إِنَّا كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقْنَـٰهُ بِقَدَرٍ 49
Translations
Indeed, all things We created with predestination.
Transliteration
Inna kulla shay'in khalaqnahu biqadar
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah has created everything with precise measure and divine decree (qadr). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that every creation exists according to Allah's predetermined plan—nothing occurs by chance or accident. This establishes the fundamental Islamic doctrine of qadr (divine decree) while maintaining human responsibility, as the ayah appears in a surah emphasizing both Allah's perfect knowledge and the consequences of human actions.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Qamar is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Prophet Muhammad's mission, addressing the Meccan disbelievers' rejection of the resurrection and divine decree. This particular ayah fits within the broader theme of the surah, which repeatedly emphasizes how Allah has made everything easy (yasarna) according to His will, and serves as a response to those who deny predestination and accountability.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Each one of you is collected (in the womb of the mother) for forty days, then for another forty days, then for another forty days, and then the angel is sent and he blows the spirit into him...' - This hadith relates to the predetermined nature of creation. Also relevant: Sahih Bukhari narrates that the Prophet said, 'The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried' (al-aqdar have been written).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to recognize that the universe operates according to Allah's perfect wisdom and plan, which should inspire both trust in Allah's providence and accountability for our choices, as we act within the framework of divine decree. Understanding qadr helps Muslims balance between reliance on Allah and active responsibility in pursuing righteous action.