Home » KITAABUL IMAAN » QADR
Published by theMajlis.net

QADR

A fundamental requirement for the validity of Imaan is belief in Qadr or predestination.

The doctrine of Qadr is among the mysteries of Allah . It is not fully comprehensible to the human mind not can it be fully explained. Qadr is related toe the Eternity of Allah . Allah is the ONE and only uncreated, infinite Being. Hence, the conception of Qadr falls within the scope of Divine Eternity. Man and all creation are created, hence finite beings. Thus man's intellect and understanding are also finite and limited. A finite entity will necessarily be subjected to limitations. Therefore, the finite and limited mind of man cannot encompass or comprehend fully and in entirety a concept which in infinite and limitless.

It is because of the inability of the finite mind and intellect to grasp in totality the infinite, unlimited, uncreated and eternal realities and truths that Rasoolullah (SAW) forbade probing into the concept of Qadr. The following hadith will indicate the Shar'i attitude in relation to Qadr.

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates; “Once while we were disputing about the concept of Qadr, Rasoolullah (SAW) came upon us. (Seeing us debating the subject of Qadr) he became so much filled with anger that his face became red. His face reddened (with anger) to such an extent that it seemed that the seeds of a pomegranate were squeezed out on his cheeks. He exclaimed: ‘What! Have you been commanded with this?' , or he said: ‘What! Have I been sent to you for this? Verily, those before you were destroyed when they disputed in this question. I give you an oath! I give you an oath! (i.e. I command you) Do not dispute in it'.”

[Tirmidhi]

It is, therefore, not permissible to dispute about the mas`alah of Qadr which is a fundamental article of Imaan . The Mu'min should accept that Rasoolullah (SAW) formed the Ummah of the fundamental importance of Qadr for the validity of Imaan . Hence, irrespective of our failure to comprehend it, we believe in it. Qadr is related to the Eternal Attributes (sifaat) of Allah . It is, therefore, only logical that it will not be fully comprehensible to our minds.

The absolute essentiality of belief in Qadr for the validity of Imaan will be borne out by the following statement of the Sahaabi, Hadhrat Ubayy Bin Ka'b (RA):

“If you spend gold to the extent of Mount Uhad in the path of Allah, Allah will not accept it from you unless you believe in Qadr, and you know that whatever has befallen you could not have missed you, and that whatever has missed you could not have befallen you. If you die while holding a contrary belief to this, you will most assuredly enter the Fire.”

[Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah]

Many Sahaabah have narrated similar statements of Rasoolullah (SAW).

THE MEANING OF IMAAN BIL-QADR

Belief in Qadr means to believe that whatever happened, happens or will happen (be it good or bad) is with the Command, Will and Knowledge of Allah . The entire scheme and operation of entire creation is in accordance with His, Will and Command.

The greater the Yaqeen in this belief in the nature stated above, the greater will be man's submission to Allah and the greater will be his reliance on Allah while at the same time his hope and reliance on material agencies will be negated, i.e. he will not cherish any hope on anyone or anything besides Allah .

This, then, is the meaning of belief in Qadr. This is the belief of the Ahl-Sunnah Wal Jammat – the belief of Rasoolullah (SAW). Denial of this belief in Qadr is kufr.

In obedience to the order of Rasoolullah (SAW) we shall end the discussion on this belief. What has been stated above is sufficient for the understanding of the Mu'min and absolutely necessary for the validity of Imaan .

QABR OR BARZAKH

The qabr is the phase of existence which is after death and before Qiyaamat. This phase of life after death is termed Aalamul Barzakh. In this phase of life are both reward and punishment, comfort and hardship. The events of Barzakh occur to man in two forms:

12. Sometimes to only the rooh (soul).

13. Sometimes to both body and soul.

Thus punishment and reward affect sometimes only the soul and sometimes the body and the soul together.

The terms Qabr and Aalamul Barzakh apply to all those who have died irrespective of the way of death and the manner in which the body is disposed, be it burnt, eaten by wild animals or exposed on earth. All the events of the Qabr will occur to man. Thus man will be questioned, punished or rewarded in Barzakh, no matter how his body was disposed of.

A DH AAB IN THE QABR

Adhaab-e-Qabr or punishment in the grave is also among the beliefs of Islaam . Punishment in the qabr will be for two kinds of people:

14. For the Kuffaar.

15. For sinful Muslims.

MUNKIR AND NAKEER

Munkir and Nakeer are two angels who come to man after death to question him. They pose the following questions:

16. Who was your Rabb?

17. What is your Deen?

18. Who is this Man?

This third question refers to Rasoolullah (SAW). Rasoolullah (SAW) will be shown to the deceased and if he/she had died with Imaan , he/she will recognize Nabi-e-Kareem (SAW).

The correct answers to these questions are dependent on Imaan . If the person had died with Imaan he will readily answer the questions. Upon passing this test the deceased will sleep in comfort in a blissful state until the Day of Qiyaamah. A window from Jannat will be opened to wherever his place is in Barzakh, and he will sleep enwrapped in the heavenly fragrance of Jannat coming from the window. Each morning and evening he will be shown his ultimate abode in Jannat.

The Kuffaar and such sinful Muslims who died without repentance or were not forgiven by Allah will fail to answer these questions. The worst of horrors and punishment will then overtake them. Punishment for them will endure until Qiyaamat or as long as Allah desires.

Denial of the state of Barzakh and the punishment and reward of Qabr is kufr.

up
printer-friendly version | view as pdf | 408 reads