Does Belief in Qada and Qadar (Divine Decree and Predestination) Mean Absolute Surrender and Lack of Effort?

The concept of Qada and Qadar (Divine Decree and Predestination) is one of the most profound and sensitive topics in Islamic theology, always requiring precise explanation and correct understanding. Belief in Qada and Qadar does not, in any way, mean absolute surrender or abstaining from personal effort and responsibility. Rather, this belief is one of the pillars of faith that grants a person peace of mind and a correct perspective on life and divine destiny. To understand this issue, we must differentiate between the concept of 'Divine Knowledge' and 'Compulsion.' Allah Almighty is All-Knowing of everything that has happened in the past, what is happening now, and what will happen in the future. This expansive divine knowledge includes all the choices and actions that human beings perform with their free will. This means that Allah knows in advance what choices we will make, but this pre-knowledge does not imply compelling us to make those choices. In the Holy Quran, Allah repeatedly emphasizes human responsibility and their power of choice. Humans are created as beings with free will, and for this reason, they are accountable for their actions and will be questioned on the Day of Judgment. If humans were compelled to perform their actions, then the sending of prophets, the revelation of divine books, and the promise of reward and punishment would be meaningless. Allah says in the Quran: "Indeed, We guided him to the way, whether grateful or ungrateful." (Surah Al-Insan, verse 3). This verse clearly indicates the existence of two paths and the power of choice within humans. In other words, belief in Qada and Qadar should motivate individuals to embark on the right path, strive, and place their trust in Allah, rather than leading them to idleness and inaction. Relying on Allah (Tawakkul) does not mean abandoning worldly means and causes; rather, it means that after exerting utmost effort and utilizing all available resources and means, we entrust the outcome to Allah Almighty. The famous saying, "Tie your camel and then trust in Allah," perfectly illustrates this concept. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told a man who had left his camel untied and claimed to rely on Allah, "Tie your camel and then rely on Allah." This Hadith demonstrates that Islam is a religion of action, effort, and foresight. To achieve one's goals in this life and the hereafter, a person must utilize all their capabilities, plan, and take practical steps. Some might mistakenly think that if everything is predetermined, then effort is futile. However, this way of thinking contradicts the spirit of Quranic teachings and the Prophetic Sunnah. Allah states in Surah Ar-Ra'd, verse 11: "Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves." This verse explicitly states that a change in people's life circumstances requires a change in their attitudes, intentions, and actions. Divine Qada and Qadar consist of two aspects: irreversible decrees (such as birth and death), which are outside the sphere of human control, and conditional decrees (such as sustenance, health, and success), which can be altered through human effort, prayers, charity, and changes in behavior. This distinction is crucial because it teaches us that regarding some matters, we must surrender to divine will and be content with Allah's decree (such as losing loved ones or natural disasters), but concerning matters related to our efforts, we must act proactively. Correct belief in Qada and Qadar brings tranquility and solace to the believer because they know that nothing happens without Allah's permission, and whatever occurs, there is good hidden within it, even if it appears undesirable. This belief prevents a person from despair in failures and arrogance in successes. In essence, this faith allows the believer, after sincere effort, to entrust the anxiety of the outcome to Allah and continue their path with a confident heart. This perspective saves humanity from the trap of pure fatalism, which leads to passivity, and from the trap of absolute delegation, which abandons individuals to their responsibilities. Islam calls for a wise balance between divine will and human free will; a balance in which humans, while acknowledging Allah's absolute sovereignty, fulfill their individual responsibilities and strive with all their might to achieve good and welfare for themselves and their society. Therefore, belief in Qada and Qadar is not only not about absolute surrender but is a strong motivation for intelligent effort, patience in the face of difficulties, and gratitude for blessings.