Human Free Will in Destiny: The Balanced Path

Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām

Background of the Question​

A view was presented that human actions are already written in destiny, but the manner in which those actions are carried out — their method, form, and timing — is left to human choice.


Example:

• If Allah has written that a person will build a mosque, he will certainly build it.
• But the style, design, and time of construction are left to his decision.
• Likewise, if a sin is decreed, the sin will occur, but its type, severity, and circumstances are determined by the human intellect.

Summary of this view: The occurrence of the act is fixed in destiny, but its details are left to human choice.


Question: Is this view correct?

Destiny — An Ancient Issue of Disagreement​

The topic of qadar (divine decree) has long been debated, and three main positions have emerged:

① The Extremist Position in Affirming Destiny​

• These people affirmed Allah’s all-encompassing decree but completely denied human choice.
• According to them, man is entirely compelled in all actions, like falling from a roof in a strong wind and walking down the stairs voluntarily — both are the same.

② The Extremist Position in Affirming Free Will​

• These people claimed complete free will for humans.
• They believe man is independent in all his actions and that these actions have no link to Allah’s decree.

③ The Balanced Path​

• This group considered both aspects and adopted a moderate view:
  
  1. Human actions occur by both Allah’s decree and the person’s own will.
  2. An involuntary fall due to wind is beyond human choice, but walking down stairs is voluntary.
  3. Both are under Allah’s decree, but man is accountable only for voluntary acts.

Accountability and Responsibility​

• Islamic rulings apply to actions within human control.
• Saying “I did this because it was written for me” is not a valid excuse because:
  
  1. Humans do not know what is written for them in advance.
  2. They only find out after the act has happened.

Analysis of the Examples​

Mosque building example:

• Saying that building the mosque is decreed but its manner is fully man’s choice is incorrect.
• Reality:
  
  • The intention to build the mosque is itself a choice of the person.
  • Allah has decreed both the intention and the manner in which it will occur.

Committing a sin:

• Same principle as above.
• If Allah has decreed a sin for someone:
  
  • It only occurs through the person’s own choice and intention.
  • At the time of the act, the person does not know he is “compelled.”
  • The nature and details of the sin are also part of Allah’s decree.

Qur’ānic Evidence​

• ﴿أَلَم تَعلَم أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَعلَمُ ما فِى السَّماءِ وَالأَرضِ إِنَّ ذلِكَ فى كِتـبٍ إِنَّ ذلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسيرٌ﴾ (Sūrah al-Ḥajj: 70)
• ﴿وَلَو شاءَ رَبُّكَ ما فَعَلوهُ…﴾ (Sūrah al-Anʿām: 112, 137)
• ﴿وَلَو شاءَ اللَّهُ مَا اقتَتَلوا…﴾ (Sūrah al-Baqarah: 253)

Practice of the Companions​

• The Companions avoided delving into the hidden secrets of destiny.
• They focused on action, not on speculative argument.

Guidance from the Prophet ﷺ​

In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ instructed the believers to work and not to rely solely on what is written:


«اِعْمَلُوا فَكُلٌّ مُيَسَّرٌ لِمَا خُلِقَ لَهُ…»
“Work, for everyone will be facilitated towards what he was created for. The one who is destined for happiness will find it easy to do the deeds of the people of happiness, and the one destined for misery will find it easy to do the deeds of the people of misery.”


He then recited: (Sūrah al-Layl: 5–10)
﴿فَأَمّا مَن أَعطى وَاتَّقى… فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِليُسرى﴾

Conclusion​

• Belief in qadar is obligatory, but delving into its hidden nature is forbidden.
• Abandoning action under the pretext of destiny is misguidance.
• The believer should strive in righteous deeds and ask Allah for guidance and ease.

اللّٰهُمَّ هَدِنَا لِصَالِحِ الْأَعْمَالِ وَيَسِّرْ لَنَا سُبُلَ الْخَيْرِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ