Ramadan 15, 1447 (March 4, 2026)
Assalaamun Alaykum Warahmatullah Taallah Wabarakatuhu
*Belief in Divine Decree (Al-Qadar)*
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. We praise Him, we seek His help and forgiveness, and we bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner. We bear witness that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His servant and Messenger.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Among the six Articles of Faith in Islam is belief in Divine Decree—Al-Qadar. It is the conviction that Allah has complete knowledge, power, and control over all things.
Nothing happens in the heavens or on earth except by His will and wisdom.
Belief in Qadar means we affirm four essential truths: that Allah knows all things; that He has recorded all things; that whatever occurs happens by His will; and that He is the Creator of all things. Before we were born, before the earth was formed, Allah’s knowledge encompassed every event—every joy and every hardship, every success and every trial.
Yet, dear believers, understanding Qadar does not mean we are forced or powerless. Allah has granted human beings choice and responsibility. We choose our actions, and we are accountable for them. At the same time, we trust that Allah’s decree surrounds and encompasses our lives with wisdom that may be beyond our understanding.
Belief in Qadar brings peace to the heart. When something good happens, we thank Allah and remain humble, knowing it is from Him. When hardship strikes, we are patient and steadfast, knowing it is by His decree.
The believer does not collapse in despair nor become arrogant in success. Instead, he lives between gratitude and patience.
Consider the life of Muhammad (peace be upon him). He faced rejection, persecution, and loss, yet he trusted completely in Allah’s plan. When he was forced to migrate from Makkah to Madinah, it seemed like a loss—but it became the foundation of a flourishing community. What appeared as hardship was, in reality, divine wisdom unfolding.
Dear brothers and sisters, Qadar teaches us reliance (tawakkul). We strive, we work, we plan—but we place our trust in Allah. A farmer plants seeds but knows that growth comes from Allah. A student studies diligently but knows that success comes by Allah’s permission. Effort is required, but outcomes belong to Him.
Belief in Qadar also protects us from regret and anxiety. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that if something befalls us, we should not say, “If only I had done such and such,” but rather say, “Qaddarallāhu wa mā shā’a faʿal—Allah has decreed, and what He wills, He does.” Excessive regret opens the door to despair, but trust in Allah closes it.
In times of difficulty—economic hardship, illness, insecurity—we remind ourselves that Allah is Al-Ḥakīm, the Most Wise.
Even when we cannot see the reason, we trust that His decree carries hidden mercy.
Let us strengthen our faith in Qadar. Let us combine effort with reliance, patience with hope, and gratitude with humility.
_________Let us ponder
👇
Is Allah Wrong About Muslim Brotherhood? (Audhubillah)
Many Muslims from the subcontinent complain about racism they face in some Arab countries. Many Bangladeshis complain about racist treatment at the hands of some from Pakistan.
UAE and Saudi Arabia got together and sanctioned Qatar. In the 90s, Iraq attacked Kuwait.
Yet, Allah says: “Indeed the believers are but brothers.” (Qur’an 49:10)
So was Allah wrong about Muslim brotherhood?
No. Allah is not describing the current reality.
He is setting the standard, a mission we strive to achieve.
When the Ummah was united, racism declined. When we fractured into nation-states — like today — it has risen again.
But Allah’s rule hasn’t changed. The mission hasn’t changed.
We are still one brotherhood.
If reality doesn’t reflect that, then it’s our duty to change the reality – starting with ourselves and teaching our brothers.
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May Allah make us among those who accept His decree with contentment, who trust Him in every condition, and who meet Him with hearts at peace. Ameen!
Ramadan Mabrouq
