Q: What is the Quranic view on human free will?
A: The Quran presents a nuanced view of human free will (ikhtiyar), emphasizing that humans have the capacity to choose between belief and disbelief, good and evil, while operating within the framework of Allah’s overarching sovereignty and divine decree (qadr). This balance avoids absolute determinism or complete autonomy, highlighting personal responsibility and accountability on the Day of Judgment.
Q: What does Verse 16:93 (Surah An-Nahl) say about free will?
A: The verse states: “Had Allah so willed, He would have made you all one single community. However, He lets go astray whomsoever He wills and shows the Right Way to whomsoever He wills. Surely you shall be called to account regarding what you did.”
According to Tafheem-ul-Quran, this means that if Allah had willed, He could have deprived mankind of the freedom of choice and created all as inherent believers. However, Allah Himself has given man the power and freedom to follow any path. Allah makes arrangements for the guidance of those who intend to follow the right way, and lets go astray those who desire to deviate.
Q: What does Verse 18:29 (Surah Al-Kahf) teach us about belief and disbelief?
A: The verse declares: “And say, ‘The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills – let him believe; and whoever wills – let him disbelieve.’ Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them…”
The tafsir explains that this makes it plain that people are free to accept or reject the message as they like, and then be ready to take the consequences of their attitude and way of life. There is no question of compelling them to believe.
Q: Does Islam allow compulsion in religion according to the Quran?
A: No. Verse 2:256 (Surah Al-Baqarah) clearly states: “There is no compulsion in religion. The Right Way stands clearly distinguished from the wrong…”
The explanation emphasizes that the system of Islam, embracing belief, morals and practical conduct cannot be imposed by compulsion. These are things which people themselves must accept willfully after their reason has acknowledged them. If a person does not accept them from the heart, it is impossible to change him by outward compulsion.
Q: What does Verse 76:3 (Surah Al-Insan) reveal about human guidance?
A: The verse states: “Surely We showed him the Right Path, regardless of whether he chooses to be thankful or unthankful (to his Lord).”
According to the tafsir, Allah did not just leave man to himself after giving him powers of knowledge and reason, but also guided him so that he knows which is the path of gratefulness and which of ungratefulness. Whichever path he chooses in his later life, he himself is responsible for it.
Q: What forms of guidance has Allah provided to humanity?
A: According to the detailed explanation of Verse 76:3, Allah has provided limitless forms of guidance including:
- A moral sense to discern between good and evil
- The faculty of conscience that checks and pricks when committing evil
- Signs in the universe and within man pointing to the existence of God
- Experiences and observations showing a supreme power ruling over everything
- Intellect and nature asserting that crime should be punished and good deeds rewarded
- Messengers and revealed Books providing clear guidance
Q: What do Verses 91:7-10 (Surah Ash-Shams) say about the human soul?
A: These verses state: “And by the soul and by Him Who perfectly proportioned it, and imbued it with (the consciousness of) its evil and its piety: He who purifies it will prosper, and he who suppresses it will be ruined.”
The tafsir explains that Allah has proportioned man with a sound nature, not as a sinner by birth. He has endowed every man’s unconscious mind with the concept that there is moral good and moral evil, and blessed him with the ability to distinguish between good and evil naturally. Success comes to those who purify their souls toward good, while failure comes to those who suppress goodness and allow evil to dominate.
Q: What is the “Trust” mentioned in Verse 33:72 (Surah Al-Ahzab)?
A: The verse states: “Indeed, We offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to bear it, being afraid thereof; but man [undertook to] bear it. Indeed, he was unjust [to himself] and ignorant [of its results].”
According to the explanation, the “trust” refers to the vicegerency of the earth, which Allah offered to the heavens, earth and mountains, but they declined out of fear. Man accepted it. This trust includes free will, responsibility, and accountability for actions.
Q: What is the balance between divine will and human free will in Islam?
A: The Quran presents a balanced view where Allah has ultimate sovereignty and could have created all humans as believers without choice, but He deliberately gave humans free will and the capacity to choose. Humans operate within Allah’s framework but are personally responsible for their choices and will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment. This avoids both absolute determinism (everything is predetermined) and complete human autonomy (humans act independently of God).
Messages from Quran 