Allah Does Not Force People Into Kufr:
Belief In al-Qadaa' Wa'l-Qadar (Divine Will And
Decree)
Islamic Rulings -
Living Shariah Verdicts
Islamic Questions & Answers
We read in many aayahs of the Qur'aan that
Allaah says that He places a veil over the hearts of
the kaafirs and a seal over their eyes, and He has
made them deaf and blind to the truth. We also know
that Allaah does not force anyone into kufr, so how
can we understand these aayahs?
Praise be to Allaah.
Shaykh al-Shanqeeti (may Allaah have mercy on him)
said:
The answer is that Allaah has explained in many verses
of His Book those impediments which have been placed
on their hearts, ears and eyes, such as seals and
veils, have been placed on them as a suitable
recompense for their previous kufr and for their
disbelieving in the Messengers by choice. So Allaah
has turned their hearts away by placing upon them a
seal and veils etc, as a punishment for their kufr.
Among the aayahs that indicate that is the verse
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Allaah has set a seal upon their hearts because of
their disbelief"
[al-Nisaa' 4:155]
This a clear Qur'aanic text which states that their
previous kufr is the reason for the seal upon their
hearts. And Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"So when they turned away (from the path of Allaah),
Allaah turned their hearts away (from the Right Path)"
[al-Saff 61:5]
This is also a clear indication that the reason why
Allaah has turned their hearts away is their initial
turning away. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"That is because they believed, and then disbelieved;
therefore their hearts are sealed, so they understand
not"
[al-Munaafiqoon :3]
"In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy)
and Allaah has increased their disease"
[al-Baqarah 2:10]
"And We shall turn their hearts and their eyes away
(from guidance), as they refused to believe therein
for the first time, and We shall leave them in their
trespass to wander blindly"
[al-An'aam 6:110]
"Nay! But on their hearts is the Raan (covering of
sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn"
[al-Mutaffifeen 83:14]
and there are other aayahs which speak of the seal on
their hearts and say that their being prevented from
understanding that which may benefit them is a
punishment for their previous kufr. What we have
mentioned here is a refutation of the specious
arguments of the Jabariyyah who continually refer to
these aayahs and others from the Holy Qur'aan.
Belief In al-Qadaa' Wa'l-Qadar (Divine Will And
Decree)
What is the status of sabr (patience) in
Islam? What should the Muslim bear with patience?
Praise be to Allaah.
Belief in al-Qadaa' wa'l-Qadar (Divine will and
decree) is one of the pillars of faith. The Muslim's
faith is not complete unless he knows that whatever
befalls him could not have missed him, and whatever
misses him could not have befallen him. Everything is
subject to the will and decree of Allaah, as Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine
Preordainments of all things before their creation as
written in the Book of Decrees Al Lawh Al Mahfooz).
[al-Qamar 54:49]
The position of patience in relation to faith is like
that of the head in relation to the body. Patience is
a noble attribute with good consequences. Those who
are patient will have an unlimited reward, as Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Only those who are patient shall receive their reward
in full, without reckoning" [al-Zumar 39:10]
All the disasters and tribulations that happen on
earth, or happen to the individual, or to his wealth
or family, etc., were known to Allaah before they
happened, He has written them in al-Lawh al-Mahfooz
(the Preserved Tablet) as He says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but
it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al Lawh Al
Mahfooz) before We bring it into existence. Verily,
that is easy for Allaah" [al-Hadeed 57:22]
No matter what disasters befall a person, it is good
for him, whether he knows that or not, because Allaah
does not decree anything but it is good, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Say: ‘Nothing shall ever happen to us except what
Allaah has ordained for us. He is our Mawlaa (Lord,
Helper and Protector).' And in Allaah let the
believers put their trust"[al-Tawbah 9:51]
Every disaster that happens, happens by Allaah's
leave. If He had not willed it, it would not have
happened, but Allaah permitted it to happen and
decreed it, and so it happened. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"No calamity befalls, but by the Leave [i.e. Decision
and Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] of Allaah, and
whosoever believes in Allaah, He guides his heart [to
the true Faith with certainty, i.e. what has befallen
him was already written for him by Allaah from the
Qadar (Divine Preordainments)]. And Allaah is the
All-Knower of everything"[al-Taghaabun 64:11]
Once a person knows that all calamities happen by the
will and decree of Allaah, then he has to believe and
submit and be patient. The reward for patience is
Paradise, as Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken
garments, because they were patient"[al-Insaan 76:12]
The call to Allaah (da'wah) is a great mission, and
the one who undertakes it is exposed to a great deal
of harm and calamities. Hence Allaah enjoined patience
upon His Messenger and other Prophets:
"Therefore be patient (O Muhammad) as did the
Messengers of strong will" [al-Ahqaaf 46:35 –
interpretation of the meaning]
Allaah has guided the believers, if some matter
worries them or some calamity befalls them to seek
help with patience and prayer, so that Allaah will
relieve their distress and give them a way out:
"O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salaah
(the prayer). Truly, Allaah is with As-Saabiroon (the
patient)"
[al-Baqarah 2:153 – interpretation of the meaning]
The believer must bear with patience that which Allaah
has decreed, and be patient in obeying Allaah, and be
patient in keeping away from sin. Whoever is patient,
Allaah will give him an immeasurable reward on the Day
of Resurrection, as Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"Only those who are patient shall receive their reward
in full, without reckoning" [al-Zumar 39:10]
The believer in particular is rewarded in both good
times and bad. The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: "How wonderful is the affair
of the believer, for all his affairs are good, and
that is for no one except the believer. If something
good happens to him, he gives thanks, and that is good
for him, and if something bad happens to him, he bears
it with patience and that is good for him." (Narrated
by Muslim, no. 2999)
Allaah has taught us what we should say when calamity
strikes, and has stated that those who are patient
will have an honourable position with their Lord.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"… but give glad tidings to As Saabiroon (the
patient).
Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: ‘Truly, to
Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall
return'"[al-Baqarah 2:155-156]
From Usool al-Deen al-Islami by Shaykh Muhammad ibn
Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri
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