Belief in the Divine Decree and Fate

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that trials and tests do not depart from the believing men and women - in their selves, including their health and body; in their children, such as illness, death, disobedience, or other things; and in their wealth, such as poverty, loss of trade, theft, poor living conditions, and little sustenance - until Allah expiates all their sins and misdeeds through that trial. Thus, when they meet Allah, they will have been purified from all the sins and misdeeds they perpetrated.

1. An aspect of Allah’s mercy toward his believing servants is that He expiates their sins by afflicting them with calamities and plights of this world.
2. A mere affliction expiates sins, provided there is Imān. If a person exhibits patience and does not become discontent, he will be rewarded.
3. A Muslim is encouraged to be patient in all matters, both pleasant and unpleasant. He should be patient in order to carry out Allah's commands and be patient in order to avoid His prohibitions, hoping for Allah's reward and fearing His punishment.
4. In the phrase "the believer, man or woman", he added the word 'woman' to put more emphasis regarding women; otherwise, if he had said "the believer" only, this would have also included women, for this matter is not restricted to men. So, if an affliction befalls a woman, she is also promised the same recompense of expiating her sins and misdeeds.
5. What alleviates the pains suffered by a person time after time is the merit he obtains as a result of the affliction.

سنن الترمذي (4/ 204) (2399). مسند أحمد (13/ 248) (7859). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (1/ 113). تطريز رياض الصالحين، لفيصل آل مبارك (ص51). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (1/ 273). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 80).

Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) said to ‘Atā’ ibn Abi Rabāh: Shall I show you a woman of the people of Paradise? ‘Atā’ said: Yes. He said: This black Abyssinian woman came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: I suffer from an illness that causes me to have seizures, and I become uncovered, revealing parts of my body without my awareness. So supplicate Allah to heal me. He (the Prophet) said: If you wish, be patient and you will enter Paradise, or, if you wish, I will supplicate Allah to cure you. She said: I will remain patient, then she said: Supplicate Allah that I do not become uncovered if I have a seizure, and he supplicated Allah for her.

1. Patience in enduring worldly trials leads to Paradise.
2. An-Nawawi said: It contains evidence that one who is afflicted with epilepsy receives the most complete reward.
3. The chastity and modesty of the female Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and their keenness on covering themselves, as this woman's greatest fear was that any part of her body might be exposed.
4. Ibn Hajar said: Choosing the stricter ruling over the concession is better for one who knows about himself that he is capable and is not weakened by adhering to what is strict.
5. Ibn Hajar said: It indicates that treating all illnesses through supplication and seeking refuge in Allah is more effective and beneficial than medicinal treatments. The impact of this on the body is greater than that of physical remedies. However, its efficacy depends on two conditions: 1. From the patient's side: sincerity of intention. 2. From the healer's side: the strength of their focus and heart through piety and reliance on Allah, and Allah knows best.
6. Ibn Hajar said: It contains evidence on the permissibility of abstaining from medical treatment.

صحيح البخاري (7/ 116) (5652). صحيح مسلم (4/ 1994) (2576). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (1/ 95). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (1/ 235).

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that the believer might be afflicted with personal, family, financial, or other crises. If he is patient, Allah will reward him. The more terrible the crisis, the greater the reward one gets from Allah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) further indicates that tribulations are a sign that Allah loves a believer, and that Allah's predetermination is inevitable. However, the person who is patient and content, Allah will reward him by being pleased with him. That indeed is a satisfactory reward. On the other hand, the person who is discontent and bitter with Allah's decree, Allah will be dissatisfied and angry with him. That is an appropriate punishment.

1. Afflictions expiate sins unless they lead to the abandonment of an obligation, like patience, or the perpetration of wrongdoing, like tearing up one’s clothes or slapping one’s cheeks.
2. It establishes the attribute of love for Allah Almighty in a way that befits His majesty.
3. An affliction to the believer is one of the signs of faith.
4. It establishes the attribute of contentment and discontentment for Allah Almighty in a way that befits His majesty.
5. It is recommended to show contentment with Allah’s decree and predestination.
6. It is prohibited to be discontent with Allah’s decree and predestination.
7. It urges us to endure afflictions patiently.
8. A person may dislike something whereas it is good for him.
9. It establishes Allah’s wisdom in His actions.
10. 3) One reaps what he sows.

كتاب التوحيد للإمام محمد بن عبد الوهاب، ت: د. دغش العجمي، مكتبة أهل الأثر, الطبعة الخامسة, 1435ه. الجديد في شرح كتاب التوحيد، لمحمد بن عبد العزيز السليمان القرعاوي, ت: محمد بن أحمد سيد, مكتبة السوادي، الطبعة: الخامسة، 1424ه. الملخص في شرح كتاب التوحيد، دار العاصمة، الرياض، الطبعة: الأولى 1422هـ - 2001م. جامع الترمذي، ت: أحمد شاكر, شركة مكتبة ومطبعة مصطفى البابي, الطبعة: الثانية، 1395هـ. صحيح الجامع الصغير , للألباني , المكتب الإسلامي.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that everything is decreed, even incapacity, which is failure to do what should be done - in matters of this world and the Hereafter - and procrastinating and delaying it beyond its due time; and even capacity, which is vigor and proficiency in matters of worldly life and the Hereafter; and that Allah Almighty had predestined capacity and incapacity, and everything that happens in the universe had already been known and willed by Allah.

1. The Hadīth demonstrates the Companions' belief in predestination.
2. Everything happens by Allah's predestination, even people's incapacity and vigor.
3. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were cautious and meticulous in conveying the Prophet's Hadīths.
4. We should believe in all predestination, including its pleasant and unpleasant aspects.

صحيح مسلم (4/ 2045) (2655)، إكمال المعلم (8/143)، شرح النووي على مسلم (16/205)، الفتح الرباني لترتيب مسند الإمام أحمد بن حنبل الشيباني (1/ 122).

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) relates that if Allah decrees and predestines that someone should die in a certain land where he does not exist, He makes a reason for him to go there, and so he goes and dies there.

1. The Hadīth confirms the verse that reads: {nor does any soul know in which land it will die.}

سنن الترمذي (4/ 23) (2146)، تحفة الأحوذي (6/ 299).

The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) asked his uncle Abu Tālib, while in the throes of death, to utter the testimony of faith, so that he could intercede for him with it on the Day of Judgment and testify that he was a Muslim. But he refused to utter it, fearing that the Quraysh would revile him and say that he embraced Islam out of fear of death and weakness! He said to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him): Were it not for that, I would have made you joyful by saying the testimony, fulfilling your wish and making you pleased. So, Allah Almighty revealed a verse indicating that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) cannot guide people in the sense of inspiring them to accept Islam, but it is Allah Almighty alone Who grants such guidance to whomever He wills; and that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) guided them by clarifying, showing, and calling them to the straight path.

1. The truth should not be renounced out of fear of what people say.
2. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) can only guide people by leading and showing them the right way, not by inspiring them to accept guidance.
3. It is permissible to visit a sick disbeliever to invite him to Islam.
4. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen on calling people to Allah Almighty in all circumstances.

صحيح مسلم (1/ 55) (25)، البحر المحيط الثجاج في شرح صحيح الإمام مسلم بن الحجاج (1/ 539)، النهاية في غريب الحديث والأثر (ص 742).

Ibn Mas‘ūd reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) related to us, and he is the truthful one in his speech, and the trusted one, as Allah Almighty endorsed him. He said: The creation of each one of you is brought together. When a man copulates with his wife, his scattered semen is brought together in the woman's womb as a sperm-drop for forty days. Then, he becomes a clinging clot for another forty days. Then, he becomes a lump, which is a piece of chewable flesh, for a third period of forty days. Then, Allah sends to him the angel, who breathes life into him after the end of the third period. The angel is commanded to write four things: his sustenance, which is the amount of bliss he will gain during his lifetime; his lifespan, which is the duration of his stay in this world; and his deeds, as to what they will be; and whether he will be miserable or happy. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) swore that a person might perform the righteous deeds of the people of Paradise, as they outwardly seem, and he continues in this state until there is only an arm's length (a cubit) between him and Paradise; that is, only a cubit separates him from reaching Paradise. But then destiny overtakes him, and thereupon he performs the deeds of the people of Hellfire, and they become his last deeds, and so he enters Hellfire. This is because it is required for a person's virtuous deeds to be accepted and that he continues to do them and not change course. There is another type of people, who perform the deeds of the people of Hellfire until they are close to entering it, as if only a cubit is separating between them. But then destiny overtakes them, and they begin to perform the deeds of Paradise, and they enter it.

1. It demonstrates the phases of human's creation.
2. Belief in the divine decree and predestination.
3. The outcome of things goes in the course determined by divine decree and predestination.
4. The Hadīth warns us of getting deceived by the appearance of deeds, for deeds are only judged by their endings.

صحيح البخاري (9/ 135) (7454)، (4/ 111) (3208). صحيح مسلم (4/ 2036) (2643). عمدة القاري شرح صحيح البخاري (15/ 130). شرح الأربعين النووية للعثيمين (ص: 84).

Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that one day, as a boy, he was riding behind the Prophet (ﷺ), and he said to him: I will teach you things by which Allah will benefit you: Be mindful of Allah by observing His commands and prohibitions, finding you engaged in acts of worship and piety, and not finding you committing sins and misdeeds. If you do so, your recompense will be that Allah will protect you from unpleasant things in this world and the Hereafter and support you in your matters wherever you go. If you want to ask for something, do not ask anyone but Allah, for He alone responds to those who ask. And if you need help, do not seek help except from Allah. You should be certain that no benefit will come to you, even if all the earth's inhabitants were to gather together to bring it to you, except if Allah had predestined it for you; and no harm will happen to you, even if all the inhabitants of the earth were to gather together to cause it to you, except if Allah had predestined it for you. Allah Almighty had written and predestined this matter according to His wisdom and knowledge, and whatever Allah had written cannot be changed. Whoever is mindful of Allah by preserving His commands and avoiding His prohibitions, Allah Almighty will be before him, knowing his state, supporting and aiding him. If a person obeys Allah in times of ease, Allah will grant him relief and a way out in times of hardship. Every servant should be content with what Allah has decreed for him, whether good or bad. In the face of trials and hardships, the servant must adhere to patience, for patience is the key to relief. When distress intensifies, relief comes from Allah, and whenever hardship occurs, Allah follows it with ease.

1. The Hadīth shows the significance of teaching children the religious matters of monotheism, ethics, and so on.
2. Recompense is of the same type as one's deed.
3. We are required to trust and rely upon Allah Almighty alone. He is the best Disposer of affairs.
4. We are required to believe in and be content with the divine decree and predestination and that Allah has predestined everything.
5. Whoever neglects the commands of Allah, Allah will abandon him and will not protect him.
6. It gives great news that when a person is tested with a hardship, ease is soon to come.
7. It contains solace and comfort to whoever is afflicted by a disaster or the loss of something dear, as suggested by his words: "And know that what had befallen you was not going to miss you, and what had missed you was not going to befall you." The first sentence provides comfort in case of the occurrence of something unpleasant, while the second addresses the loss of something dear.

سنن الترمذي (4/ 284) (2516). التحفة الربانية في شرح الأربعين حديثًا النووية (ص42). شرح الأربعين النووية، لابن عثيمين (ص200). فتح القوي المتين في شرح الأربعين وتتمة الخمسين، للعباد (ص69).