The term qadar in the Arabic language means 'measure' and 'portion'; and qada pertains to that which is definite and decided. The eighth Imam, Imam Raza, said by way of commentary upon these two terms: 'Qadar is to be understood as the measuring out of a thing in relation to its subsistence (baqa) and its extinction (fana); and qada is the bestowal upon a given entity of its definitive capacity to actualize itself.

Commentary on Qadar
Each creature, insofar as it is a contingent being (mumkin al-wujud) has a particular existential limit and extent. All things other than God exist in a particular way, are limited in differing degrees; take on different modes of existence: minerals have a particular existential measure or 'cut', differing from that of plants and animals. Just as the very existence that is apportioned to all things is itself a creature of God, likewise, the initial measuring out (taqdir) of all things comes from Him. Therefore, this measuring out of existence can be understood as an act of God: it is referred to as 'active determination and apportioning in act'.

This, in turn, is to be understood in the light of the following: Before creating a thing, God already knows it in its unmanifest state of latency or potentiality; this being referred to as 'determination and apportion- ing in knowledge'.
Belief in qadar is tantamount to belief in the creatorship of God as regards the particular properties of all things, and His 'active determination' of things rests upon His pre-eternal knowledge; in consequence, belief in the divine knowledge of qadar is but a function of belief in the eternal knowledge of God.

Commentary on Qada
As mentioned above, qada is to be understood as the bestowal of definitive existence upon an entity. Naturally, the process by which this definitive existence is attained rests upon the operation of the law of cause and effect. A thing receives its existence as a result of the complete actualization of the cause of its existence. Insofar as this law of causality derives ultimately from God, the reality of the definitive nature of each existing entity rests upon the power and will of God.

Next Page