Explore Verses Related to good and evil are from Him
📖 Quranic Context
This concept is a fundamental aspect of the Islamic creed ('aqidah'), specifically related to the sixth pillar of faith: belief in the divine decree, both its good and its evil. The verse "Say, 'All [things] are from Allah'" (Qul kullun min 'indillah) in Surah An-Nisa is a cornerstone for this belief.
💭 Theological Perspective
This belief shapes the Muslim's understanding of their relationship with the Creator, fostering reliance on Allah (tawakkul) while acknowledging personal responsibility for one's choices. It addresses the fundamental question of the origin of good and evil and its impact on human life.
Understanding that all events are ultimately by Allah's will can lead to patience (sabr) in times of hardship and gratitude (shukr) in times of ease. It provides a framework for coping with life's vicissitudes and finding meaning in both positive and negative experiences.
The Quranic narrative around this concept guides believers to attribute blessings to Allah's grace and to reflect on their own actions as a cause for the evil that befalls them, without negating Allah's ultimate will.
📜 Hadith Perspective
The belief in divine decree is explicitly mentioned in the famous Hadith of Gabriel, where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ defines faith (iman) as believing in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and in the divine decree (al-qadar), both its good and its bad.
💎 Deeper Insights
The reconciliation between verses 4:78 and 4:79 provides a sophisticated theological framework that avoids both fatalism (the belief that humans have no control) and the idea of absolute human autonomy. It establishes a middle path that is a hallmark of Islamic theology.
— Ibn Kathir, Al-Qurtubi, Al-Tabari