To take an analogy from the law, something like judgement and execution.

To take an analogy from the law, something like judgement and execution. Some translators like Ivanow define it as chance: "Perhaps the best meaning would be -chance" FC, 70. This is diffuclt to justify. A full discussion of Sh. Saduq's views will be found in Tawhid, 291 sqq. Qadha 'and its ten meanings are discussed in Tawhid, 295 -297, but there is no clear distinction. See also MB, 72 for gada'; and 309 -311 for qadar (and qadr). The eight meanings of qadar are discussed in FC, no. 96.

After a full discussion of the problem one fully appreciates the advice of Majlisi (I'tiqadat, 81,bot.): و ليس لك التفكر في شبه القضاء و القدر و الخوض فيها، فإن الأئمة قد نهونا عن التفكر فيها فإن فيها شبهاً قويةً يعجز عقول أكثر الناس عن حلَّها، و قد ضلَّ فيها كثيرٌ من العلماء، فإياكَ و التفكر وا_ (illegible) فيها, Sh. Mufid also explains how God commands good acts and prohibits bad actions in terms of the doctrine of predestination, Tas. (Mur. iii.60-61). Previous…