Do We Possess Any Free Will at All?
Waseema H Qureshi
Life is like walking on a double-edged knife, whereby the jagged notches of destiny don’t let humans take over. Destiny prevails… Yes, God’s Will ought to prevail over, because God cannot let creation melt away in the fires of human erring! Were man’s will let loose, certainly, all the celestial bodies would have disarrayed within no time, as the Quran reminds: “And should the truth follow their low desires, surely the heavens and the earth and all those who are therein would have perished…” 23:71
The Universe has been organised with the building blocks of exquisitely meticulous mathematical equations and ultra-sophisticated calculations. Considering the minutely detailed, multi-dimensional numerical web that weaves the fabric of creation, Allah’s perfectly unambiguous predictions about creation from beginning to end are not a product of any miracle but knowledge. The prophesied destiny of our solar system, and events on earth, as foreseen in the scriptures, is purely a depiction of Allah’s knowledgeable authority.
Allah has given us the potential to make choices about our personal conduct and nothing more than that. Destiny rules! There’s absolutely no room allowed for external interference in the strict discipline of the established law and order. No creature whatsoever has the permission to object to or intrude into the matters of Allah’s willed systems. Allah is the sole and ultimate authority in the management of creations.
The fact that little choice-making allowed us cannot command the destined fate to change or alter is well described in the following verses from the Quran. For instance, about Moses, God said, “I have chosen you for my service.” 20:41. Regarding Jesus, the angels told Maryam, “God has chosen you, purified you, and given you distinction over all women.” 3:42. And about Prophet Ibrahim: 1:130 says: “We had chosen him in this world, and indeed he, in the Hereafter, will be among the righteous.”
We find that even the actions of the prophets, despite being chosen and purified, were constantly scrutinised at every step of their lives. For instance, in 20:46, Moses is encouraged by saying, “Do not be afraid; I am with you all the time, listening and seeing."
The above examples indicate that men and women are born with predetermined destinies and monitored for their actions within the ordained duties meant to push Allah’s wilful agenda. Even within the limited operation of human will, our hands are firmly tied from altering God’s dictates about the disciplines of life.
For example, in 69:44-47 the Quran reveals: “Had Mohammad invented against Us any saying, we would have seized him by the right hand, and then severed his life-artery.” In 17:74, the Book addresses Prophet Mohammad saying, “And if We had not strengthened you, you would have almost inclined to them a little. In that case, We would certainly have made you taste a double (punishment) in this life and a double (punishment) after death, then you would not have found any helper against Us.”
The strict, explicit directives and intense monitoring of human life hardly leave any room for the exercise of free human will. Everything is subject to a predetermined destiny, and the inflexibility of the prescribed plans makes life a trial. The organisation we are part of is structured with such measured order of precision that the slightest deviation can trigger serious repercussions, explained as reward and punishment for our conduct. It is ridiculous to think that our actions can influence God’s decrees. Verses 35:8 quote, “…For indeed, Allah sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills…”
The level of control over human destiny is explained in the Quran 5:13, saying that Allah hardens human hearts so they stop being influenced (by virtue). In another example, 8:63 notes that no amount of wealth can generate love in our hearts except when God wills. Verses 20:39, mention how Moses’ destiny was fulfilled with watchful heavenly guidance: “Throw him into the chest, and cast it into the river, then the river shall throw it onto the bank, and there an enemy to Me, and an enemy to him, shall take him. And I endued thee with love from Me that you should be trained according to My will…” Note that not only was the Pharaoh’s heart made soft, but also the waters were under command, to throw the chest at an exact spot, to become noticed and picked up.
Indeed, the organisation of the universe cannot be sustained without the strict discipline in place. For this reason, selection was imperative for the next eternal phase of life in the Hereafter. For example, a position of virtue or prophethood was never bestowed upon anyone without prior tests and tribulations. Such as about Moses, 20:40 describes, “...And you killed someone, but We saved you from retaliation and tried you with a (severe) trial. And you remained (some) years among the people of Madyan. Then you came (here) at the decreed time as ordained, O Moses.” We must be tested for suitability for eternal life.
The minuscule will to act on discretion is a trial for us to show compliance with a system that has no room for deviations. The short-range will we can exercise is an instrument to pave our way to eternal life in the Hereafter. It is Allah’s sheer benevolence toward human beings. Otherwise, everything is subject to a predestined, amazingly detailed, and inflexible plan from which there indeed is no escape.
“...For every matter there’s a decree from Allah. Allah eliminates what He wills or confirms, and with Him is the Mother of the Book.” 13:38-39. “And We have made every man’s actions to cling to his neck, and We will bring forth to him on the resurrection day a book which he will find wide open: Read your book; your own self is sufficient as a reckoner against you this day.” (17:13-14)
The trials of this life indicate Allah’s mercy upon us, not punishment. The system God sustains runs based on total compliance by the subjects of life in it. Compliance is the inflexible rule of law that supports and maintains the works of nature we witness all around us.
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