We do not use the word "fate" in Islam. The word "fate" means "the power that determines the outcome of events before they occur". Some people believe in fate as an independent and invisible power that controls their destinies. Such people are called "fatalists". A Muslim is not a fatalist person. Muslims believe in Allah and only Allah has the power to predetermine anything. Allah is "al-Qadir" (the All Powerful or Omnipotent) and "al-'Aleem" (the All Knower, Omniscient). Since Allah has power over every thing, He must know every thing. He must know things before they happen, because if He knew things after they happened, He would not have full power over them. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala not only knows things, but He also decides and determines everything in His universe. Whatever happens in this world happens according to Allah's decision and plan. In Islamic terminology this principle is known as "al-qada wa al-qadar"(the decision and determination of Allah). It is a very important principle of Iman (faith).

Does this mean that we human beings have no freedom? It seems that way apparently to some people. One Western scholar put the problem very interestingly in the following words: "If God knows everything He must know the future, and if He knows the future, He must know the future acts of His creatures. But then His creatures must act, as He knows they will act. How then can they be free?" There are many people who became confused by looking at the problem in this way. There were also some Muslim thinkers who believed that human beings have no freedom. They were called "Jabriyah". The majority of Muslim scholars did not accept this position, they strongly criticized and condemned this position and considered it against the teachings of the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah.

The mainstream Muslim position is that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has the knowledge of all things and He has the power over all things. Allah, however, has also granted freedom to human beings. Allah's power and foreknowledge do not mean that human beings have no freedom, nor does Human freedom negate Allah's power and foreknowledge. Human beings are free only as much as Allah has granted them the freedom. However, in spite of our human freedom we are still under the control of Allah and within His knowledge. Allah will judge us according to the freedom and responsibility that He gave us. He knows very well how much freedom we have and to what extent we are able to exercise our freedom, each one of us in our own circumstances. It is for this reason that we say that only Allah is the True and Final Judge. In the Qur'an He is called "Ahkam al-hakimin" (the best of all the judges).

When we carefully examine our own selves and the world around us, we see two things very clearly. On the one hand we find ourselves overwhelmed by forces that are apparently beyond our decision and control, but on the other hand we do experience real freedom and we make our choices between various options.

Thus the truth is that we are free and we are determined both at the same time. Our freedom is very limited, nevertheless it does exist and it is the deciding factor for our responsibility and consequently for the eternal reward or punishment.

In the Qur'an Allah has spoken about His control and power as well as human freedom and responsibility. Both aspects are very clearly mentioned in the Qur'an. The best way to understand and interpret the Qur'an is to keep both of these aspects in mind. We should not emphasize our freedom at the expense of Allah's power and knowledge, nor should we speak about Allah's power and knowledge by negating and denying our own freedom and responsibility. Maulana Maududi -may Allah bless his soul- in his book Qada and Qadar (in Urdu) collected both types of verses from the Qur'an. Following a selection of these Qur'anic statements.

On Allah's Power And Control, See The Following Verses












But On The Human Freedom And Responsibility, Read The Following Verses














The Qur'an has no contradictions. Allah's power and knowledge and human freedom are not mutually exclusive. Whatever freedom we have is granted to us by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and we should use it to submit to Him freely and willingly. This is the honor that Allah has given us and for this honor angels were asked by Allah to bow in respect and honor of the progenitor of the human race Adam -may the peace of Allah be upon him.

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Allah is most powerful. He has power over our intentions, our decisions, our actions and the consequences of our actions. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, out of the knowledge, power and will of Allah. We should have full faith in this and should never think that there is any person or being who has power over and above Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. The Qur'an teaches us that, "There is no power except through Allah." (al-Kahf 18:39) "…The totality of power belong to Allah…" (al-Baqarah 2:165) We always say, "La hawla wa la quwwata illa bi-Allah" (There is no might and power except through Allah).

Allah has created this world with cause and effect. He has placed in this world some laws. Sometimes people call these laws the laws of nature but actually they are Allah's laws in nature. Allah has told us that we should learn these laws and should abide by them. If we ignore these laws we shall see the consequences, unless Allah grants us protection, for a wisdom or reason that He knows best.

Just as Allah has placed some laws in nature, He has also made some moral laws and has taught us these moral laws through His Prophets and Messengers. It is our duty to live by these moral laws also and we should maintain law and order on this earth. Allah has told us that those who violate His moral laws should be punished. Thus murderers, thieves, fornicators, adulterers should be punished, because they violate Allah's moral laws. They cannot make an excuse that they had no control over themselves.

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala knows how much control every person had over his/herself and the consequences of his/her action. His final judgment will be according to His knowledge, not according to our knowledge.

We should pay more attention to learning Allah's laws in nature and using this knowledge for our benefit and the benefit of humanity. We should also learn Allah's moral laws that He has given us through the Qur'an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him. We should try to live by these rules in our individual and collective life. We should not indulge in the questions of why did Allah do this and why did He not do that. Rather we should have trust in Allah and live our life in obedience to Him.

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