Divine Decree — Its Four Levels

terms Level: intermediate aqeedah trm-018

مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا فِيٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ إِلَّا فِي كِتَٰبٍ

— الحديد 22

Definition: Allah's eternal measurement of all things and creation of them according to His knowledge, will, and wisdom.

Four levels: (1) Knowledge: Allah knew all before existence. (2) Writing: in the Preserved Tablet (57:22). (3) Will: whatever Allah willed came to be. (4) Creation: Allah created all things including human actions (37:96).

Qadar does not negate choice: The servant chooses with real will Allah placed within him.

Source: Ibn Abi Al-Izz, Sharh Al-Tahawiyya; Al-Lalakai, Sharh Usul Itiqad

Question: What are the four levels of divine decree?

Answer: (1) Knowledge (2) Writing in the Tablet (3) Will (4) Creation — including human actions.