWT)’s forgiveness for that and whatever is true and right is from Allah (SWT).

Allah (SWT) knows best.

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Abu Mus'ab

Abu Mus'ab

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4 Responses to “Why is the concept of Destiny or ‘Taqdeer’ so confusing?”

  1. The other side of Taqdeer is that a child birth takes place in a non muslim family he will be remain non muslim till his death, only in rear cases he may convert his religion. It means it is in his Taqdeer that he will be remain non muslim and will go to hail.
    pls clarify it.

    [Reply]

  2. Well I wouldn’t look at it that way.

    Unless the child dies young (in which case the matter is in the hands of Allah (SWT)) everyone has the ability to observe and choose.

    Also, there is an opinion among scholars that those kaafirs who did not receive the message of Islam will have to face a test on the day of judgement, after which, either they will go to hell or paradise.

    We must keep in mind and have faith that Allah (SWT) will not unjustly cast anyone in hell fire. Each soul will get what it sent forward.

    And Allah (SWT) knows best.

    [Reply]

  3. Well Brothers i have read all what have been written here 1st of all we are not suppose to discussing it and secondly as one of my friend said that if a child born in a non muslim family then what is his sin if he become a non musli well dear my brother abu musa ‘ab explained it well but one more adding to it that this is a system made by GOD and if u can see Islam is a largest religion and spreading faster then before when some one come under the umbraila of islam no doubt about it that Allah (SWT) subhan u tala have blessed him with that but being a ashrufull makholokaat he chose the right path, as u said takdir is already written so my dear yes takdir is already written and do u think that and would u be sure that GOD have written only one takdir for one human being may be have written 1000’s of them and just want human to choose the proper path even if he choose the wrong one. As when first human Hazrat Adam Alehay slam came to life then Allah (SWT) subhan e tala said to mlaike that i have given the right to chose to remeber and to decide to my this creation so bow in front of him because he is better then u…. please if i am wrong some where for give me and do send me the reply on adnankb@hotmail.com
    Allah (SWT) HAFIZ to all

    [Reply]

  4. [...] Divine Decree or Taqdeer: I’ve posted about this on this blog before. However, the intention was not to raise a debate. It was to simplify an issue that may seem [...]

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