What is Qadar (divine decree) and can it change

According to Ashʿarī and Māturīdī theology—the Sunni orthodox schools of creed—Qadar (divine decree) is a core belief. Additionally, there are layers or types of Qadar, in terms of what appears changeable to us and what is absolutely fixed with Allah.

There are two levels of Qadar:

• Conditional/Changeable (Lawh al-Mahw wa’l-Ithbāt)

• Fixed/Unchangeable (Lawh al-Mahfūz)

Lawh al-Mahw wa’l-Ithbāt (The Tablet of Erasure and Affirmation)

This is a "lower" level of decree that appears changeable, though ultimately under Allah’s eternal knowledge.

“Allah erases what He wills and confirms what He wills. And with Him is the Mother of the Book (Umm al-Kitāb).” Qur’an (13:39):

Here, certain destinies can appear to change, such as:

• Someone destined for a shorter life may live longer due to silat ar-rahim (maintaining family ties).

• A person may be saved from hardship due to duʿā’ (supplication) or charity.

This does not mean Allah doesn’t know the final outcome—it simply means we experience it as change due to our limited knowledge and perspective.

Lawh al-Mahfūz (The Preserved Tablet) / Umm al-Kitāb

This is the final, unchangeable, eternal decree—what Allah always knew and willed. Everything is written in it: life, death, provisions, actions, Heaven/Hell, etc. It never changes, because Allah's knowledge is Eternal, Perfect, and unchanging.

In relation to Allah’s Knowledge, nothing changes. What appears as change to us is already known and written by Allah from the beginning.

Conclusion

There are 2 levels of Qadar: One that can "change" (like through duʿā’, charity, good deeds)—Lawh al-Mahw wa’l-Ithbāt, and one that never changes—Allah’s eternal decree in Lawh al-Mahfūz.

But even what "changes" is already known and written by Allah eternally—so it only appears changeable from our human view.

And Allah know best.

Written by: Meurad Osman

Study Hanbali, Ashari, & Maturidi aqida at Arkview.org