20th January 2026
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Question: If everything is decreed for everyone’s destiny then why should some people go to hell? Is it fair that Allāh has already decided where their final abode is?
الجواب حامداً و مصلياً
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer: In response to your inquiry, belief in divine decree is firmly established in Islam. Divine decree is a manifestation of Allāh’s Infinite knowledge of His creation. Allāh knew all things; their lifespan, provision, deeds, birth, death and their outcomes, before bringing them into existence and recorded them according to His knowledge, will and wisdom. This belief does not mean that humans are forced to act, nor does it imply injustice on Allāh’s part.[1] Human beings possess intellect to make certain choices and given some control over them to do right and wrong under Allāh’s will, and hence they act accordingly and will be judged by their deeds. For this reason, reward and punishment are connected to what people choose to do.[2] If someone is decreed to go to hell then it is because of their own actions.
Allāh enables each person to follow the path they incline towards. According to a prophet narration, each person is facilitated for those actions they are destined for. Those who seek guidance are assisted with good deeds and those who turn away from guidance indulge in sins. [3]
It is important to note that accountability applies to actions done knowingly and intentionally. Mistakes, forgetfulness, and actions done under compulsion are not punished. Allāh does not hold into account nor punish those actions beyond one’s natural capacity. The people of Hell are punished because of their disbelief, rebellion or sins after when guidance has been made clear to them.[4]
[Allāh Knows Best]
Written by: Apa Sumayya Qazi Reviewed by: Mufti Abdul Waheed
Attested by: Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam
JKN Fatawa Department
[1] Quran, Surah Qamar, Ayah 49.
اِناَّ كُلًَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْناهُ بِقَدْرٍ.
Sahih Muslim, Vol 1, Hadith 8.
قال النبي ﷺ أن تؤمن بالله وملائكته ورسله واليوم الآخر وتؤمن بالقدر خيره و شرّه.
Imam al-Tahawi, Sharah-Al Aqidah Al-Tahawi, pg 20-25.
وعلم الله تعالى ما العباد عاملون قبل أن يخلقهم.
Sahih Bukhari, Vol 5, Hadith 3208.
قال النبي ﷺ فيكتب رزقه و أجله و عمله و شقي أو سعيد.
Quran, Surah Hadid, Ayah 22.
مَا اَصاَبَ مِنْ مُصِيْبَةٍ فِيً الأرضِ وَ لَا اَنْفُسِهكُم اِلَّا فِي كِتاَبٍ مِنْ قَبْلَ اَنْ نّبْرَأَهَا.
[2] Quran, Surah Kahf, Ayah 29.
فَمَنْ شاءَ فَلْيُؤمِنْ وَ مَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُر.
Quran, Surah Al-Bakra, Ayah 286.
لَا يُكَّلِفُ اللهُ نَفْساً اِلَّا وُسْعَها.
[3] Sahih Bukhari, Vol 6, Hadith 4949.
قال رسول اللهُ ﷺ اعملوا فكل ميسر لما خلق له.
[4] Sunan Ibne Majah, Vol 3, Hadith 2045.
قال رسول اللهُ ﷺ إن الله تجاوز لي عن أمتي الخطاً والنسيان وما استكرهوا عليه
Quran, Surah Al-Nisa, Ayah 40.
اِنَّ اللهَ لَا يُظْلِمُ مِثْقاَلَ ذَرَّةٍ .
Quran, Fussilat, Ayah 46.
وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَّلامٍ لِلعَبِيْدِ.