Qadr: Predestination
The concept of predestination in the Quran centers on God’s absolute knowledge and human free will. While God’s omniscience ensures that everything is pre-recorded in His divine Record, humans possess the freedom to make choices that determine their ultimate destiny.
Human Free Will
The Quran emphasizes that humans are free to believe or disbelieve, a freedom integral to the test of life.
وَقُلِ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمۡۖ فَمَن شَآءَ فَلۡيُؤۡمِن وَمَن شَآءَ فَلۡيَكۡفُرۡۚ إِنَّآ أَعۡتَدۡنَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمۡ سُرَادِقُهَاۚ
Wa-quli al-ḥaqqu min rabbikum, fa-man shāʾa fa-l-yuʾmin wa-man shāʾa fa-l-yakfur. Innā aʿtadnā liẓ-ẓālimīna nāran aḥāṭa bihim surādiquhā.
Say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills shall believe and whoever wills shall disbelieve." We have prepared for the transgressors a Fire whose walls will surround them.
(18:29)
This freedom underscores the justice of God’s system, as individuals are held accountable for their choices.
The Trust and the Test
The Quran describes how humanity accepted a monumental responsibility that other creations refused, signifying the test of free will and accountability.
إِنَّا عَرَضۡنَا ٱلۡأَمَانَةَ عَلَى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱلۡجِبَالِ فَأَبَيۡنَ أَن يَحۡمِلۡنَهَا وَأَشۡفَقۡنَ مِنۡهَا وَحَمَلَهَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولٗا
Innā ʿaraḍnā al-amānata ʿala as-samāwāti wa-al-arḍi wa-al-jibāli fa-abayna an yaḥmilnahā wa-ashfaqna minhā wa-ḥamalaha al-insān. Innahu kāna ẓalūman jahūlan.
We have offered the Trust to the heavens, the earth and the mountains, but they refused to carry it and were afraid of it, while the human being accepted it. Indeed, he was transgressing, ignorant.
(33:72)
This "Trust" represents free will and the accountability that comes with it, showing humanity’s readiness to take on this divine test.
God’s Knowledge and Predestination
God’s omniscience encompasses everything—past, present, and future—including the choices each individual will make.
مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٖ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا فِيٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ إِلَّا فِي كِتَـٰبٖ مِّن قَبۡلِ أَن نَّبۡرَأَهَآۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٞ
Mā asāba min musībatin fī al-arḍi wa-lā fī anfusikum illā fī kitābin min qabli an nabraʾahā. Inna dhālika ʿalā Allāhi yasīr.
No disaster falls in the land or to yourselves that is not already in a Record before We bring it into existence. Indeed, that is easy for God.
(57:22)
God’s knowledge does not negate human free will; rather, it ensures His justice and mercy in holding individuals accountable for their choices.
The Role of Guidance
God provides guidance to those deserving of it, based on His infinite knowledge of their sincerity and willingness to seek the truth.
وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَآ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ رُشۡدَهُۥ مِن قَبۡلُ وَكُنَّا بِهِۦ عَٰلِمِينَ
Wa-laqad ātaynā Ibrāhīma rushdahu min qablu wa-kunnā bihi ʿālimīn.
And We granted Abraham his sound judgment previously, and We were aware of him.
(21:51)
This verse highlights that while guidance is a divine gift, it aligns with the individual’s sincerity and effort in seeking the truth.
Reconciling Free Will and Predestination
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God’s Omniscience: God knows the outcome of all events and the choices each soul will make.
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Human Freedom: Humans possess the free will to choose their path, and their decisions determine their eternal fate.
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Justice of the Test: Those who are guided earn their guidance through sincerity, while others deviate due to their own actions.
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وَقُلِ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمۡۖ فَمَن شَآءَ فَلۡيُؤۡمِن وَمَن شَآءَ فَلۡيَكۡفُرۡۚ
Wa-quli al-ḥaqqu min rabbikum, fa-man shāʾa fa-l-yuʾmin wa-man shāʾa fa-l-yakfur.
Say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills shall believe and whoever wills shall disbelieve."
(18:29)
Conclusion
The Quran strikes a perfect balance between free will and predestination:
God’s Omniscience ensures that everything is pre-recorded in His divine Record, demonstrating His infinite knowledge.
Human Free Will allows individuals to choose their path, determining their ultimate destiny.
Justice of the Test underscores that guidance is earned through sincerity, while deviance is a result of personal choices.
This harmonious interplay reflects the Quran’s emphasis on God’s justice, mercy, and wisdom, ensuring that humanity’s test is both fair and meaningful.