A misconception regarding predestination of actions

8-3-2011 | IslamWeb

Question:

Please explain the Hadeeth where the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was asked by a man about the value of deeds if everything was predestined by Allaah the Almighty, and the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, told him that when Allaah created a slave for Paradise, he enabled him to observe the deeds of the people of Paradise, so that he would die on one of the actions of the people of Paradise and thus Allaah the Almighty would admit him to Paradise….
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

 

‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab may Allaah be pleased with him was asked about the Saying of Allaah the Almighty (that means): {And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants and made them testify of themselves, [saying to them], "Am I not your Lord?" They said, "Yes, we have testified." [This] - lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection, "Indeed, we were of this unaware."} [Quran 7:172]

He said that he heard the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, reply when he was being asked about it saying that Allaah the Almighty created Aadam may Allaah exalt his mention. Then He wiped his back with His right hand and a progeny was produced. He said: "I created these for Paradise and they will act with the deeds of the people of Paradise." Then He wiped his back again and another progeny was produced. He said: "I created these for Hell and they will act with the deeds of the people of Hell." 'A man then asked the Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, about the value of deeds. The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, answered that when Allaah creates a slave for Paradise, he makes him do the deeds of the people of Paradise so that he dies doing one of the actions of the people of Paradise and thereby Allaah the Almighty admits him to Paradise. When He creates a slave for Hell, He makes him do the deeds of the people of Hell, so that he dies doing one of the actions of the people of Hell, and thereby Allaah the Almighty admits him to Hell. [At-Tirmithi: Hasan (Sound)]

The confusion that may arise here is the same as what this companion may Allaah be pleased with him enquired about. The response to this is what was stated by the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam: that Allaah the Almighty enables man to do the deeds of the people of Paradise if he is one of them and enables man to do deeds of the people of Hell if he is one of them, and Allaah the Almighty is Wise and Knowledgeable and wrongs nobody.

In other words, it is a test with an unknown result (to mankind), and therefore, whoever pursues and does his best to win Paradise, will be enabled to do the deeds that admit him to it. However, the one who turns his back and becomes arrogant, Allaah the Almighty will enable him to walk the way of Hell. Allaah the Almighty Says (what means): {As for he who gives and fears Allaah and believes in the best [reward], *We will ease him toward ease. But as for he who withholds and considers himself free of need. And denies the best [reward], We will ease him toward difficulty.} [Quran 92:5-10]

Allaah Knows best.

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