Lesson 1: Belief in Divine Decree (Qadar), Building the Earth and Righteous Work

Definition

• Qada: God's eternal decree concerning things.
• Qadar: the bringing into being of that decree at its appointed time, in accordance with God's knowledge and wisdom.
• Believing in both is a pillar of faith; it gives the Muslim serenity and high ambition rather than weakness.

Evidence from the Qur'an

• "Indeed, all things We created with Qadar (predestination)" — al-Qamar 49.
• "Say: Nothing will ever befall us except what God has ordained for us" — at-Tawba 51.

What belief in Qadar produces

• Contentment and peace of mind in adversity, and no despair.
• Gratitude in prosperity, and no arrogance.
• Courage and steadiness, since lifespan and provision are in God's hands.

• The Muslim is commanded to work and strive, then to refer the outcome to God's will after making the effort.
• Belief in Qadar never justifies laziness or abandoning duties.

The balance between divine will and human choice

• God gave man reason, will and choice, and it is on that basis that he is held accountable.
• What is beyond a person's power is accepted with trust in God; what is within his power is pursued with effort.

The meaning of tawakkul

• Tawakkul is relying on God while taking every available means; true tawakkul is joined to action and never separates from it.

Positions that teach taking the means

• At the battle of Uhud the Prophet ﷺ appeared wearing two coats of armour and put on the dress of war, and his companions fought with him — he took both the material and the moral means of victory while trusting in God.
• He began his call secretly and sought protection in the seasonal fairs saying "Who will shelter me? Who will support me?" — again, taking the means.
• It is not correct for a caller to God to think that God will grant him victory without means merely because he is calling to God.

Statements and prophetic traditions

• Umar ibn al-Khattab (may God be pleased with him) said to those who gave up work claiming tawakkul: "Let none of you sit out of seeking provision while saying 'O God, provide for me', for you know that the sky does not rain gold or silver."
• The Prophet ﷺ said to a man who asked whether to leave his she-untethered: "Tie her and trust (in God)" — 'uqilha wa tawakkal.

Purpose of creation

• God created jinn and mankind for a noble purpose — worshipping Him: "I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me" — adh-Dhariyat 56.
• For the purpose to be complete, God placed man as a vicegerent on earth and entrusted it with its cultivation.

Istikhlaf (vicegerency)

• "And when your Lord said to the angels: I am placing on earth a vicegerent" — al-Baqara 30.
• God distinguished man with the qualifications — reason, knowledge and will — to bear the responsibility of that vicegerency.
• God sent messengers to guide him to the straight path and to build the earth in a way that accords with divine wisdom.

Building the earth

• "He has brought you into existence from the earth and asked you to thrive in it" — Hud 61.
• Cultivation includes: work and production, science and research, protecting the resources of the earth, and spreading justice and good.
• In Islam reason is a means to reflect on the universe for the good of humanity and the building of the earth; Islam does not contradict established scientific facts.

Its meaning

• Righteous work is every beneficial deed done sincerely for God and in a way that agrees with His law.
• It includes acts of worship, professional work, kindness to people, and repairing the environment and society.

Evidence

• "And say: Work, so God will see your deeds, and so will His Messenger and the believers" — at-Tawba 105.
• "The strong believer is better and more beloved to God than the weak believer, while in both there is good."
• "If the Hour begins while one of you has a seedling in his hand, let him plant it if he can before it comes." — the urgency of productive work.

• "But seek, among what God has given you, the home of the hereafter, and do not forget your portion of this world" — al-Qasas 77.
• "He is not the best of you who abandons his world for his hereafter, nor his hereafter for his world, until he takes both; for this world is the road to the hereafter." — Prophet ﷺ
• Ali ibn Abi Talib (may God be pleased with him): "Work for your world as though you will live forever, and work for your hereafter as though you will die tomorrow."
• Preferring this life over the hereafter deprives the community of God's help and support, as learnt from the battle of Uhud.
• Obedience to God and His Messenger is the path of salvation in both; disobeying the Prophet's command is the cause of loss.

• Serenity, peace of mind and strength of will.
• Seriousness in work and excellence in it, and rejection of passivity.
• Patience in trial and gratitude in blessing.
• Building a productive, mutually supportive community that cultivates and protects the earth.
• Middle course and moderation, avoiding extremism in religion or in worldly life.

• Qada and Qadar are a pillar of faith and do not contradict taking the means.
• Tawakkul is effort and striving together with the heart's reliance on God.
• Man is a vicegerent on earth, to worship God and build it.
• Righteous work is a core value; its fruit returns to the individual and to society.