Answer
Salam Alaykum and thank you for your question.
The concept of free will and predestination has been one that has confused people of Abrahamic religions for quite some time!
However, Islam has clear determinations about predestination and free will. It is important to consider three separate concepts when examining free will and predestination.
We must acknowledge that Allah is in control of his creation, and that Allah is perfect and does not make mistakes.
Next, we must consider that The Holy Quran was revealed to Mohammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to serve as a guide to Earth’s creations.
Finally, we must know that Allah is just and fair.
Allah Is In Control
Allah says,
No soul will ever die unless it is Allah’s will. The length of each life is predetermined according to the Scriptures. Those who wish to receive their reward in this world will receive it, and those who wish to receive their reward in the world to come will also receive it. And We will undoubtedly reward those who serve Us with gratitude. (Qur’an 3:145)
The idea of qadr, or belief in divine decree, is required for all Muslims.
The first part of this verse states that Allah alone is in control of creation and the lives of the humans and the jinn.
The second part of the verse, however, points to the concept of free will, saying that those who wish to receive their reward in this world will receive it. And those who wish to receive their reward in the next will receive it.
This points to the idea that we can choose to either live a worldly life of sin or to focus on what will happen to us in the afterlife and choose our deeds accordingly.
Divine Guidance
Furthermore, many verses of the Quran present laws that creation must follow.
Verses relating to how to become virtuous and prevent sin are all proof of the concept of free will and that we are being tested in this world for our place in the Hereafter on the Day of Judgement.
Think: if a person was already predestined to commit sin, these verses would be pointless, because there would be no point in issuing commands to behave in a certain way if a person were incapable of choosing to follow or disobey them.
Furthermore, when the Quran praises those that do well and condemns the ones who do evil, this is also an indication that we are in charge of our own deeds and that we will be held accountable for them.
All of the verses which speak of the Day of Judgement and the rewards and punishment for deeds are further proof that we are free to do the deeds that we want. If every sin or good deed was predestined, again, there would be no need to discuss these in the Quran.
Free Will
The Quran has several verses that give an indication that we have free will over our actions.
Every soul will be (held) in pledge for its deeds. (Quran 74:38)
We showed him the Way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will). (Quran 76:3)
And those who strive in our (Cause), We will certainly guide them to Our paths: for verily God is with those who do right.” (Quran 29:69)
Looking at these verses, we could assume that the Quran and Sunnah act as a form of guidance for Earth’s creations, but that we are free to commit sin or perform good deeds accordingly.
Even if Allah knows what we are already going to do, we are still responsible for our choices.
If we have the guidance of the Quran and we choose to commit grave sins, such as worshipping other gods or abandoning the prayer, we will be held accountable for this.
As such, a person who has never heard of Islam or knew the Quran cannot be held to the same level of accountability. Allah guides whom he wills, but we are ultimately responsible for what we do with that guidance.
Allah is Just
Finally, we must consider that Allah is al-`Adl. This word comes from the root `a-d-l (ع-د-ل) which is the opposite of transgression, and thus means to act justly and fairly. This means, literally, that Allah is Just.
Knowing this helps His creation to understand His judgement and not to curse fate or qadr. We know that Allah is Most Merciful, Most Just. It can be hard to imagine for us the fairness and justice of Allah because he is so much greater than our understanding of these concepts.
For comparison’s sake, it is said that Allah is more merciful than a mother to her child. His love is so strong that a mother’s love pales in comparison.
Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported:
Some prisoners of war were brought in front of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and a woman was among them who was breast-feeding. Whenever she found a child among the prisoners, she would take it to her chest and nurse it. The Prophet said to us, “Do you think this woman could throw her child in the fire?” We said, “No, not if she is able to stop it.” The Prophet said, “Allah is more merciful to His servants than a mother is to her child.” (Sahih Bukhari 5653)
Finally, Allah says,
And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, ‘Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?’ And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does injustice to no one…” (Qur’an, 18:49)
And Allah knows best.
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