Does Allah Decree Bad Things Upon Us?

Understanding Qadr and why there is no such thing as coincidence.

hourofqadr

Apr 30, 2025

Assalamu'alaikum wr wb my dear friend!

Here are 2 Ideas, A Verse to Reflect Upon & One Question for you 👇

A slight delay for this post because I wanted to ensure the authenticity of the writing for this loaded topic!

Two Ideas this week

1. There is no “random” or “by chance“, rather Allah’s Decree.

Just yesterday, I was having an in-depth discussion with my friends on intention, and then I booked a taxi ride back home. That was when I met a muslim driver (I am from a country where majority are non-muslims), and he stressed to me (without me asking), on the importance of intention in Islam.

He shared how when he has planted a firm intention, Allah fulfils his intentions in ways beyond his expectations. How he was suddenly offered to go to Hajj without needing to pay for it, how suddenly Allah eased his rizq in affording a house and providing for his family.

This is not mere coincidence — rather I hold onto good opinion of Allah, that He is All-Aware and All-Hearing, and that perhaps this was a reminder for me to really reflect deeper on my intentions.

Sometimes something unlikely happens in a peculiar or unique manner and we tell ourselves: “What a coincidence!”

But Allah has created all things with His precise Decree!

And although we may mean it just as a passing remark, it is better to affirm ourselves that nothing escapes the Qadr of Allah. So make verbal dhikrs to Allah when such “coincidences“ happen (such as Subhanallah or Alhamdulillah)!

From every leaf that falls1,

to every drop of rain2,

to even being pricked by a thorn3,

nothing escapes Allah’s Decree and Measure.

Sometimes Allah gives us timely, beautiful reminders, as a means to affirm our certainty in Him.

But be careful not to make firm claims or declare that you received direct signs from Allah, you may want to look at this post I wrote: How to know if something is a sign from Allah?

Instead, we can share our stories as a point of reflection to increase our tawakkul, certainty and reliance in Allah.

2. Does Allah Decree Bad Things?

To understand Allah’s Decree, we have to break it down:

How do we understand free-will?
What is the definition of good?
Understanding Allah’s Perfect Justice & Wisdom

How do we understand free-will?

Allah created this life as a test, not as a perfect paradise.

He has set universal and natural laws, like gravity, and cause and effect. These laws operate consistently. If a person misuses their free will and harms another, the harm is real, because Allah allows human freedom to run its course.

Why doesn’t Allah stop it?

If Allah were to stop every act of wrongdoing at the moment it arises, free will would be meaningless, and growth through moral choice would be impossible. Even the wrongdoer would never have a chance to repent or change.

Allah says in the Quran:

“If Allah were to punish people ˹immediately˺ for their wrongdoing, He would not have left a single living being on earth.”
— Surah An-Nahl 16:61

Thus, Allah has gifted us free will.

Our actions are our own responsibility, even though they occur within Allah’s Will and Knowledge.

But Allah’s Will is not a human plan…

It is beyond our limited comprehension, encompassing wisdom and mercy in ways we cannot grasp.

What is the definition of good?

We also have to realise that how we comprehend good is not the same as Allah. We are usually unable to see the wisdom behind something until later on.

This is why Allah mentions this commonly quoted verse from Quran:

Perhaps you dislike something which is good for you and like something which is bad for you. Allah knows, and you do not know.

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:216

We often define good and bad based on immediate emotions like pleasure, pain, gain or loss.

But Allah defines good according to eternal wisdom, and not fleeting feelings.

For all the pain that we go through, all the trials, losses and that we will be tested with, comes blessings. These blessings could be in a form of purification, growth, drawing closer to Allah and becoming more certain in Him.

It could even be Allah removing or preventing a greater harm we didn’t foresee.

This strengthens our well-being in dunya.

What we judge as “evil“ or “bad“ may be part of a greater wisdom we cannot yet grasp. In fact, only The All-Knowing can grasp all the wisdoms.

Understanding Allah’s Perfect Justice & Wisdom

Another question that might have crossed our minds: If Allah is Most Merciful, why does He allow evil and suffering?

As humans, we must do our part to speak up for the oppressed where and when we can. Countries that remain silent may be complicit in wrongdoing.

However, Allah is never complicit in evil.

Allah has commanded us as a human race to stand against injustice, to enjoin good and forbid evil. He has also blessed us with intellect and the ability to do justice.

(Sadly, the ummah has a lot of other fundamental issues locally, that we are not able to render a strong enough support to those who are oppressed in the world. For now we can still spread awareness through social media and find other means to improve the ummah at smaller capacities. Join your local muslim group to plan more initiatives!)

Ultimate justice however, is served fully in akhirah. Allah’s “silence“ is not forever.

Allah says in the Quran:

We set up the scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so no soul will be wronged in the least. And ˹even˺ if a deed is the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth.
Surah Al-Anbiya 21:47

Upon hearing this scary verse… how much we should be focused on our own bad deeds…

We have to strive to make a change with a firm resolve inwardly before Allah grants us the change we hope to become.4

Yes, everything occurs within Allah’s Will and Knowledge, but this does not mean He approves of the evil. He permits it, temporarily, for purposes of testing, justice, and wisdom.

But every soul accountable will be held accountable.

Evil is decreed as a role in tests, justice, and divine mercy.