Predestination in Islam
Islamic doctrine of divine decree and human responsibility.
Predestination in Islam, known as al-qaḍāʾ wa l-qadar or qadar, is the concept of divine destiny and decree. It is a core belief in Sunni Islam, where God is understood as all-knowing and all-powerful, with everything that has happened and will happen already known. At the same time, human beings are held responsible for their actions and will be rewarded or punished accordingly on Judgement Day.
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- Islamic theology
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- Concept of divine fore-ordainment and predestination in Islam
Lore & Background
In Sunni Islam, predestination is one of the six articles of faith, alongside belief in the Oneness of Allah, the Revealed Books, the Prophets, the Day of Resurrection, and Angels. The term qadar derives from the Arabic root Q-D-R, meaning measuring out, power, and decree. The phrase al-qaḍāʾ wa l-qadar refers to the divine decree and predestination, with al-qada’ being the complete judgment forever and al-qadar the particulars of that judgment. Some early Islamic schools, such as the Qadariyah and Muʿtazila, rejected predestination, arguing it was unthinkable that God would punish humans for what He Himself commanded. Predestination is not included in the Five Articles of Faith of Shi'i Islam, and at least one Shi'i scholar, Naser Makarem Shirazi, argues that belief in predestination is a denial of justice.
Reader's Guide
The concept of predestination in Islam has been a subject of theological debate since early Islamic history. The Quran contains verses that appear to support both divine control over all events and human free will, such as Q.9:51 stating nothing befalls but what God has destined, and Q.41:17 suggesting humans choose guidance or blindness. Hadith literature includes traditions that affirm belief in divine decree as part of faith, while also encouraging good deeds despite predestined outcomes. The tension between God's absolute control and human responsibility has led to the emergence of schools like the Qadariyya, who assert free will, and the Jabriyya, who reject it. The Muʿtazila argued against predestination on grounds of divine justice. In Sunni orthodoxy, the doctrine remains a central article of faith, with the phrase Insha'Allah ('if God wills') reflecting belief in divine will over future events. The legacy of this doctrine continues to influence Islamic thought, with some Shi'i scholars explicitly denying predestination as incompatible with God's justice.
Did You Know?
- The term qadar literally means 'power' in Arabic.
- Predestination is one of Sunni Islam's six articles of faith.
- The Muʿtazila school argued that predestination was 'unthinkable' because God would not punish humans for what He commanded.
- At least one Shi'i scholar, Naser Makarem Shirazi, argues that belief in predestination is a denial of justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is predestination in Islam?
Predestination in Islam, called al-qaḍāʾ wa l-qadar, is the theological principle that God's knowledge and decree encompass every event in existence. It holds that all outcomes are already known to the divine, while still placing moral accountability on human beings for the choices they make.
How does Islamic predestination coexist with free will?
Sunni theology reconciles the two by affirming that God knows in advance what every person will choose, yet each individual still makes genuine decisions and bears the consequences of those decisions. The believer is judged on the actions they actually performed rather than on a fixed script imposed upon them.
Is belief in predestination a pillar of Islamic faith?
Yes. Acceptance of qadar is traditionally listed among the six articles of faith (al-ʿaqīdah) in Sunni Islam, making it as essential a conviction as belief in God, angels, scripture, prophets, and the Day of Judgement.
What role does predestination play on Judgement Day?
On the Day of Judgement, each person is assessed for the deeds they carried out during their lifetime, and those deeds are met with divine reward or punishment. Predestination ensures that no act escapes God's knowledge, so the final accounting is complete and just.
Why is the concept of qadar important to Muslim theology?
It anchors the understanding that God is the ultimate source of all existence and that nothing occurs outside His awareness. At the same time, it preserves human moral agency, giving believers a framework in which effort, prayer, and ethical conduct remain genuinely meaningful.
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