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🖥️ Unit Presentation
GRADE 8 — UNIT 1
Belief in Divine Decree and Destiny
Religious Culture and Ethics
Ayşe Yazıcı
🎯 What Will We Learn in This Unit?
- Belief in Destiny and Divine Decree
- Human Will and Destiny
- Concepts Related to Destiny
- Getting to Know a Prophet: Prophet Moses (peace be upon him)
- Getting to Know a Verse: Ayat al-Kursi and Its Meaning
📌 Belief in Destiny and Divine Decree (1/2)
- Destiny (kader) is Allah's determining, through His infinite knowledge and power, everything that will happen in the universe from beginning to end.
- Divine decree (kaza) is the bringing into being by Allah, at its appointed time and place, of what was known and predetermined in eternity.
- The force of gravity relates to the concept of destiny, while an object dropped from a height falling to the ground relates to the concept of divine decree.
📌 Belief in Destiny and Divine Decree (2/2)
- Almighty Allah has established certain laws to maintain harmony and order in the universe; this is called sunnatullah (God's unchanging way).
- Sunnatullah is divided into three: physical laws (concerning matter and energy), biological laws (concerning living beings), and social laws (concerning cause-and-effect relationships).
- Belief in destiny and divine decree is a consequence of belief in Allah and is one of the six articles of faith in Islam.
🤔 DID YOU KNOW?
The Qur'an describes the Sun and the Moon flowing along in their own orbits, and the day and night following one another, as visible proofs of Allah's decree.
📌 Human Will and Destiny (1/2)
- Human beings are created differently from other living things in that they possess reason and will; this makes them responsible for their actions.
- Will refers to wishing, choosing, deciding, and possessing the power and ability necessary to do so.
- Limited free will (cüzi irade) is the restricted freedom and power of choice given to human beings by Allah; absolute will (külli irade) is Allah's total and unlimited will.
❌ COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
❌ Some people blame destiny for their every action, saying things like "That's just how it was written for me, I have bad luck."
✅ A person is responsible for the choices they make of their own free will; they cannot escape responsibility by using destiny as an excuse.
📌 Human Will and Destiny (2/2)
- Matters that occur outside of a person's will (such as which parents they are born to or their physical characteristics) fall within the scope of Allah's absolute will; human beings are not held responsible for these.
- Responsibility means a person accepting the consequences of their own actions or of matters within their authority, and it entails being accountable.
🌍 A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE
A student who says "Whatever is meant for me will happen" without studying for an exam is attributing the outcome of a choice made with their own free will to destiny.
📌 Concepts Related to Destiny (1/2)
- Lifespan (ömür) is the limited period of time from birth to death; appointed time of death (ecel) is the moment life ends.
- Sustenance (rızık) is all the material and spiritual blessings Allah creates so that living beings can continue their lives; one must work and strive to obtain sustenance.
💭 THINK AND ANSWER
What is meant by the saying "Precaution is from us, the outcome is from Allah"?
📌 Concepts Related to Destiny (2/2)
- Reliance on God (tevekkül) means that after doing one's duty and taking the necessary precautions (tedbir), a person trusts in and relies upon Allah, awaiting the outcome from Him.
- Success is achieved through regular and planned effort; health is a person's state of complete physical, social, and spiritual well-being, and its impairment is called illness.
👨👩👧 DOING IT WITH MY FAMILY
Together with your family, prepare a short list of examples of "correct reliance on God" (such as studying and then taking the exam, or taking precautions before setting out on a journey).
📌 Getting to Know a Prophet: Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) (1/2)
- Prophet Moses was born in Egypt; under Allah's protection from Pharaoh's oppression, he was set adrift on the river and survived by growing up in Pharaoh's palace.
- After accidentally causing the death of an Egyptian in Egypt, he went to Midian; on his way back, Allah commissioned him as a prophet.
- He prayed for his brother Prophet Aaron to be sent to help him, and Allah accepted this prayer.
🔍 LET'S THINK DEEPER
- What can we learn from Prophet Moses's resolve when facing Pharaoh?
- Why is it important to be patient in the face of difficulties?
📌 Getting to Know a Prophet: Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) (2/2)
- Prophet Moses went to Pharaoh and showed miracles by Allah's permission (such as his staff turning into a snake); even Pharaoh's magicians came to believe.
- On the shore of the Red Sea, by Allah's command, he struck the sea with his staff, the sea parted, and he was saved along with his people; Pharaoh and his army drowned.
- In Prophet Moses's absence, Samiri had the Israelites make a golden calf statue; when Prophet Moses returned, he warned them.
⚖️ MORAL DILEMMA — WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
A friend says, "It doesn't matter if I don't study, whatever is in my destiny will happen anyway." Thinking about the correct understanding of reliance on God, what would you say to them?
🔑 Key Concepts (1/2)
🔑 Key Concepts (2/2)
📖 LET'S REFLECT ON THE VERSES
"[He is] the cleaver of the daybreak, and He has made the night for rest, and the sun and moon for calculation. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing."
— Surah al-An'am, verse 96
📖 LET'S REFLECT ON THE VERSES
"Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned..."
— Surah al-Baqarah, verse 286
🎬 RELATED VIDEO
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Belief in Divine Decree and Destiny
✅ SELF-ASSESSMENT
- ☐ I can explain the concepts of destiny and divine decree with examples.
- ☐ I can list the concept of sunnatullah and its types of laws.
- ☐ I know the difference between limited free will and Allah's absolute will.
- ☐ I can explain the correct understanding of reliance on God with examples.
- ☐ I can outline the life of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him).
📝 Unit Summary
- Belief in Destiny and Divine Decree
- Human Will and Destiny
- Concepts Related to Destiny
- Getting to Know a Prophet: Prophet Moses (peace be upon him)
- Getting to Know a Verse: Ayat al-Kursi and Its Meaning
Thank You for Listening
I wish you success.
Ayşe Yazıcı — Religious Culture and Ethics Teacher
📝 Written Exams
📖 Unit 1 Topic Summary: Belief in Divine Decree and Destiny
1️⃣ Belief in Destiny and Divine Decree
The sun rising every morning, your heart beating without stopping, the seasons always arriving in the same order... Have you ever wondered why these things happen so regularly?
🎯 In this section: We will learn about the concepts of destiny and divine decree, and their relationship to the order in the universe.
Everything in the universe, from the smallest cell to the galaxies, exists in measure and harmony. The continuation of this order occurs through the will and decree of Almighty Allah.
Destiny (kader) is Allah's determining, through His infinite knowledge and power, everything that will happen in the universe from beginning to end. Divine decree (kaza) is the bringing into being of what has been determined, by Allah, at its appointed time and place. The two complement each other: destiny can be thought of as the "plan," and divine decree as that plan "coming into effect."
Almighty Allah has established certain laws to maintain this harmony in the universe; these are called sunnatullah. Sunnatullah is divided into three: physical laws concerning matter, biological laws concerning living beings, and social laws concerning society.
📖 Let's Reflect on the Verse
"[He is] the cleaver of the daybreak, and He has made the night for rest, and the sun and moon for calculation. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing."
— Surah al-An'am, verse 96
Its message: Even an event as ordinary-seeming as the sunrise is, in fact, part of an order that Allah has determined with precise calculation.
🏠 From Our Lives
A pen falling to the ground after you let go of it is an example of the concept of divine decree; the existence of the force of gravity that pulls the pen down relates to the concept of destiny. In other words, the rule (destiny) always stays the same, while that rule taking effect each time (divine decree) happens over and over again.
📌 Remember!
- Destiny (kader): Allah's knowing and determining everything in advance.
- Divine decree (kaza): What has been determined coming into being when its time arrives.
- Sunnatullah: The unchanging rules Allah has established in the universe (physical, biological, social).
💭 Let's Think
Which of the events that happened to you today could be considered "destiny" (an unchanging rule), and which "divine decree" (that rule taking effect right now)? Think of an example.
📝 In summary: Destiny is the unchanging order and decree Allah has established in the universe; divine decree is this determination coming into being when its time arrives. The rules that maintain this order are called sunnatullah.
Test Yourself — Law or Occurrence?
Notice the order in the universe and relate it to the event in which it occurs.The universe operates within certain laws and measures. In the examples below, first notice the order or law, then the event in which that order comes into being. Place each card in the DESTINY or DIVINE DECREE area.
ℹ️ Note: All of the examples here concern physical and biological laws in which human will plays no part. Actions a person takes by their own choice fall outside this distinction — those involve human will and responsibility.
You have completed the attempt.
🔵 The DESTINY examples in this attempt
🟡 The DIVINE DECREE examples in this attempt
Now really put yourself to the test.
🤔 ThinkNot scored
There are no right or wrong answers to the questions here. The goal is for you to be able to explain the concepts in your own words.
1. What is the difference between the physical law that makes a stone fall to the ground and the stone actually falling to the ground?
2. How would you explain the relationship between the existence of the laws of the universe and the coming into being of those laws, using the concepts of destiny and divine decree?
2️⃣ Human Will and Destiny
Did you choose which parents you would be born to, or are you the one choosing whether or not to study for class today? There is an important difference between the two.
🎯 In this section: We will learn why having free will makes a human being responsible.
Human beings are created differently from other living things in that they possess reason and will; this trait makes them responsible for their actions. Through reason, a person thinks, learns, and investigates; will is the ability to wish, choose, and decide.
Human will is divided into two. The limited freedom of choice Allah gives to human beings is called limited free will (cüzi irade) — choices such as studying or telling the truth fall under this. Allah's own absolute and unlimited will is called absolute will (külli irade) — everything we cannot choose ourselves, such as which parents we are born to or our physical characteristics, falls under this.
This is exactly where responsibility comes in: a human being is responsible — and must answer — not for matters within Allah's absolute will, but for the choices made through their own limited free will.
📌 Remember!
- Limited free will (cüzi irade): The limited freedom of choice given to human beings — our own choices.
- Absolute will (külli irade): Allah's absolute and unlimited will — the things we cannot choose.
- A human being is responsible only for the choices made through their own limited free will.
❌ Common Misconceptions
❌ Some people think they can escape responsibility for their own choices by saying, "That's just how it was written for me, I have bad luck."
✅ A person is responsible for the choices they make with their own free will; they cannot escape responsibility by using destiny as an excuse.
🏠 From Our Lives
A student who says "Whatever is meant for me will happen" without studying at all for an exam wrongly attributes the outcome of a decision made with their own free will (the decision not to study) to destiny.
💭 Let's Think
Which of your actions today was a decision made entirely through your own free will? Why are you responsible for the outcome of that decision?
📝 In summary: Limited free will is our own choices, while absolute will is Allah's unlimited will. A human being is responsible only for their own choices (their limited free will).
3️⃣ Concepts Related to Destiny
We often hear phrases like "it's written in fate," "it's kismet," "I put my trust in God" in everyday life. But what do these words really mean, and are they all being used correctly?
🎯 In this section: We will learn the correct meanings of destiny-related concepts such as lifespan, appointed time of death, sustenance, reliance on God, success, and health.
Lifespan (ömür) is the period of time from birth to death; appointed time of death (ecel) is the moment this lifespan ends. Sustenance (rızık) is all the material and spiritual blessings Allah gives to living beings — but reaching one's sustenance requires working and striving, not sitting and waiting.
This is exactly where the concept of reliance on God (tevekkül) comes in: a person first does their part and takes the necessary precautions (tedbir), then leaves the outcome to Allah. In other words, reliance on God does not mean "waiting without doing anything" — quite the opposite, it means "waiting with trust after doing everything within your power."
The same logic applies to success, health, and illness: success comes through regular effort, we must take precautions to protect our health, and when we fall ill we must not neglect treatment by simply saying "it was meant to be."
📌 Remember!
- Reliance on God (tevekkül) = First take precautions + then trust in Allah. It is not just waiting!
- Sustenance requires working and striving; begging is not considered proper in Islam.
- It is wrong to neglect treatment, work, or precautions by saying "it was meant to be."
💭 Let's Think
What is meant by the saying, "Precaution is from us, and the outcome is from Allah"? Explain in your own words.
👨👩👧 From Our Lives
Together with your family, prepare a short list of examples of "proper reliance on God" (such as studying and then taking an exam, or having your car checked before a trip).
📝 In summary: Lifespan, appointed time of death, and sustenance are determined by Allah; reliance on God is a concept that means working first and then trusting in Allah. Success, health, and treatment follow the same logic: effort first, then reliance on God.
4️⃣ Getting to Know a Prophet: Prophet Moses (as)
Imagine a baby: set adrift on a river, raised in his enemy's palace, and then sent as a prophet against that very enemy. This is the story of Prophet Moses (as).
🎯 In this section: We will learn the outline of Prophet Moses's (as) life and struggle.
When Prophet Moses was born in Egypt, Pharaoh was having the male children of the Children of Israel killed. Placed on the river under Allah's protection, Prophet Moses was, remarkably, raised in Pharaoh's own palace, cared for by his own mother.
In his youth, after accidentally causing a man's death in a fight, he went to Midian. On his way back, Allah appointed him as a prophet; Prophet Moses prayed for his brother Prophet Aaron to help him, and this prayer was answered.
When he went to Pharaoh, he showed miracles by Allah's permission: his staff turned into a huge serpent, and even the magicians gathered by Pharaoh came to believe in the face of this. On the shore of the Red Sea, when he struck the sea with his staff, it parted; Prophet Moses and his people were saved, while Pharaoh and his army drowned. When Prophet Moses went to Mount Sinai, Samiri had a golden calf statue made for his people; upon his return, Prophet Moses warned them and called them to repentance.
📌 Remember!
- Prophet Moses grew up in Pharaoh's palace and was sent as a prophet against him.
- His brother Prophet Aaron was sent to help him.
- Samiri had a calf statue made for the people in Prophet Moses's absence.
🔍 Let's Think Deeply
Ask yourself these questions to deeply evaluate what you've learned in this unit:
- What can I learn from Prophet Moses's determination in the face of Pharaoh?
- How does being patient in the face of hardship contribute to my life?
- What does a proper understanding of reliance on God change in my daily life?
⚖️ Moral Dilemma — What Would You Do In Their Place?
A friend of yours says, "It doesn't matter if I don't study — whatever is meant to happen will happen." Considering the proper understanding of reliance on God and responsibility, what would you say to them?
📝 In summary: Prophet Moses (as) grew up in Pharaoh's palace and was sent as a prophet against him; through the miracles he showed by Allah's permission, he saved his people from oppression.
5️⃣ Learning a Verse: Ayat al-Kursi and Its Meaning
Have you ever wondered which is one of the most frequently recited verses after prayer? The answer: Ayat al-Kursi.
🎯 In this section: We will learn Ayat al-Kursi and the message it conveys.
Ayat al-Kursi is verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah; it takes its name from the word "kursi" (throne/seat) that appears in it. The verse begins by emphasizing that Allah is the only deity; it describes Him as ever-living (Al-Hayy) and as sustaining and governing all of existence (Al-Qayyum).
The verse emphasizes that Allah's knowledge, will, and power encompass everything, and that nothing is a burden to Him.
🕌 Ayat al-Kursi — Transliteration and Meaning
| Bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim. | In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. |
| Allahu la ilaha illa huwal-hayyul-qayyum | There is no deity except Allah. He is ever-living (Al-Hayy), the sustainer and protector of all existence (Al-Qayyum). |
| La ta'khudhuhu sinatuw-wala nawm | Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. |
| Lahu ma fis-samawati wa ma fil-ard | To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. |
| Man dhal-ladhi yashfa'u indahu illa bi-idhnih | Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? |
| Ya'lamu ma bayna aydihim wa ma khalfahum | He knows what is before them and what is behind them. |
| Wa la yuhituna bi-shay'im min ilmihi illa bima sha' | And they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He wills. |
| Wasi'a kursiyyuhus-samawati wal-ard | His Kursi (dominion/knowledge) extends over the heavens and the earth. |
| Wa la ya'uduhu hifzuhuma | And their preservation does not tire Him. |
| Wa huwal-aliyyul-azim | And He is the Most High, the Most Great. |
📖 Let's Reflect on the Verse
"...Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth... His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation does not tire Him. And He is the Most High, the Most Great."
— Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 255 (Ayat al-Kursi)
Its message: Allah is never tired by anything and is never inattentive for a single moment; He knows and watches over everything, at all times and in all places.
📌 Remember!
- Ayat al-Kursi is verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah — it is not a separate, standalone surah.
- Al-Hayy: Allah's being ever-living. Al-Qayyum: His sustaining and governing all things.
- It is recommended to recite it after the obligatory prayers.
📝 In summary: Ayat al-Kursi is a verse that describes Allah's oneness, knowledge, will, and power, and it is recommended to recite it after prayers.
✅ Self-Assessment
📝 Topic Review Test (50 Questions)
🎯 MEB Learning Outcomes
Source: 2018 RCE Curriculum (MEB Board of Education) — 8.1. Belief in Divine Decree and Destiny
- 8.1.1 — Explains the concepts of destiny and divine decree by relating them to each other.
- 8.1.2 — Evaluates the concept of sunnatullah with examples.
- 8.1.3 — Establishes the relationship between a human being's possession of free will and their responsibility.
- 8.1.4 — Correctly interprets destiny-related concepts (such as appointed time of death, sustenance, reliance on God).
- 8.1.5 — Distinguishes between correct and incorrect understandings of destiny/reliance on God.
- 8.1.6 — Knows the outline of the life of Prophet Moses (as).
- 8.1.7 — Reads Ayat al-Kursi and reflects on its meaning.
🗺️ Concept Map
The key concepts identified in the MEB curriculum for this unit are shown below in connection with the unit theme.