Overview
The discussion addresses concerns about free will and predestination (qadar) in Islam, emphasizing Allah’s complete knowledge and justice while affirming human responsibility for choices.
Understanding Free Will and Predestination
- Allah is all-wise, all-knowing, and just, having created all things and decreed destinies.
- Human beings experience free will in everyday decisions and actions.
- Examples are provided (choosing not to jump from a building or touch something hot) to illustrate practical free will.
- Individuals do not have knowledge of what Allah has predestined for them (e.g., death, provision, success, marriage, children).
- Despite predestination, people must still act—studying, working, and making life choices.
The Nature of Allah’s Knowledge
- Allah’s knowledge is not comparable to human knowledge, which is limited and constrained.
- Allah knows everything: the past, present, future, and even hypothetical scenarios.
- Only Allah has knowledge of everything that will happen and the outcomes of all possibilities.
Spiritual Guidance and Reassurance
- Believers are encouraged to trust Allah’s wisdom, fairness, and justice in all matters.
- Negative thoughts about the validity of one’s faith should be rejected as tricks from Satan.
- Maintain positive expectations of Allah, trusting in His complete justice and mercy.
Recommendations / Advice
- Do not worry about the validity of your faith due to misunderstandings of predestination.
- Focus on fulfilling personal responsibilities and making positive choices, while trusting Allah’s wisdom and justice.
- Avoid letting doubts disturb your heart, and seek reassurance in the attributes of Allah.