qadr

Qadr, also transliterated as Qadar, is an Islamic theological concept referring to divine decree or predestination. The term derives from the Arabic root q-d-r, meaning to measure, to determine, or to possess power. In Islamic thought, Qadr denotes God’s comprehensive knowledge, will, and control over all that happens, from the smallest action to the fate of nations.

Core belief centers on four related ideas often summarized as: God’s knowledge of everything past, present, and future; God’s writing of all events in the preserved tablet; God’s creation of all things; and God’s decree or determination of outcomes. Muslims therefore affirm that nothing occurs outside God’s permission, while also maintaining that humans have moral responsibility and free choice within that framework.

Among Sunni Muslims, belief in qadr coexists with the idea that humans possess a modicum of free will and accountability. The traditional schools differ in emphasis: some stress divine omniscience and predestination, others stress human responsibility within God’s overarching plan. The concept is often reconciled with verses such as “there is no compulsion in religion,” highlighting a nuanced balance between divine decree and human action. In Shi’a Islam, divine justice (adl) and accountability are central, with a strong emphasis on human agency while acknowledging God’s ultimate knowledge and sovereignty.

Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree during Ramadan, is a cultural focal point where believers seek closeness to God and the Quranic revelation as part of the broader conversation about fate and divine guidance. See also Laylat al-Qadr.