How can divine decree (qadaa) and destiny (qadar), and the legislative and cosmic will, be interpreted with rational thought, while clarifying the relationship between effort and success? Does Allah's knowledge, inscribed in the Preserved Tablet, interfere with our choices? How is the acceptance of prayer understood when one's appointed time of death (ajal) has come? What is the correct interpretation of the spread of pandemics like Corona and their being a punishment?

Belief in divine decree (Qada') and destiny (Qadar) is approached with a general acceptance and submission to the texts of revelation. It is part of belief in the unseen, and its reality transcends human perception, as Qadar is a manifestation of Allah's Lordship, power, and knowledge. As Imam Ahmad said, "Qadar is the power of Allah." Delving into it with human logic and intellect is a waste of effort, and the texts of the Sharia and the narrations of the Salaf have forbidden this. Imam Ahmad and others indicated that denying Qadar is a denial of Allah's power. Qadar is one of Allah's secrets, and delving deeply into it is a means to failure. Asking about its how (kayfiyyah) is an innovation, and its knowledge is concealed from creation. The issue of Qadar is one of the most complex philosophical problems, and scholars and philosophers have agreed that it exceeds the capacity of the human mind. The mind is called to prostrate and submit to its Creator upon entering the realm of the unseen.