Key beliefs in IslamAl Qadr and Freedom

Al Qadr is the belief in predestination. This means that Allah already knows everything that will happen. However, this doesn’t mean that the choices people make are not free choices. Rather, Allah simply knows what those choices are going to be before they are made.

There is evidence of Al Qadr in the Qur’an: The Lord has created and balanced all things and has fixed their destinies and guided them. (Qur’an 87:2)

The belief in free will is essential in Islam. This is because, for Muslims, life is a test from Allah. Therefore, all human beings must make their own decisions, and they will be judged on those decisions by Allah. On the Day of Judgement, God will reward those who have had faith and done good deeds and punish those who have not. So, God judges people on their choices, not on the destiny already decided for them. The Qur’an confirms this:

Muslims use the term ‘insha’Allah’ frequently in conversation to express belief in Al Qadr. Insha’Allah means ‘if God is willing’ or ‘if God wills it to be so’. For example, a Muslim might say, “Next summer, I will get a good grade in GCSE Religious Studies and go on to study it at A Level, insha’Allah.”

This person does not mean that they can just sit back and hope to get a good grade because it is Allah’s will. They will still need to work really hard. However, if they do not get a good grade, they will know that it is not because of their lack of effort – instead, it was not the will of Allah for them to achieve a good grade. Believing that Allah is good and merciful will give the person encouragement that there will be a different, but good, alternative future path for them.