Written by: Mazammil Sheikh Bismil
✿ Determining Freedom and Compulsion
To understand the question of human freedom and compulsion, it is essential to examine the areas where man is free and where he is compelled. If one claims that man is completely free, this equates to denying predestination. Conversely, if one claims that man is entirely compelled, it renders the concept of reward and punishment meaningless. Therefore, the moderate view is that man is neither completely free nor entirely compelled. This topic can be better understood by separately outlining human freedom and compulsion.
✿ Compulsions: Human Limitations
In some matters, man has no control, such as:
✔ Race and color: Man has no control over his race or color.
✔ Birth and death: When and where one is born, and when one will die, are beyond human control.
✔ Environmental and natural conditions: Many factors affecting man, such as climate or geography, are also beyond his control.
✿ Freedom: Voluntary Actions
In many matters, man enjoys freedom, for example:
✔ Eating, drinking, moving, running, and other intentional movements.
✔ These voluntary actions are either completely or partially within human control.
✿ The Concept of “Kisab” (Acquisition)
Kisab or acquisition refers to man’s efforts in performing his actions. However, the outcome of these efforts is not within his control. This very kisab becomes the criterion for reward and punishment:
✔ Result of goodness: Leads to reward.
✔ Result of evil: Leads to punishment.
✿ Lack of Control Over Outcomes
The outcome of man’s efforts is not always according to his will, for example:
✔ A person may not achieve the desired success despite having all the resources and putting in great effort.
✔ Sometimes, success comes without any effort.
✿ Four Levels of Outcomes
➊ Outcome according to one’s wish.
➋ Achieving the desired result after reasonable effort.
➌ Gaining success after intense effort.
➍ Failure despite all efforts and measures.
✿ Different Levels of Destiny
Destiny can be divided into several levels:
✔ Individual destiny: Personal compulsions, such as family or environmental influences.
✔ Collective destiny: Circumstances that affect society or a nation, such as famine, slavery, or currency systems.
✿ Allah’s Knowledge and Human Freedom
A common objection is: If Allah knows the past, present, and future, how is freedom possible for man? The answer lies in:
✔ Allah is beyond time: Allah’s existence is not bound by time; for Him, past, present, and future exist simultaneously.
✔ Knowledge does not compel: Allah’s knowledge does not force a person to act in a certain way. Man acts of his own free will, while Allah knows these actions beforehand.
✿ The Law of Cause and Effect
Our thinking relies on the principles of cause and effect. However, Allah’s essence is beyond these principles. Thus, the difference between our “today” and “tomorrow” has no significance in Allah’s view.
✿ Resolution of Logical Contradictions
It is not necessary for every divine matter to have a logical explanation, as human logic and worldly laws do not apply to Allah’s essence.
✿ Determining Freedom and Compulsion
To understand the question of human freedom and compulsion, it is essential to examine the areas where man is free and where he is compelled. If one claims that man is completely free, this equates to denying predestination. Conversely, if one claims that man is entirely compelled, it renders the concept of reward and punishment meaningless. Therefore, the moderate view is that man is neither completely free nor entirely compelled. This topic can be better understood by separately outlining human freedom and compulsion.
✿ Compulsions: Human Limitations
In some matters, man has no control, such as:
✔ Race and color: Man has no control over his race or color.
✔ Birth and death: When and where one is born, and when one will die, are beyond human control.
✔ Environmental and natural conditions: Many factors affecting man, such as climate or geography, are also beyond his control.
✿ Freedom: Voluntary Actions
In many matters, man enjoys freedom, for example:
✔ Eating, drinking, moving, running, and other intentional movements.
✔ These voluntary actions are either completely or partially within human control.
✿ The Concept of “Kisab” (Acquisition)
Kisab or acquisition refers to man’s efforts in performing his actions. However, the outcome of these efforts is not within his control. This very kisab becomes the criterion for reward and punishment:
✔ Result of goodness: Leads to reward.
✔ Result of evil: Leads to punishment.
✿ Lack of Control Over Outcomes
The outcome of man’s efforts is not always according to his will, for example:
✔ A person may not achieve the desired success despite having all the resources and putting in great effort.
✔ Sometimes, success comes without any effort.
✿ Four Levels of Outcomes
➊ Outcome according to one’s wish.
➋ Achieving the desired result after reasonable effort.
➌ Gaining success after intense effort.
➍ Failure despite all efforts and measures.
✿ Different Levels of Destiny
Destiny can be divided into several levels:
✔ Individual destiny: Personal compulsions, such as family or environmental influences.
✔ Collective destiny: Circumstances that affect society or a nation, such as famine, slavery, or currency systems.
✿ Allah’s Knowledge and Human Freedom
A common objection is: If Allah knows the past, present, and future, how is freedom possible for man? The answer lies in:
✔ Allah is beyond time: Allah’s existence is not bound by time; for Him, past, present, and future exist simultaneously.
✔ Knowledge does not compel: Allah’s knowledge does not force a person to act in a certain way. Man acts of his own free will, while Allah knows these actions beforehand.
✿ The Law of Cause and Effect
Our thinking relies on the principles of cause and effect. However, Allah’s essence is beyond these principles. Thus, the difference between our “today” and “tomorrow” has no significance in Allah’s view.
✿ Resolution of Logical Contradictions
It is not necessary for every divine matter to have a logical explanation, as human logic and worldly laws do not apply to Allah’s essence.
