Taqdeer
Category:
Aqeedah & Beliefs
According to Madhhab:
Hanafi
Reference:
1440-158
Question:
Could the aspect of
Taqdeer be explained in detail as to whether we are forced or we have choice.
Some people say we do not have choice to do any good or stay away from evil
except through the help of Allah Ta'ala. What is correct?
Taqdeer be explained in detail as to whether we are forced or we have choice.
Some people say we do not have choice to do any good or stay away from evil
except through the help of Allah Ta'ala. What is correct?
Answer:
The issue of Taqdeer is a very sensitive and delicate issue. Taqdeer is an important belief and tenet of Islam. The person who does not believe in Taqdeer is not a Muslim. However, debating it and discussing it in depth can be dangerous for a person. Once when Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi rahmatullah alaihi was asked regarding Taqdeer, he answered by saying that we are not allowed to debate this matter and he further quoted the Hadeeth wherein it is mentioned that once Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam found the Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum having a discussion. Upon inquiring as to what was been discussed, the Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum replied that they were discussing Taqdeer. The face of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam turned red with anger and he said that have you people been created for this reason or have I been sent for this? Those who discuss this (debate/discusses it excessively) have been destroyed. (Fatawaa Mahmoodiyah vol.3 page 90-91)
Nevertheless, a brief explanation regarding Taqdeer is as follows: Allah Ta'aala has stipulated everything (what is going to happen, who is going to do what, what the result of that will be, sustenance, life-span, etc.) before even creating this world. Nothing happened, is happening or will happen against His Will, Desire and Decree. Together with that, Allah Ta'aala has placed man in this world and has revealed commandments instructing him how he should live. And Allah Ta'aala has granted him a choice to obey or disobey those commands although the consequences of that, what he will do and what it will result in has also been written already in his Taqdeer. However, since man does not know what has been decreed regarding his actions and end result (successful or not/Jannat or Jahannam), it is incorrect to adopt a care-free attitude and do bad actions saying that this has probably been decreed by Allah Ta'aala. Man is not like a stone/rock. Allah Ta'aala has granted him certain choices though that too is written in Taqdeer. Because the choice of doing good or bad has been afforded to him, we cannot say that man is forced to do anything. This belief (of being forced and not being given a choice) is what the Jabariyaah (a deviant sect) believe [Ref:Fataawa Mahmoodiyah vol.3 pg.89/90]
If a person gets too involved in deep discussions regarding Taqdeer, he can be misled. Therefore, we have been prohibited from delving too deep into this topic.
AND ALLAH TA'AALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST
ANSWERED BY: Najeeb Muhammad
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY: Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
Islamic Date: 18 Rabi'ul Awwal 1440 - English Date: 26 November 2018