Chapter 2 - The Divine Decree

📌 1. The Beginning of Destiny – The First Creation: The Pen (Al-Qalam)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

"The first thing that Allah created was the Pen. He said to it, ‘Write.’ The Pen said, ‘What should I write?’ Allah said: ‘Write what will happen until the Day of Judgment.’"
(Sunan Abu Dawood 4700 – Sahih)

This Pen is not like any pen we know—it was created before any universe, any angel, or any human. Its task was not drawing or art—it wrote everything that will ever happen.

📌 This includes:

• Every soul that will be born
• Every breath taken
• Every leaf that will fall
• Every word, tear, moment—all written with divine wisdom

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📖 2. What is Qadar (Divine Decree)?

Qadar (القدر) means Allah’s perfect knowledge, planning, and control of everything that happens—past, present, and future.

It is one of the six pillars of Iman (faith):

The Prophet ﷺ said:
"To believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in Qadar, the good and bad of it."
(Sahih Muslim 8)

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🧠 3. The 4 Levels of Qadar (According to Ahlus Sunnah Scholars):

1️⃣ Knowledge (العلم)
Allah knows everything—before it happens.

“Indeed, Allah knows all things.”
(Surah Al-Anfal 8:75)

2️⃣ Writing (الكتابة)
Everything is written in Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz (The Preserved Tablet).

"No disaster strikes except that it is written in a Book before We bring it into existence."
(Surah Al-Hadid 57:22)

3️⃣ Will (المشيئة)
Nothing happens except by Allah’s Will.

“And you do not will, except that Allah wills.”
(Surah At-Takwir 81:29)

4️⃣ Creation (الخلق)
Allah is the Creator of all actions, but humans have free will to choose.

“Allah created you and what you do.”
(Surah As-Saffat 37:96)

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💬 4. Do We Have Free Will or Is Everything Forced?

This is a big question, and Islam gives the most balanced answer:

✅ Yes, Allah knows everything.
✅ Yes, He wrote everything.
✅ But you still choose your actions—and you are responsible.

The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Everyone will find easy what he was created for.”
(Sahih Muslim 2647)

📌 That means:
If you choose good, Allah makes it easy for you.
If you choose evil, Allah allows it but warns you.

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❓ Can Qadar Be Changed?

✅ Some parts of Qadar are fixed (like your death, parents, etc.)
✅ Some parts can be changed through dua, sadaqah, and good deeds.

"Nothing repels Qadar except du'a."
(Tirmidhi 2139 – Hasan)

“Whoever wishes to have his rizq (sustenance) increased and his life extended, let him maintain family ties.”
(Sahih Bukhari 5986)

📌 So du’a is powerful—not because it surprises Allah, but because it is part of His plan. He already knew you would make that dua!

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📜 5. Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz – The Preserved Tablet

This is a divine record where everything is written:

• All events
• All souls
• Every creation's fate
• Written before the heavens and earth were created

"Indeed, We have honored it in a Book, well-guarded."
(Surah Al-Buruj 85:21-22)

Only Allah and His chosen angels have access to it.

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🔥 6. Shaytan & Qadar – Does He Know the Future?

❌ No. Shaytan doesn’t know Qadar.
He only guesses, whispers, and deceives.
Only Allah knows the unseen (Al-Ghayb).

“Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen except Allah.”
(Surah An-Naml 27:65)

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🌟 7. How Should You React to Qadar?

✅ If something good happens:
Say: Alhamdulillah and thank Allah.

✅ If something bad happens:
Say: Qaddar Allah wa ma sha’a fa’al
"Allah has decreed, and He does what He wills."
(Sahih Muslim 2664)

The Prophet ﷺ said:
"If something befalls you, do not say: ‘If only I had done this…’ Instead say: ‘Qaddar Allah wa ma sha’a fa’al,’ for ‘if’ opens the door for Shaytan."
(Sahih Muslim 2664)

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🧘 8. The Comfort of Believing in Qadar

• You don’t have to carry the weight of regret forever.
• You don’t have to fear the future because it’s in Allah’s control.
• You work hard, make dua, and trust Allah with the result.

"Put your trust in Allah. Surely, Allah loves those who trust Him."
(Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:159)

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🛡️ 9. The 6th Pillar of Faith is Your Shield

Believing in Qadar helps you:

• Stay strong during loss
• Stay humble during success
• Stay grateful during blessings
• Stay hopeful during hardships

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📌 Summary of Chapter 2

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