Al-Qadr, Akhirah & the Day of Judgement
Al-Qadr — Predestination
Al-Qadr is the sixth article of Sunni faith. It means predestination — the belief that Allah already knows and has determined everything that will happen. Nothing occurs by accident or chance. Surah 9:51 states: “Only what God has decreed will happen to us. He is our Master.” This includes every event in a person’s life, from birth to death.
Muslims believe Allah has complete knowledge of the past, present and future. Before a child is born, an angel records four things about their life: their provision (livelihood), their lifespan, their deeds, and whether they will be happy or unhappy. This is written in the “Preserved Tablet” (Lawh al-Mahfuz), which contains the record of all that has been and all that will be.
Al-Qadr does not mean humans are puppets. Muslims believe Allah knows in advance what choices a person will make, but the person still makes those choices freely. It is this freedom that makes humans accountable on the Day of Judgement.
Predestination and Human Freedom
One of the most complex issues in Islamic theology is how predestination relates to human freedom. If Allah has already decided everything, can humans truly be free? And if they are not free, how can they be held responsible for their actions on the Day of Judgement?
Most Muslims hold that both beliefs are true simultaneously. Allah’s knowledge is absolute — He knows what every person will do before they do it. But this foreknowledge does not force people to act in a particular way. Humans have genuine freedom of choice (ikhtiyar) and are responsible for their decisions. It is like a teacher who knows a student will fail an exam — the teacher’s knowledge did not cause the failure; the student’s lack of revision did.
Sunni view: Al-Qadr is one of the Six Articles of Faith. Sunni Muslims generally emphasise that everything happens according to Allah’s will. Even suffering and hardship are part of His plan. This belief gives comfort in difficult times — if something bad happens, a Muslim can trust it is part of Allah’s greater purpose, even if they cannot understand it.
Shi’a view: Shi’a Muslims place greater emphasis on Adalat (divine justice). They argue that Allah’s justice means He would not predetermine someone to sin and then punish them for it — that would be unjust. Shi’a theology therefore gives more weight to human free will, arguing that people genuinely choose their actions and are justly accountable for them.
Belief in Al-Qadr influences Muslims in practical ways. It encourages Sabr (patience) during hardship, because Muslims trust that suffering is part of Allah’s plan. It also encourages gratitude in good times, since all blessings come from Allah. However, it does not encourage passivity — Muslims are still expected to work hard, make good choices and strive to follow Allah’s guidance.
The Day of Judgement (Yawm al-Din)
Muslims believe that this life is a test, and that every person will face judgement before Allah at the end of time. The Day of Judgement is described vividly in the Qur’an as a terrifying, earth-shaking event. Surah 99:1–2 states: “When the earth is shaken with its earthquake, and the earth discharges its burdens.”
On this day, the angel Israfil will blow a trumpet, and all living things will die. Then a second blast will resurrect every person who has ever lived. Each person will stand before Allah and their book of deeds — recorded by the angels throughout their life — will be opened. Those who receive their book in the right hand will enter paradise; those who receive it in the left hand will face punishment.
Surah 99:7–8 states: “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it. And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” This teaches that no action — however small — escapes Allah’s notice. Every good deed and every sin will be accounted for.
Surah 23:102–103 describes the scales of judgement: “As for those whose scale is heavy [with good deeds], it is they who will be successful. But those whose scale is light, they will have doomed themselves, staying in Hell forever.” Good deeds are weighed against bad deeds, and the balance determines a person’s fate.
Akhirah — Life After Death
Akhirah means life after death. Muslims believe the afterlife is eternal and that this earthly life is merely a temporary test. What a person does in this life determines their fate in the next. This belief underpins Muslim morality — every action carries consequences that extend beyond death.
Jannah (Paradise): The Qur’an describes Jannah as a place of eternal peace, pleasure and closeness to Allah. Surah 47:15 describes rivers of water, milk, wine and honey, with fruits of every kind and forgiveness from Allah. Jannah has multiple levels, with the highest reserved for the most righteous. It is the ultimate reward for those who lived according to Allah’s will.
Jahannam (Hell): Jahannam is a place of torment and punishment for those who rejected Allah or lived sinfully without repentance. The Qur’an describes fire, boiling water and suffering. Surah 4:56 describes how the skin of those in hell will be replaced so they continue to feel the punishment. Most Muslims believe Jahannam can be temporary for sinful Muslims — Allah may forgive them and eventually admit them to paradise — but it is eternal for those who committed Shirk (associating partners with Allah).
Belief in Akhirah means Muslims see this life as a preparation for eternity. Every deed is recorded and will be judged. This motivates Muslims to pray, give charity, avoid sin and follow the Qur’an and Sunnah — because the stakes are not just for this life but for the life to come.
Human Responsibility and Accountability
The concepts of predestination, judgement and the afterlife work together to create a strong framework of personal accountability. Muslims believe every person is responsible for their own actions. No one can carry another’s sins (Surah 17:15). On the Day of Judgement, there are no excuses — the angels’ records are complete and Allah’s judgement is perfect.
This accountability influences how Muslims live. It encourages honesty, generosity, compassion and obedience to Allah. It discourages dishonesty, cruelty and arrogance, because Muslims know that even the smallest action — an “atom’s weight” — will be seen and judged. The belief in resurrection means there is no escape from this accountability, even in death.
Muslims believe that after death, the soul enters Barzakh — a state of waiting between death and the Day of Judgement. In the grave, two angels (Munkar and Nakir) question the deceased about their faith: “Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your prophet?” A righteous person will answer correctly and experience comfort; a sinful person will struggle and experience suffering. This period lasts until the Day of Resurrection.