Man Is Directed and Given Choice in This World
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Q264: This is a question from a listener, M.A., from Iraq. He says: I hope you will inform us whether a person is compelled in this world or given a choice? For in the verse
The noble verse, Allah the Exalted says:[Al-Kahf 18:29], which indicates that man is given choice, and in the other noble verse: [At-Takwir 81:29], which indicates that man is directed, what is the meaning of the two verses? Is there a contradiction between them or not?
A264: Man is directed and given choice; both matters coexist in him. He is directed in terms of the prevalence of Allah’s decrees and His judgment upon him, and his submission to that in word and deed, and that he cannot escape from the judgment and decree of Allah that He has written for him. From this aspect, he is directed. As for his actions, movements, and conduct, he is given choice; because he does and leaves off deeds by his will, intention, and choice, so he is given choice. The servant has a will, but it is subordinate to the will of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), His judgment, and His decree. Therefore, he is rewarded for obedience and punished for the disobedience he commits by his choice and will. As for the person who has no choice or will, such as the one who is coerced, the one who forgets, or the one who is unable to perform obedience, he is not punished; because his will and choice are stripped from him, either by coercion, or by forgetfulness, or by inability, or by the loss of
intellect; such as the insane and the imbecile. He is not punished for his conduct; because he lacks choice and will. As for the two noble verses you referred to; His saying, the Exalted:[At-Takwir 81:29], and this supports what we mentioned, because Allah affirmed for the servant a will and a choice, and affirmed for Himself a will, and made the servant’s will subordinate to the will of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). So the noble verse indicated the affirmation of the will for the servant, the affirmation of the will for Allah, and that the servant’s will is subordinate to the will of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). As for His saying, the Exalted: [Al-Kahf 18:29], this does not mean giving choice, but its meaning is prohibition, threat, and reprimand. Because Allah the Exalted said at the beginning of the verse: [Al-Kahf 18:29], so this indicates threat and reprimand, and that if a person disobeys Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He),
and disbelieves in Allah, then Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) punishes him; because he committed disbelief by his choice, will, and desire, so he deserves the punishment of Allah and entering the Fire, as Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Kahf 18:29].
The noble verse, Allah the Exalted says:
so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve
فَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِنْ وَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْAnd you do not will except that Allah wills - Lord of the worlds.
وَمَا تَشَاءُونَ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَA264: Man is directed and given choice; both matters coexist in him. He is directed in terms of the prevalence of Allah’s decrees and His judgment upon him, and his submission to that in word and deed, and that he cannot escape from the judgment and decree of Allah that He has written for him. From this aspect, he is directed. As for his actions, movements, and conduct, he is given choice; because he does and leaves off deeds by his will, intention, and choice, so he is given choice. The servant has a will, but it is subordinate to the will of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), His judgment, and His decree. Therefore, he is rewarded for obedience and punished for the disobedience he commits by his choice and will. As for the person who has no choice or will, such as the one who is coerced, the one who forgets, or the one who is unable to perform obedience, he is not punished; because his will and choice are stripped from him, either by coercion, or by forgetfulness, or by inability, or by the loss of
intellect; such as the insane and the imbecile. He is not punished for his conduct; because he lacks choice and will. As for the two noble verses you referred to; His saying, the Exalted:
And you do not will except that Allah wills - Lord of the worlds.
وَمَا تَشَاءُونَ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَso whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve
فَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِنْ وَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْAnd 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
وَقُلِ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ فَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِنْ وَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمْ سُرَادِقُهَاand disbelieves in Allah, then Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) punishes him; because he committed disbelief by his choice, will, and desire, so he deserves the punishment of Allah and entering the Fire, as Allah the Exalted said:
Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them
إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمْ سُرَادِقُهَا
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.