Monday, 11 May 2026 (24 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH)
Question: A man went out from his house driving a new car, with new tires, and everything in the car was in guaranteed sound condition. He was driving at a reasonable speed – the speedometer needle not going beyond 40 km per hour – when one of the car’s tires burst and it overturned, and he died. Was his death by Divine decree and predestination or not? Please mention a rule by which we distinguish actions that are by decree and predestination, and the opposite.
Answer – and from Allah is success: There is a rule which states: “The one who performs the cause is the one who performs the effect (result).” This rule is correct, and the evidence for it is what Allah, exalted is He, mentioned about the people of the Sabbath and their setting of the nets on Friday.
This driver himself was the cause of what happened. On this basis, whatever comes about due to the act of a human being and is generated from his act proceeds from him. For that reason, Allah, exalted is He, commanded the one who kills by mistake to pay the blood-money and perform the expiation, and He, exalted is He, said: “And take your precaution…” [An-Nisa:102].
We can say: Allah, exalted is He, leaving the driver and the occurrence of the error that led to his death is what is called decree and predestination.
Source: Min Thimār al-ʿIlm wa al-Ḥikmah vol.3