Qismah
Definition
Qismah (قسمة) refers to the Islamic concept of destiny or fate that is foreordained by God. It represents the belief that the overall fate of human beings is governed by God’s omniscient foreknowledge and divine will.
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: قسمة (Qismah)
- Turkish: Kısmet
The Doctrine of Qismah
The doctrine of qismah holds that while everything in the universe functions according to God’s divine plan, human beings are endowed with the capacity to make meaningful choices between good and evil. This means that individual fate is a dynamic interplay between divine will and human free will. While God possesses absolute knowledge of all events, past, present, and future, individuals are accountable for their actions and decisions.
Key Concepts
- Divine Foreknowledge: God’s complete knowledge of all that will happen.
- Human Free Will: The capacity of individuals to make choices and decisions.
- Moral Accountability: The idea that humans are responsible for their actions.
Recommended Reading
- “The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam” by Muhammad Iqbal
- “The Vision of Islam” by Sachiko Murata and William C. Chittick
- “Islamic Philosophy, Theology, and Mysticism” by Majid Fakhry
Takeaways
- Qismah illustrates the balance in Islam between predestination and free will.
- It emphasizes that, while God has foreknowledge of human destiny, humans exercise free will in their moral and ethical decisions.
Conclusion
Understanding qismah offers profound insights into the philosophical and theological dimensions of Islam. It seamlessly marries the concepts of divine omniscience and human agency, insisting that, while God foresees all events, humans are earnest participants in shaping their moral trajectories.
Further Studies
- Explore: Textual references to qismah in the Qur’an and Hadith.
- Deepen: Engagement with classical Islamic scholarship on predestination and determinism.
By delving into qismah, students and scholars can appreciate the nuanced interplay between divine preordination and human responsibility, integral to Islamic thought.
