By Dr. Mufutau Ayinla Abdul-Yakeen (PhD)
On Friday, 27th June 2025, I had the privilege of delivering the Khutbah of Jum’ah at the Jum’ah Masjid of Ahman Pategi University, Patigi, Kwara State, Nigeria. The Shurah Committee extended the invitation, and as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught, “Be a leader if you are invited.” In that spirit, I accepted with humility, not as one above the congregation but as a servant among them.
Qadar in Islam: More Than Destiny
The theme of my Friday sermon was Qadar wa ‘Amalan Saalihan—Destiny and Good Deeds.
In Islamic belief, Qadar (destiny) is often translated as fate, but it carries deeper meaning. It is reported that Allah (SWT) wrote the course of human actions fifty thousand years before our creation. This is not a distant abstraction; it is what brought us together in worship on that day, without prior human arrangement.
The Qur’an reminds us:
“Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion, and He has power over all things.”
(Qur’an 67:1)
Here, Qudrah (Power) is closely tied to Qadar. Allah alone holds the authority to plan, design, and execute all things. For this reason, Qadar is not simply blind fate but the unfolding of Allah’s supreme will.
Why Act If Destiny Is Written?
One of the companions once asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) why humans should strive if all is already decreed. The Prophet’s reply was profound: Do good always.
This simple statement reveals the balance between divine will and human responsibility. While destiny unfolds as Allah wills, humans are still accountable for their choices, especially in striving for good deeds in Islam (Amalan Saalihan).
Qur’an on Life and Death as a Test
In another verse, Allah (SWT) declares:
“He created death and life to test which of you is best in deeds.”
(Qur’an 67:2)
Here, Death can be understood as prior non-existence, sickness, poverty, or hardship. Life can be seen as health, knowledge, wealth, influence, and opportunity. Both the trials and the blessings are tests from Allah. They are not punishments or mere rewards but avenues to prove our sincerity through righteous action.
Why Good Deeds Matter in Islam
The call to do good deeds rests on two key principles:
- Obedience: Allah and His Messenger command us to do good.
- Accountability: Allah warns that evil deeds bring punishment, while good deeds bring blessings and eternal reward (Qur’an 4:123–124).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also taught:
“Actions are judged by intentions.”
In essence, what we intend and what we do shapes how Allah judges us. Good deeds are those we are unashamed for others to see, while bad deeds are those we would hide.
Balancing Fear and Hope
In the Qur’an, Allah describes Himself as Shadeedul-‘Iqaab (Severe in Punishment) but also Ar-Raheem (Most Merciful). This duality teaches us to balance fear of consequences with hope in divine mercy. It is not enough to rely solely on destiny; rather, we must act, guided by righteous intentions, in full awareness of Allah’s mercy and justice.
Final Reflections on Destiny and Good Deeds
Qadar in Islam teaches that life’s circumstances—whether joyful or painful—are ultimately decreed by Allah. Yet within those circumstances, our deeds remain our responsibility. We must therefore always strive to do good, intend good, and live with sincerity.
As we leave the prayer ground, may we remember that while destiny belongs to Allah, our actions belong to us.
Rabbana aatina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qinaa ‘adhaaban-naar.
Our Lord, grant us goodness in this world and goodness in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.
Ameen.
About the Author
Dr. Mufutau A. Abdul-Yakeen is an expert in Islamic Economics, teaching at Muhammad Kamalud-deen University and Summit University of Nigeria, and founder of Al-Huliyaa Instructional Services.
