By: Wali Ejaz
The book ‘Emaan-Bil-Qadr” is written by a renowned religious and spiritual scholar Dr. Tahir ul Qadri. Mr. Qadri has written one thousand books and his lectures on various topics are very popular. He is the founder of the ‘Minhaj-ul-Quran movement which is working in more than 90 countries.
The question of destiny is a constant source of confusion among students, scholars and common people. Debates on destiny are prohibited in Islam and Hadiths due to the complexities they can create. In this book, Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri has explained ‘the concept of Taqdeer’ in a very explicit manner. This book consists of three parts and 78 pages. It presents a succinct view of destiny on rational and logical grounds. The first part of the book clarifies the ‘philosophy of destiny’. The second part introduces us to a nexus of Qadr with various other concepts like justice, moral development and the concept of reward and punishments. The third part deals with the concept of ‘Qaza and Qadr’.
If we talk about the ‘first part’ it offers an easily understandable concept of ‘Taqdir’. It suggests that there are two unavoidable things that must be kept in consideration while talking about destiny. First is the creation of deeds, it means like many other creatures ‘deeds’ are also Allah’s creation. The second is earning of deeds, it means to do deeds whether good or bad. In simple words, creating deeds was Allah’s job and earning them is human’s area of jurisdiction. The belief of reward and punishment is inextricably linked with the earning of deeds. Allah has created humans and has bestowed them with the ability of decision-making. He has also apprised the people of advantages and disadvantages of right and wrong paths. So, it is duty of humans to take right path by using their noodle. Those people who say that If Allah has created everything then why should men be accountable for anything? Dr. Tahir ul Qadri presents a very intriguing answer to the question. Mr. Qadri says if someone stands in scorching heat of summer despite having a shading place then who is responsible? Is hot weather responsible or the person? Definitely, that person is responsible not the Allah’s system. Furthermore, Mr. Qadri educates the reader about the six steps to commit a deed in which ‘confusion between following duty or desire’, ‘pondering over the adaptation of a path whether you want to pick desire or duty’, ‘Making an intention’, ‘determination’, practical approach towards the deed you are intended and determined to achieve’ and ‘Result of what have you done’ are included. Allah sees intentions because intentions provide bedrock to determination. Intentions draw a line between a true Muslim and a hypocrite.
In ‘part two’ Mr. Qadri talks about the just system of universe. Allah has emphasized justice multiple times in Quran and warned of stark consequences in terms of injustice. Mr. Qadri contends that a creator who stresses justice and love the just people how can he make people accountable for a destiny they are not in charge of? Allah tells us about two important deeds to live a successful life. First is justice and the second is benevolence. If a person is not free and his hands are tied how can he do justice? In this situation, He will not be able to make anyone accountable for his crime by saying that ‘the crime was written in destiny and it happened with Allah’s will’. Similarly, benevolence is also not possible without freedom. Justice is giving someone his due and benevolence is giving him more than his due. Mr. Qadri further talks about Allah’s command to achieve moral progress and to do good deeds. If a person does not have freedom how can he take the path of good deeds and moral development? Without freedom, he can use the pretext of destiny to do bad deeds. He can say that what I do is written in destiny. So, Allah commands to do justice with society and yourself.
In ‘Third part’ Dr. Tahir ul Qadri talks about the concept of ‘Qaza and Qadar’. Qadar is basically an individual’s capacity to exercise freedom and Qaza is a combination of rules and regulations upon which the universe works. Qadar and Qaza both are walking hand in hand; every creature of Allah is working in its boundary. Another interesting thing in this part is a way to change destiny. Many people think that destiny cannot be altered but Mr. Qadri says that if you improve your intentions and actions your destiny will be changed. Allah pledges to change a nation’s condition if the nation intends to be changed. In simple words, your destiny is indicative of your intentions and actions. This is what Hazrat Maula Ali R.A says that ‘a man’s measure is his will’.
According to my own introspection, Dr.Tahir ul Qadri’s bid to elucidate the concept of destiny is not enigmatic. The way he clarifies things is exceptional. In this book, it is also written that it is not possible to grasp the concept of destiny completely. I agree many of his points but some of them were difficult to understand due to my little knowledge and limited intellectual capacity. I could not understand one important point of this book where Mr. Qadri writes that the hardships, tensions, and issues a person faces is result of his own misdeeds. Then, a question came into mind that Prophets were infallible and innocents then why did they face difficulties? After pondering over the question I came to the conclusion that there are two types of difficulties. First type of difficulties is motivated by our mistakes and malpractices but the second type of difficulty is sent by Allah through various unexpected means to assess a man’s patience and Tawwakul. Both types of difficulties demand strong faith in Allah.
The writer is an Independent Researcher and Freelance contributor. He can be reached at [email protected]