Foundations · The Six Pillars of Iman

Core Beliefs and Divine Decree in Islam

Explore key Islamic beliefs about faith, divine decree, and their implications.

6 questions · Easy · about 3 minutes

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6 questions, about 3 minutes.

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1. What kind of decree may be changed in the records held by angels?

  • What is written in the angels’ records, by Allah’s will, through causes such as du’a. (correct answer)
  • What Allah knows from eternity.
  • What is written in al-Lawh al-Mahfuz.
  • Anything without Allah’s will.

Why

What Allah knows and what is written in al-Lawh al-Mahfuz does not change. But what is written in the records held by angels may change by Allah’s will, such as through supplication or upholding ties of kinship.

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2. What is copied down for the angels on Laylat al-Qadr?

  • What will happen during the coming year. (correct answer)
  • The names of all past nations.
  • Matters outside Allah’s knowledge.
  • Only the names of Prophets.

Why

On Laylat al-Qadr, the angelic scribes are shown and instructed to copy what Allah has decreed for the coming year, such as provision, death, life, and rain.

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3. Can divine decree be used as an excuse for committing sins?

  • No, it is not an acceptable excuse. (correct answer)
  • Yes, because people have no responsibility.
  • Yes, but only for major sins.
  • Yes, if the sin was planned in advance.

Why

A person may not use divine decree as an excuse for sin or for neglecting obligations. People are accountable for what they choose and do.

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4. How does du’a relate to divine decree?

  • Du’a is a means Allah has decreed for attaining outcomes. (correct answer)
  • Du’a has no benefit because everything is decreed.
  • Du’a works independently of Allah’s will.
  • Du’a is only for matters already visible.

Why

Allah has connected outcomes to their causes. Du’a is one of the means Allah has prescribed and decreed for attaining mercy, guidance, provision, and other good things.

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5. Is there a contradiction between divine decree and human free will?

  • No, people still choose their actions and are accountable for them. (correct answer)
  • Yes, divine decree means people have no choice.
  • Yes, free will means Allah did not decree things.
  • No, because people know exactly what is written for them.

Why

Divine decree does not remove human responsibility. People do not know what is written for them, and they still choose voluntary actions, so they are accountable.

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6. What distinguishes the believer regarding unseen matters?

  • Affirming what Allah and His Messenger taught, even when it cannot be seen. (correct answer)
  • Believing only what the physical senses can detect.
  • Rejecting anything the mind cannot fully grasp.
  • Claiming to know every detail of the unseen.

Why

Belief in the unseen means believing what Allah and His Messenger have told us, whether or not we see or fully understand it. This kind of faith distinguishes believers from disbelievers.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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