Question:
assalam alaikum, I have a confused question to ask. I wanted to know when we are born are we written already to go Hell or heaven? Or is there any free will choice to choose. If our Qadr is written to go to hell. Then how are we to avoid and do better to reach Jannah? Since Allah knows everything about us since the day we are born. Some of the people say we aren’t given choices it’s just already written to happen and that most of the people who enter hell are women and kids. If so then the bad things ahead of us is also written? That it will happen even though we never expected it to happen? Sorry for asking. I just want to know the facts.
Answer:
Assalamu Alaikum,
This question has been discussed by scholars and philosophers for centuries and no one can give a final answer. It is known as Sirr al-Qadr or Secret of Fate. However, our scholars have confirmed the following:
1. We are personally responsible for all our decisions, actions and behaviour
2. We will be judged by Allah on Judgement Day for our actions during our lives
3. Allah is All-knowing and has pre-determined every detail of this universe.
So although our fate is pre-determined, we cannot know our future actions and behaviour. And therefore we must be very careful and vigilant to keep our behaviour within Shariah. It is our duty as servants of Allah to follow His commands and worship Him as if we see Him, because even if we do not see Him, He sees us.
And Allah and His Prophet know best.
Hajj Khalid Aboulela
