Human will and determination bound by Allaah's Decree
Fatwa No: 286615

Question

As-salaamu 3laikum, I just want to check if my understanding of al-Qadr is correct. I understood it to be general, meaning everything has been decreed including our thoughts and intentions. however, whenever I read any explanation about this, the examples given are usually actions and events. So I just want to check that our thoughts and intentions are also predestined. Jazaakum Allahu khair

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The revealed texts affirm that everything exists by the Decree of Allaah. Allaah says (what means): {Indeed, all things We created with Qadar (predestination).} [Quran 54:49]

Taawoos said: "I met some people from among the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah who said that everything happens by Qadar. And I heard ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar say: everything happens by Qadar, even helplessness and cleverness." [Muslim]

This generalization includes everything; it includes actions of the heart, actions of the limbs, words and deeds.

What confirms that the will is bound by Allaah's Predestination is that Allaah says (what means): {And you do not will except that Allaah wills. Indeed, Allaah is ever Knowing and Wise.} [Quran 76:30] The verse confirms that the will is bound by Allaah's Predestination.

Abu Nu‘aym narrated that Ahmad ibn Yoonus said: "Sufyan Ath-Thawri was asked: How do you know your Lord? He replied: "By the removal of my resolve and the breaking down of my determination.""

Allaah Knows best.

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