The word qadar or qadr literally means the measurement or magnitude of a thing...

The word qadar or qadr literally means the measurement or magnitude of a thing, and with respect to the existing phenomena while considering the principle of causation, it refers to the existential characteristics and properties of each of the phenomena which are the effects of characteristics and properties of its cause.[^7] In other words, each of the parts of the cause provides its own suitable measurement and form to the effect, and the occurrence of the effect is consistent and concordant with the totality of measurements determined for it by the complete cause.[^8] What is meant by the Divine decree is that God has foreknowledge of the limits and characteristics of each of the creatures and as such, they will be materialized.

For instance, the Holy Qur’an states: ﴿ وَإِنْ مِنْ شَيْءٍ إِلّا عِنْدَنَا خَزَائِنُهُ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهُ إِلّا بِقَدَرٍ مَعْلُومٍ ﴾ “There is not a thing but that its sources are with Us, and We do not send it down except in a known measure.” [^9] It is also stated, thus: ﴿ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا ﴾ “Certainly Allah has set a measure for everything.” [^10] ﴿ إِنَّا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْنَاهُ بِقَدَرٍ ﴾ “Indeed We have created everything in a measure.” [^11] ﴿ وَكُلُّ شَيْءٍ عِنْدَهُ بِمِقْدَارٍ ﴾ “And everything is by [precise] measure with Him.” [^12] It can thus be inferred that qadar (decree) has two stage: (1) the stage prior to the existence of the thing (mental decree) and (2) the stage parallel to the existence of the thing (actual decree).[^13] In a tradition narrated by Yūnus ibn ‘Abd al-Raḥmān from Imām al-Riḍā ( ‘a ), qaḍā and qadar have been interpreted to mean the existential fixedness and limits of the things.

For instance, on the interpretation of qadar , it is thus stated: هِيَ الهَنْدَسَةُ وَوَضْعُ الحُدودِ مِنَ البَقاءِ والفَناءِ. “It is the geometry and determination of the limits [of a thing] in terms of subsistence and extinction.” And on the interpretation of qaḍā , it is thus stated: هُوَ الإبرامُ وَإقامَةُ العَينِ.

“It is to strengthen and build up a reality.”[^14] Reinforcement of the Free-will on the Basis of the Principle of Qaḍā and Qadar The above analysis and interpretation of qaḍā and qadar is not only not in conflict with man’s free-will but it even reinforces it, for as stated earlier, qaḍā means qaṭ‘iyyah (finality or fixedness) of the occurrence of an action which differs according to the realization of its complete cause.

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