Aslam

Praise be to Allah.The Qur’aan and saheeh

Sunnah, and the consensus of the early generations of this ummah, indicate

that it is obligatory to believe in al-qadar (the divine decree), both good

and bad, and that this is one of the six basic principles of faith without

which a person’s faith is incomplete. Allaah says (interpretation of the

meaning):

“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it

is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al‑Lawh Al‑Mahfooz) before We bring it

into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allaah”

[al-Hadeed 57:22]

“Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine

Preordainments of all things before their creation as written in the Book of

Decrees - Al‑Lawh Al‑Mahfooz)”

[al-Qamar 54:49]

It was narrated from

‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, defining faith: “It is to

believe in Allaah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day and

to believe in the divine decree, both good and bad.” Narrated by Muslim, 8.

Everything that happens in the universe happens only by the

decree of Allaah, so the one who believes in al-qadar must believe that

Allaah knew all things before they happened, then He wrote that in al-Lawh

al-Mahfooz (the Book of Decrees), then He willed that they should be, then

He created them. These are the four well-known stages of al-qadar, and there

is evidence for each of these stages, as has already been explained in

detail in the answer to question no. 49004.

Marriage and whether it comes sooner or later, or is easy or

difficult, is all subject to the decree of Allaah. This does not mean that

the Muslim should not avail himself of the means that Allaah has decreed as

the steps leading to it, and applying the means does not contradict the idea

that a thing has been decreed from eternity. Man does not know what has been

decreed for him, but he is enjoined to apply the means.

The calamities that Allaah decrees for a person are good for

the believer if he bears them with patience and seeks reward for that, and

does not panic, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon

him) said: “How marvelous is the affair of the believer, for all his affairs

are good, and that does not apply to anyone except the believer. If

something good happens to him he gives thanks for it and that is good for

him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is

good for him.” Narrated by Muslim, 2999.

These calamities may be a punishment for sin, but that is not

necessarily the case. They may come in order to raise the believer in status

and increase his reward if he is patient and content… or there may be other

great reasons behind it.

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him)

was asked:

If a person is tested with sickness or a calamity that

strikes him or his wealth, how can he know whether that is a test or is a

sign of the wrath of Allaah?

He replied:

Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, tests His slaves

with good things and bad, with hardship and with ease. He may test them in

order to raise them in status and to increase their reward, as He did with

the Prophets and Messengers (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them) and

the righteous slaves of Allaah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of

Allaah be upon him) said: “The people who are most severely tested are the

Prophets, then the next best and the next best.” Sometimes Allaah does that

because of sins, so the punishment is hastened, as Allaah says

(interpretation of the meaning):

“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of

what your hands have earned. And He pardons much”

[al-Shoora 42:30]

Usually people fall short

and fail to fulfil their duties, so whatever befalls them is because of

their sins and shortcomings in obeying the commands of Allaah. If one of the

righteous slaves of Allaah is tested with sickness and the like, this is

akin to the testing of the Prophets and Messengers which raises them in

status and increases their reward, so that they may be examples to others of

patience and seeking reward.

Conclusion: it may be a test in order to raise a person in

status and increase his reward, as Allaah does with the Prophets and some of

the elite, or it may be an expiation for sins, as Allaah says

(interpretation of the meaning):

“whosoever works evil, will have the recompense thereof”

[al-Nisa’ 4:123]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon

him) said: “No tiredness, exhaustion, worry, grief, distress or harm befalls

a believer in this world, not even a thorn that pricks him, but Allaah

expiates some of his sins thereby.”

And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“When Allaah wills good for a person, He afflicts him (with calamity so that

he may earn reward by bearing it with patience).”

That may also be a punishment that has been hastened because

of sins and a failure to hasten to repent, as stated in the hadeeth in which

the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When

Allaah wills good for a person, He hastens his punishment in this world, and

when He wills bad for a person, He withholds the (punishment) for his sins

from him until he comes to Him with that sin on the Day of Resurrection.”

Narrated and classed as hasan by al-Tirmidhi. End quote.

Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Maqaalaat,

4/370

As you refused to marry those who came and proposed to you,

for the sake of Allaah and because they are not adhering to Islam, Allaah

will compensate you with something better than them. Allaah says

(interpretation of the meaning):

“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He

will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).

3. And He will provide him from (sources) he never could

imagine”

[al-Talaaq 65:2-3]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon

him) said: “You will never give up a thing for the sake of Allaah, may He be

glorified and exalted, but Allaah will compensate you with something that is

better for you than that.” Narrated by Imam Ahmad; classed as saheeh by

al-Albaani in Hijaab al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 47.

You should turn to Allaah

with du’aa’ and acts of worship, and do not despair. Remember that the mercy

of Allaah is close to those who do good.

And Allaah knows best.