What is the Quranic perspective of Taqdir?
If we understand this concept we can create models of success. let us find the root meaning of the arabic word (taqdir) which was prevalent at the time of the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions. The you can reflect how the Magian influence slowly changed this meaning to its now "acquired" meaning which in English is translated as destiny, fate, or predestination etc.
The root meaning of the word "taqdir" comes from the root q-d-r ( ). The meaning of this root is measure or standard. means "I measured the thing." means "I made clothes according to his measurements." Therefore, the root meaning of "taqdir" is for something to fit according to some measure or standard. And "Miqdarun" ( ) means model, pattern or standard according to which something is made. In order to make something fit a pattern or standard, one has to have complete control over that thing. Therefore, means that I have power to make that thing according to a standard.
Try to understand current translation of verse 'Innallaha ala kulli shai in qadeer' - Quran 35:1. Translation: 'Indeed, Allah has power over all things.
With linguistic meaning try to understand the verse Translation: 'Indeed, Allah (SW) has made pattern or standards for everything (anyone understands these standards/pattern they can have control over that thing).
apply this root meaning of tqdir in another place in quran (33:38) - "Allah’s command (directive) took a definitive pattern (model)."
This "standard" is what experts call "law of nature" in modern scientific terminology. Isn’t it amazing to note that this was said more than 1400 years ago when the world did not know anything about science.
As a further illustration, we can say that Allah’s exclusive power created the law of gravity. We cannot understand how this law was created by Allah or what it was before its creation. It is beyond the human mind to know anything about it before it was created. But after its creation, we can understand it and make use of it. Thus it becomes possible for us to design airplanes and fly them using this law - we can have complete trust in the law of gravity. The same thing applies to all the other physical laws. When Quran says:
(15:21)or, (15:4) - it means that these are the laws whose knowledge can be obtained.
Now let us see how Iqbal expounds and beautifully illustrates this concept of taqdir as given by Quran.
"The subtle secret of this concept (of taqdir) is hidden in one word. That is, if you change then the taqdir changes accordingly.
"If you become (like) dust, then even a mild wind will blow you and scatter you and will carry you wherever it wishes. If you become (like) a stone (i.e. develop the characteristics of a stone in yourself) then you will break any glass which comes your way."What is this change which Iqbal talks about here? He talks about a change in mental attitude. And there can be no change in mental attitude unless there is a change in the psyche of an individual.
Allah (SW) says in the Quran:
(13:11)
"It is a fact that Allah (SW) does not change the condition of a people unless and until the individuals (composing that society) change whatever is inside of them (i.e. their psychology)."
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