The Reality of Predestination, Human Free Will, and the Test of Life
Source: Fatawa Rashidiyyah, p.167
❖ The Question of Predestination and Its Explanation
Question:
What is Taqdeer (predestination)? And the good or evil deeds that a human performs, are they all under the Divine Will?
Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
By Allah! Had this question not been raised by an atheist or an enemy of Islam, I would not have burdened myself to write on it, for unnecessary delving into such a delicate matter as Taqdeer is harmful for a believer. However, since it is part of the schemes of the atheists to misguide people through this issue, I pray that Allah grants me the ability to write the truth and guides me in every word I write. Allāhumma Āmīn.
❖ The World as an Example and Allah’s Scheme
When a human being plans something—be it establishing a settlement, running a factory, or any other project—he first forms its design in his mind:
① Arrangement of essential elements
② Preparation of requirements
③ Drafting of the plan on paper
Only then does he put it into action. With this example in mind, we may understand the concept of Taqdeer.
❖ Fundamental Points
(a) The Universe Created for Human Beings
The Qur’an says:
﴿هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ لَكُم مَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ جَمِيعًا﴾ (البقرۃ: ۲۹)
﴿وَسَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ جَمِيعًا مِّنْهُ﴾ (الجاثیہ: ۱۳)
That is, the sun, moon, stars, rivers, and mountains are in service to mankind. If humans did not exist, these entities would not be affected; but if the sun or water were withheld for even a short while, humanity would perish. Thus, the universe exists for man, not man for any creation.
(b) The Purpose of Human Life
The Qur’an declares:
﴿وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ﴾ (الذاریات:۵۶)
The true purpose of mankind is to worship Allah. Just as the universe is subject to man, man must be subject to Allah. Hence, Allah sent Prophets and Revelation to guide man on how to live in accordance with His Will.
(c) The World as a Test Ground
The Qur’an states:
﴿إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا﴾ (الکہف: ۷)
﴿ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا﴾ (الملک:۲)
This world is thus an examination hall, where man is tested as to how he fulfills his purpose.
(d) The Paths of Good and Evil
The Qur’an tells us:
﴿وَهَدَيْنَـٰهُ ٱلنَّجْدَيْنِ﴾ (البلد:۱۰)
﴿فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَ‌هَا وَتَقْوَىٰهَا﴾ (الشمس:۸)
Both paths are shown to man. Since he has been granted free will, he may choose good or evil. If he had no choice, he would be like a lifeless stone, and reward or punishment would be meaningless.
❖ The Wisdom Behind Granting Human Free Will
(e) Necessity of Choice and Trial
Why was man granted free will and placed in trial?
The reality is known only to Allah, but to our limited understanding:
✔ Man was created with diverse faculties.
✔ Through his free will, the attributes of Allah—such as Justice, Mercy, Forgiveness, and Forbearance—are manifested.
✔ Angels, being compelled beings, cannot err or sin; thus, attributes like Forgiveness and Justice cannot be manifested upon them.
﴿أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ﴾ (البقرة:٣٠)
Human beings, with their faculties, advanced in knowledge and discovery, unlocking the secrets of the universe. Without needs and abilities, the treasures of this world would remain hidden.
(f) Manifestations of Good and Evil
Since man has choice, various examples must appear in the world:
① Some rise to noble character.
② Some fall to disgrace.
③ Some choose good, others evil.
Without the possibility of evil, the purpose of trial would be void.
(g) Man’s Pure Nature (
Allah created man upon the pure nature of Islam:
﴿فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا ۚ فِطْرَ‌تَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا﴾ (الروم:٣٠)
((كل مولود يولد على الفطرة)) (بخاری)
﴿لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ فِىٓ أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ﴾ (التین:٤)
Every child is born upon Islam’s fitrah, but society and environment corrupt it.
(h) Diversity of Abilities
Allah placed differences among mankind: some strong, some weak; some wealthy, others poor; some scholars, others common. This diversity itself is a beauty of the world.
﴿وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَـٰٓئِفَ ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ وَرَ‌فَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَ‌جَـٰتٍ لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِى مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ﴾ (الانعام:١٦٥)
If all were equal, there would be no trial, no test of patience or gratitude.
(i) Why Division Between Good and Evil?
Though nature is one, division arises from:
✔ Environment and society
✔ Bad company
✔ Misuse of desires or power
✔ Poverty or hunger
The true excellence lies in pleasing Allah despite worldly demands.
❖ Allah’s Knowledge and Predestination
(j) Allah’s Perfect Knowledge
Unlike human planners who only learn faults after trial, Allah’s Knowledge is complete:
✔ He knows in advance what faults will arise.
✔ He knows the causes of good and evil before they occur.
(k) Plans and Outcomes
Human schemes often fail. Allah’s planning never fails, for His Knowledge is infinite.
❖ The Real Meaning of Predestination (
① Taqdeer means estimate or knowledge.
② Allah willed from eternity to create the universe.
③ The Divine plan included:
- Man will be granted intellect and choice.
- Both good and evil paths will be shown.
- He will choose freely.
- Consequences will necessarily follow, as poison leads to death and nourishing food to strength.
﴿فَسَنُيَسِّرُ‌هُۥ لِلْيُسْرَ‌ىٰ ﴿٧﴾ فَسَنُيَسِّرُ‌هُۥ لِلْعُسْرَ‌ىٰ ﴿١٠﴾ (اللیل:۷،۱۰)
Whoever chooses good will find its means facilitated; whoever chooses evil will find its ways open.
❖ Human Free Will and Divine Knowledge
Allah gave man free will to test him:
✔ If he wills, he does good; if he wills, evil.
✔ This system preserves both freedom and the reality of trial.
Example 1:
A father knows his son is obedient, yet tests him to leave no excuse.
Example 2:
A doctor predicts death from symptoms; the patient dies—did the doctor kill him? No, he only knew. Similarly, Allah’s foreknowledge does not mean compulsion.
❖ The Preserved Record
Allah recorded all in a Book, called in the Qur’an Imam Mubeen and Kitaab Mubeen.
✔ Taqdeer is Allah’s Knowledge and Estimate.
✔ It contains no flaw, rather it manifests the perfection of His Knowledge.
✔ What is written is not compulsion; it is simply foreknowledge of man’s free choices.
❖ Responses to Objections
Objection 1: Why did Allah create causes that lead to division in good and evil?
Answer: Without both paths, man would be compelled, like a machine, and trial meaningless.
Objection 2: Atheists raise doubts on Taqdeer.
Answer: Discussion is futile with those who deny Allah’s very existence. They must first be shown proofs of Allah’s existence; only then can His attributes, such as Taqdeer, be discussed.
Objection 3: If asked by an ignorant Muslim?
Answer: He should be gently taught:
✔ Taqdeer is simply Allah’s Knowledge and Estimate.
✔ To deny it implies (na‘ūdhubillāh) that Allah is ignorant of His creation.
✔ Even a human inventor knows the benefits and flaws of his creation—how then could the Creator of the universe be unaware?
❖ Conclusion
✿ Taqdeer is Allah’s infinite Knowledge.
✿ Man has been given free will so that he may be tested.
✿ Both good and evil paths are before him.
✿ Allah knows in advance which path each person will choose, but this is Knowledge—not compulsion.
This explanation is lengthy, yet without detail, the matter would remain unclear.
If this is correct, it is by Allah’s guidance; if there is error, it is due to my weakness and ignorance.
Hādhā mā ʿindī wa-Allāhu aʿlam biṣ-ṣawāb.
