Karma
Why Karma is Un-Islamic
Summary:
The concept of karma, originating from Hinduism and Buddhism, suggests that one’s actions inevitably result in corresponding consequences—good or bad—determined by a metaphysical force of the universe. While Islam similarly emphasizes the consequences of actions, the key difference lies in the source of accountability and causality. In Islam, it is Allah alone who decrees outcomes and rewards or punishes actions based on His knowledge, wisdom, and justice. Assigning cause and effect to an impersonal force like karma contradicts the tawhid (oneness of Allah) central to Islamic theology.
Key Differences Between Islam and Karma
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The Source of Justice:
- Karma: Justice is attributed to an abstract, impersonal force that automatically balances actions through reincarnation or universal causality.
- Islam: Justice is solely in the hands of Allah. He is Al-Adl (The Just) and Al-Hakeem (The Wise), rewarding or punishing actions as He wills, in this world or the Hereafter.
- “Indeed, Allah does not do injustice, [even] as much as an atom’s weight; while if there is a good deed, He multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward.” Quran 4:40
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Causality and Control:
- Karma: Actions directly and inevitably cause outcomes in a deterministic manner. It denies divine will and instead relies on universal laws.
- Islam: Events occur by the will of Allah (qadr or divine decree). While actions have consequences, Allah may delay, forgive, or increase their outcomes based on His mercy, wisdom, and justice.
- “Allah forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills, for Allah is over all things competent.” Quran 2:284
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Belief in Reincarnation vs. Resurrection:
- Karma: The soul undergoes multiple reincarnations (rebirths) to “balance” past actions.
- Islam: Human beings are resurrected on the Day of Judgment to face a single and final reckoning for their deeds.
- “And be afraid of the Day when you shall be brought back to Allah. Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly.” Quran 2:281
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Role of Intention:
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Karma: Outcomes are focused on actions alone, regardless of intention.
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Islam: Actions are judged by intention (niyyah), as stated in the Hadith:
“Actions are but by intention, and every man will have only what he intended.” (Bukhari 1:1)
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Divine Mercy and Forgiveness:
- Karma: The cycle of cause and effect is rigid and unforgiving; one must “pay” for their actions through suffering or rebirth.
- Islam: Allah’s mercy is greater than His wrath. Sincere repentance (tawbah) can wipe out sins completely, breaking the link between past actions and their consequences.
- “Say: O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” Quran 39:53
Why Karma Conflicts with Tawhid (Oneness of Allah):
- Attributing justice or consequences to an impersonal universal force like karma undermines Allah’s absolute power, will, and authority.
- Belief in karma implies shirk (associating partners with Allah), as it replaces Allah’s divine attributes—such as Al-Hakeem (The Wise) and Al-Qadir (The All-Powerful)—with an abstract mechanism of causality.
- Islam teaches that everything in the universe happens by Allah’s will and command, not by a blind or predetermined “law” outside His authority.
Reflective Questions:
- How does understanding Allah’s divine decree (qadr) strengthen your faith and reliance on Him?
- How can sincere repentance (tawbah) help break the consequences of past sins?
- Why is the concept of Allah’s mercy superior to deterministic systems like karma?
Rabbit Holes:
Divine Decree (Qadr), Allah’s Mercy in Islam, Day of Judgment in Islam