Question:
A question asked by a non-Believer is that if Allah has written in fate what a person would do good or bad before a person is created then why will he punish for doing something bad?
Answer:
What is meant by saying: “Whatever is happening in this world is happening according to Taqdeer (Fate)” is that everything is happening according to the knowledge of Allah. Allah Ta’ala is aware of what one will do after stepping into the world. This same knowledge of Allah is written in the Lowhe Mahfooz (preserved tablet) and this is Taqdeer. When a person is born, all his actions coincide with whatever was written in the Lowhe Mahfooz because Allah Ta’ala’s knowledge is complete and perfect. It does not mean that Allah Ta’ala has written ones Taqdeer beyond ones capabilities and now he is forced to act according to the written Taqdeer.
This can be understood from an example of a person who has the full knowledge of a certain computer program as how it works and what it displays. Now if this person notes down whatever the program displays and how it works then forwards to another person who, after using the program, finds that everything coincides with the notes forwarded to him, it will be said that so and so is well acquainted with the program. It will not be said that the computer was forced to act according to the notes that is why whatever was displayed coincided with the notes.
This is just an example of the knowledge of a human being. Allah Ta’ala’s knowledge is much greater. Therefore whatever one does in this world is through his will and option and for the same reason he will be liable for reward or punishment. The reason why ones own actions coincides with Taqdeer is because Allah has knowledge of all ones actions that will take form from before and there is no deficiency in the knowledge of Allah Ta’ala.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
11 May 2004
20 Rabee’ul Awwal 1425