What is the wisdom behind partial free will and the mystery of qadar (predestination)?

Dear Brother / Sister,

In the Islamic faith, qadar (predestination) and partial free will are two complementary, fundamental spiritual and moral truths that define man’s place in the universe, the purpose of creation, and moral responsibility.

This profound truth both prevents man from falling into arrogance and makes it impossible for him to evade responsibility.

1. Key References from the Holy Quran

While the Holy Quran states that man possesses partial free will, is free to make his own choice, and will be rewarded for his efforts, it also clearly declares that nothing exists independently of Allah’s absolute will:

1. Man’s Responsibility for Choices:

“Say, ‘The truth is from your Lord: Let him who will believe, and let him who will, reject (it)’.” (al-Kahf, 18/29)

The verse above shows that man is capable of making choices of his own free will and are directly responsible for the consequences of those choices.

2. Allah’s will and human free will:

“But ye shall not will except as Allah wills,- the Cherisher of the Worlds.” (at-Takwir, 81/29)

Man has a sphere of choice (partial free will); however, this will is not independent of Allah’s absolute will and all-encompassing power, nor is it an autonomous force that exists in defiance of Him. Although it is man who wills, it is Allah who creates.

3. Man’s effort and its reward:

“That man can have nothing but what he strives for.” (an-Najm, 53/39)

The verse above shows how vital man’s efforts, the way he exercises his partial free will, and the extent of his responsibility are.

2. The wisdom behind partial free will and qadar

Qadar and partial free will are not merely subjects of theoretical debate; they are conscientious criteria that guide the believer in disciplining his soul. The wisdom behind the balance between partial free will and qadar is explained through two main purposes and goals:

a) Partial free will prevents people from shirking responsibility

Man cannot shift the blame for the sins or mistakes he commits onto Allah or qadar by saying, “What can I do? This is my fate!” A person personally desires and chooses something.

Since bad deeds are destructive in nature, like setting a whole house ablaze with a single match, a small, deliberate choice can lead to great destruction. The fact that some materials rot when exposed to sunlight is not due to the sun, but to the nature of the material itself. Therefore, the true perpetrator and one responsible for evil is the person who demands it.

b) Qadar prevents man from falling into pride and arrogance

A person cannot take pride in the good deeds, acts of worship, and charity he has accomplished by saying, “I did this; it was thanks to my intelligence and strength.”

It is Allah who grants the means, abilities, and power that enables those good deeds to come into existence (Divine Mercy and the Power of the Lord). A person’s share in those good deeds is extremely small; he merely becomes the recipient and possessor of that beauty through prayer, intention, acceptance, and awareness. When he does a good deed, destiny confronts him and says, “Know your place—it was not you who did it!” (See Nursi, Sözler, DİB Yayınları, 26. Söz)

To sum up: Man chooses and Allah creates.

When man does a good deed, he looks to Qadar so as not to fall into arrogance, saying, “It is by Allah’s grace.” When he does a bad deed, he looks to Partial Free Will to avoid making excuses and shirking responsibility, saying, “It is because of my own soul”, and he repents.

The ultimate wisdom behind qadar and partial free will is not to absolve humans of responsibility, but to protect them from both pride and evading responsibility, thereby guiding them to the true station of servitude.

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