Taqdeer is part of Imaan. It is our belief that everything occurs through
the will of Allah Ta’ala and that Allah Ta’ala has the total knowledge of
what is going to happen. Allah Ta’ala is the Khaaliq (Creator) of actions
and man is the Kaasib (earner) of the actions. Allah Ta’ala created all
actions, be it evil or good, and then gave man the choice to choose one of
the two.
In the Hadith, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) mentioned, ‘There is no
person from amongst you except that Allah Ta’ala has written (destined) his
abode in Jahannam and his abode in Jannah.’ They (Sahaaba) asked, ‘O’
Rasulullah, should we not put our trust on our books, i.e. what has been
written for us. And leave out doing actions.’ Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi
Wasallam) replied, ‘Carry on doing actions. Everything will be made easy for
what it has been created for. As for those who are from the fortunate one’s,
then the actions of the fortunate one’s will be made easy for him and as for
those who are from the deprived one’s, the actions of the deprived ones will
be made easy for him.’ Then, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) recited the
Aayaat, ‘As for those who give (Sadaqah) and adopted God-fear, we will make
smooth for him the path of ease.’ (Mishkaat pg.20; Qadeemi)
Belief in Taqdeer should not spur a person to do evil actions, for example,
a person making excuse of Taqdeer says, ‘I will just sit and what Taqdeer is
written for me will occur. I am not going to do anything.’
This is totally contrary to the teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi
Wasallam). Rather, a person should adopt the plan and means to do something.
Thereafter, after the action has been done, the belief of Taqdeer comes in,
that whatever happened was through the will of Allah. (Islaahi Khutubaat;
Mufti Muhammad Taqi vol.7 pg.207)
In brief, Taqdeer refers to the Absolute knowledge of Allah Ta’ala of
everything even before its existence. Since the knowledge of Allah is
perfect, everything will take place exactly according to His knowledge, but
in the case of human deeds, through the choice of the individual.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai