Article Surah 85 · Ayah 22
Destiny of all of Allah’s creation is recorded in the Lawh E Mahfuz -
Destiny of all of Allah’s creation is recorded in the Lawh E Mahfuz -
Firstly, if something is authentically established in the Qur’an and Sunnah regarding the actions of Allah, who are we to question what Allah does and why He does it? We should simply say:
“We hear and obey.” [An-Nisa 4:46]
Secondly, the scholars have mentioned that each writing of qadr is a detailed version of the original writing in the al-Lawh al-Mahfuz, and in that is evidence of Allah’s perfect and eternal knowledge, power and wisdom.
That which is in al-Lawh al-Mahfooz can never be changed. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” Narrated and classed as saheeh by al-Tirmidhi (2516). As for the pages which are in the hands of the angels (not from al-Lawh al-Mahfuz), Allah may command His angels to change it because of an act of worship that a Muslim does or because of a sin that he commits, but in the end it will not be anything other than that which was decreed from eternity. This is indicated by the verse in which Allah says:
يَمْحُو اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيُثْبِتُ ۖ وَعِندَهُ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ
“Allah blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills). And with Him is the Mother of the Book (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfooz).” [Al-Ra`d 13:39]
Al-Husayn bin al-Fadl was asked, “Has Allah not predestined the decrees of everything before He created the heavens and earth?” He replied, “Yes.” So it was said, “Then what is the meaning of laylat-ul-qadr?” He said, “Bringing the decrees of everything to their appointed times and executing the decrees of the pre-destined.”
And Ibn Katheer says in the tafseer of Allah’s statement:
فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ “Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments.” [Al-Dukhan 44:4]
“It means that on laylatul-qadr, the decrees are transferred from al-Lawh al-Mahfuz to the (angelic) scribes who write down the decrees of the coming year including life span, provision and what will happen until the end of the year. This was narrated from Ibn `Umar, Mujahid, Abu Malik, Al-Dahhak and others among the Salaf.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer)
The Prophet (ﷺ) urged us to do some acts of worship which have an effect of increasing a person’s lifespan, such as upholding ties of kinship, and he said that du`a can repel the divine decree (Jami' Al-Tirmidhi). What this means is that Allah knew from the beginning that His slave would do this act of worship, so He decreed for him a long life or a blessed provision, and on the contrary a person may commit a sin because of which he is deprived of provision, and Allah knew that and decreed it from eternity and decreed it according to His knowledge. Allah does not compel anyone to obey Him or disobey Him.
The Prophet (ﷺ) summed this up in one hadith: “Nothing increases one’s lifespan except righteousness and nothing repels the divine decree except du`a, and a man may be deprived of provision by a sin that he commits.”Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.
`Umar bin al-Khattab said when he was circumambulating the Ka`bah and weeping: “O Allah, if You have decreed that I should be doomed or commit sin, then erase it, for You erase whatever You will, and You confirm (whatever You will), and with You is the Mother of the Book, so make it happiness and forgiveness.” Al-Tabaraani The Tabi`i Abu Wa’il Shaqiq bin Salamah often used to supplicate with these words: “O Allah, if You have decreed that we be doomed, then erase it and decree that we be blessed. If You have decreed that we be blessed, then confirm it for us, for You erase whatever You will and You confirm (whatever You will), and with You is the Mother of the Book.” Tafseer al-Tabari, 7/398.
And Allah knows best.
Reference Link
Definition of Lawh Mahfuz -
Well-preserved tablet. Phrase used in Quran 85:22 to refer to the original codex or document on which the Quran, according to traditional commentators, was originally inscribed and which has always existed in heaven. Associated with another description of the divine archetype of revelation, “mother of the book” (Quran 3:6; 13:39; 43:3).
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The Mother of the 'book' (Umm-ul-Kitab)
The Mother of the 'book' (Umm-ul-Kitab) is the master source which is within God's presence. It is the original source and foundation from which all scriptures and revelations from God emanate including the Quran.
013.039
“God eliminates what He wills and confirms what He pleases: with Him is the Mother of the Book (Arabic: Umm ul-Kitab)”
043.002-4
“By the Book that makes things clear. Indeed, We have made it a Quran in Arabic, that ye may be able to understand. And indeed, it is in the Mother of the Book (Arabic: Umm-ul-Kitab), in our presence (Arabic: Ladayna), high (in dignity), full of wisdom”
The Umm-ul-Kitab is a source in the presence of God and is also referred to as the ‘Luh-e-Mahfuz’ (Guarded tablet) which is fully guarded and protected
085:021-22
“Nay! This is a Glorious Quran, (Inscribed) in a Tablet Guarded / Protected (Arabic: Luh-e-Mahfuz)”
FINAL THOUGHTS
It is absolutely clear when these verses are examined, that there exists a separate source which is only with God, a master source which cannot be corrupted and is guarded against (Umm-ul-Kitab - Mother of all Books). It is a master source from which all messages and scriptures have emanated and has been the source of fundamental teachings and truths that all messengers of God have delivered.