“Qadha” and “qadar” and the fate of man
Date 17 February 2026 & Clock 00:34
1. How do “qadha” and “qadar” change the course of events? Aren’t they in contradiction with man’s free will? What is fate?
2. Does God change our fate because of our deeds? Do our actions cause any change in our future?
3. If one can create problems for others through writing certain spells, wouldn’t it prevent the victim from exercising his free will? Why does God let some people exercise witchcraft?
4. Does offering prayers change one’s future?
1. “Qadha” and “qadar” need a detailed discussion and cannot be dealt with in a mail. They do not contradict man’s free will since they mean that according to divine law whoever does good deeds should have good destiny and whoever does evil deeds of his own volition should face evil fate.
In simple words, “qadha” and” qadar” mean that one’s destiny is determined by his own free will. God has shown man the right and wrong paths. The right path leads one to eternal bliss while the end of the wrong path is divine chastisement. Whosoever takes the right path will have a blissful fate while who chooses the wrong path will have a bad destiny. There is no compulsion in taking any of the paths, therefore choosing neither of them is against one’s free will.
2. Yes, one’s destiny may change depending on his own conduct.
One of God’s unalterable rules is that the destiny of an individual or a society is determined by the individual or the society’s free will and there is no compulsion or determiner other than their own free will to which the following verse refers: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. And when Allah intends for a people ill, there is no repelling it. And there is not for them besides Him any patron.” (13:11)
The verse explains a general rule, that is, every individual or society determines its destiny and is responsible for whatever change, whether good or evil, that happens to them. In other words, external changes are rooted in internal changes in individuals or societies.
3. This subject needs a detailed assessment. Witchcraft and sorcery are not beyond God’s power since nothing happens in this world that is beyond God’s sovereignty. Neither are they contradictory with His wisdom. That is because God Himself gave this power to people to test them and see who uses this power in good ways and who uses it for evil purposes.
This world is the world of cause and effect. God created the causes to test people how they use them. In addition, as long as God does not wish it, no cause will have an effect, neither will it have an influence on individuals insofar as they do not pave the way and make themselves vulnerable to be affected by it.
The same is the case with witchcraft. Provided that one trusts in God, keeps away from sins, and takes refuge in praying and reciting the Quran, magic spells will not affect him, while not doing so may leave him vulnerable to magic or witchcraft.
As mentioned above, this is an important and complicated subject which cannot be dealt with in a letter. On his own volition, one may not make use of protective measures against accidents or witchcraft. As long as one trusts in God and relies on his Lord, nothing will happen to him.
Having said that, one should not forget the divine tests which need to be dealt with separately in details. At any rate, none of the above is in contradiction with free will.
4. Yes, it does. Offering prayers makes one’s future blissful. Moreover, it results in prolongation of one’s life, abundance of his sustenance, and illumination of his face.
Qadha prayer of one’s father
Date 17 February 2026 & Clock 00:34
In his will, my father had requested 3 years of qadha prayers be performed on his behalf. My elder brother whose responsibility was to execute the will performed 3 years of qadha prayers, but I think my late father’s qadha prayers were more than 3 years. Are we just obligated to perform only 3 years of qadha prayer according to the will or we have to perform more if we consider it probable that our late father had more qadha prayers?
If your father had requested for 3 years of qadha prayers to be offered on his behalf and your elder brother performed them, you have no more obligations. Nevertheless, if you consider it probable that your father had more qadha prayers and you can hire someone to perform them, there is no problem in it, rather it is recommended. At any rate, it is not obligatory.
Father’s permission in temporary marriage
Date 17 February 2026 & Clock 00:34
Is temporary marriage with a girl allowable without permission from the girl’s father? Stipulating that the father’s permission be sought makes such marriage impossible since no father gives such permission to his daughter and this would result in sinning.
Based on obligatory precaution a virgin girl should not get married without her father’s permission. Since such marriage is not suitable for a virgin girl, fathers do not allow it. This per se does not force someone to commit sins. In case one intends to marry a girl, he should propose to her family and provided that her father allows it, conclude a temporary marriage with her. If the father of the girl does not allow it, he should refrain from having unlawful contact with her in order not to fall into sinning.
Giving speech by a girl in front of non-mahram men
Date 17 February 2026 & Clock 00:34
What is the ruling on giving a speech or presentation in university classes where non-mahram students are present and one has to stand before them? This would result in them looking at her, though she does not intend to draw lustful intentions. Take it into account that most students know each other.
If one observes hijab, there is no problem in giving a speech or presentation in front of non-mahram audience.
Interaction between non-mahram man and woman
Date 17 February 2026 & Clock 00:34
Two years ago my sister started a relationship with a married man. Under the pretext of saving her from depression, the man told her to consider him as her brother and trust him. My sister trusted him and told him all her problems. The man, claiming that we are like brother and sister, established a relationship with her and even kissed her. Now my sister is so much dependent on him that her life has gone out of order. On the other hand, she considers herself a sinful person. She wants to know if God forgives her after all this and what she needs to do to be forgiven. What should be done with that man?
There is no sibling relationship between a woman and a non-mahram man. Tell your sister that her relationship with that man is forbidden. This emotional connection and kissing your sister by that man are both forbidden. Such relationship is a trap of Satan and also a trap of that man for your sister. She should end this relationship immediately and seek divine forgiveness.
