Belief in Qadar

14 Grade 9 Religious Education (IRE) questions on Belief in Qadar, with worked marking schemes. 14 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   A footballer trains hard but still loses an important match and becomes very angry, blaming everyone. His coach, a Muslim, reminds him about belief in Qadar. What is the correct attitude that belief in Qadar should produce?

   A. Stop making any effort because everything is fixed anyway

   B. Make sincere effort, then accept Allah's decree with patience and contentment

   C. Blame Allah for the loss

   D. Believe that humans have no responsibility for their actions

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   6 marks

   Explain three effects of belief in Qadar on the life of a Muslim.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any 3 x 2 marks: instils patience (sabr) during trials/hardship knowing they are from Allah; promotes humility and prevents arrogance during success/prosperity; frees one from excessive fear, anxiety and greed; encourages contentment (qana'ah) with Allah's decree; motivates one to strive with effort while trusting Allah for the outcome; discourages despair and suicide.

3. Question 3

   1 mark

   Belief in Qadar is one of the articles of faith. Qadar refers to Allah's:

   A. Angels and their duties

   B. Divine decree and predestination

   C. Revealed books

   D. Ninety-nine names

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   The Arabic term Tawakkul, closely linked to belief in Qadar, means:

   A. Predicting the future

   B. Blaming Allah for misfortune

   C. Abandoning all effort

   D. Reliance/trust in Allah after taking the necessary means

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   Which record does a Muslim believe contains Allah's decree of all things?

   A. The minbar

   B. The Qiblah

   C. The Ka'bah

   D. Al-Lawh al-Mahfudh (the Preserved Tablet)

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   6 marks

   After failing to qualify for the football team despite training hard, Khalid says, 'It was all qadar, so there was no point in me even trying.'

   (a) Explain the correct Islamic understanding of qadar in relation to human effort. (4 marks)

   (b) Quote ONE teaching of the Prophet (S.A.W.) that corrects Khalid's attitude. (2 marks)

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Belief in qadar (divine decree) means that everything happens by Allah's knowledge and will, but this does NOT cancel human responsibility and effort. A Muslim is required to take the lawful means (asbab) - to work, train and prepare - and then to entrust the outcome to Allah (tawakkul). Using qadar as an excuse for laziness is a misunderstanding; we are accountable for our own choices and effort, and the result is then accepted as Allah's decree, whether favourable or not. (Up to 4 marks.) (b) Any ONE: 'Be keen on what benefits you, seek the help of Allah, and do not be helpless (do not give up)' (Sahih Muslim). OR the hadith of tying the camel: a man asked, 'Shall I tie my camel and rely on Allah, or leave it loose and rely on Allah?' The Prophet (S.A.W.) said, 'Tie it and rely on Allah' (Sunan al-Tirmidhi). (2 marks.)

7. Question 7

   5 marks

   Hamisi's business collapses despite hard work, and he begins to blame Allah and abandon his prayers.

   (a) Explain why his reaction shows a weakness in his belief in Qadar.

   (b) Advise him on the correct Islamic response.

   (5 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) 2 marks: blaming Allah rejects the belief that Allah's decree contains wisdom and that trials are a test; abandoning prayer is despair which contradicts sabr and tawakkul. (b) Any 3 x 1 mark: accept the loss patiently as Allah's decree; continue seeking lawful means to rebuild; increase du'a and reliance on Allah; view the trial as a test that may bring reward; not despair of Allah's mercy.

8. Question 8

   1 mark

   After failing an exam he prepared poorly for, Yusuf says, 'It was all qadar, so studying makes no difference.' His teacher corrects this misunderstanding. Which response reflects the correct Islamic belief in Qadar?

   A. We must take the lawful means (asbab) and then trust Allah, for we are accountable for our choices

   B. Yusuf is right; since everything is decreed, human effort is pointless

   C. Belief in qadar means we should never plan for the future at all

   D. Failure proves Allah does not love him

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   4 marks

   State four things that a Muslim believes are included in Allah's decree (Qadar).

   (4 marks)

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10. Question 10

    6 marks

    Some youth argue that since everything is predestined, human effort is useless. Refute this view using the Islamic understanding of Qadar.

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any 3 well-explained points x 2 marks: Allah decreed both the ends and the means, so humans must pursue lawful means/effort (kasb); the Prophet combined trust with action e.g. 'tie your camel and trust in Allah'; humans have free will and are accountable for their choices, so effort matters; Qadar being hidden/unknown to us means we must strive as if outcome depends on us; Islam condemns laziness and rewards striving.

11. Question 11

    1 mark

    Which of the following correctly balances belief in Qadar with human responsibility?

    A. A driver removes his seatbelt because his time of death is fixed

    B. A patient takes medicine while trusting Allah for the cure

    C. A farmer refuses to plant, saying the harvest is already decreed

    D. A student skips revision, claiming results are predestined

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    1 mark

    Amina passes her national examination after studying hard and praying. Which statement best reflects correct belief in Qadar?

    A. Qadar means she need not have studied at all

    B. Her effort was pointless since everything is already decreed

    C. Her success proves Qadar does not exist

    D. She combined effort (kasb) with reliance on Allah's decree

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    A Muslim who loses property in a fire says, 'This is from Allah; He is the best of planners.' This response demonstrates:

    A. Sabr (patience) and acceptance of Allah's decree

    B. Kufr (disbelief)

    C. Denial of Qadar

    D. Neglect of worldly means

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    1 mark

    Belief in Qadar teaches that both good and evil outcomes occur:

    A. Purely by chance and luck

    B. Only if humans permit them

    C. Independently of Allah's knowledge

    D. By Allah's knowledge and will, though humans choose their actions

    (1 mark)

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