The question of predestination (Qadar) and free will is one of the deepest theological questions in Islam. Many people struggle with it because they imagine a conflict: If Allah has decreed everything, how can humans be responsible? Islam teaches that both are true at the same time, without contradiction, because Allah’s knowledge and power are not comparable to human limitations.
Islam does not deny free will, nor does it place humans outside Allah’s decree. Instead, it teaches a balanced understanding: Allah has complete knowledge and control, while humans make real choices and are accountable for them. Confusion arises when divine knowledge is treated as coercion, or when human choice is imagined as independent of Allah.
How to Understand Predestination vs. Free Will in Islam?
1. Allah’s Knowledge Encompasses Everything
Allah says:
إِنَّا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْنَاهُ بِقَدَرٍ
“Indeed, We have created everything according to a decree.”
[Qur’an 54:49]
Allah knows everything that will happen, how it will happen, and why it will happen — before it happens. This knowledge is complete and eternal.
2. Knowledge Does Not Mean Compulsion
Knowing something will happen does not mean forcing it to happen. Allah’s foreknowledge does not remove human choice. A teacher may know a student will fail due to lack of effort, but the teacher did not force the failure. Allah’s knowledge is perfect, but human action still comes from human choice.
3. Humans Are Given Real Choice and Responsibility
Allah says:
مَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِنْ وَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ
“Whoever wills — let him believe; and whoever wills — let him disbelieve.”
[Qur’an 18:29]
This verse affirms free will clearly. Choice is real, which is why accountability exists.
4. Guidance and Misguidance Follow Human Inclination
Allah says:
فَلَمَّا زَاغُوا أَزَاغَ اللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ
“So when they deviated, Allah caused their hearts to deviate.”
[Qur’an 61:5]
First comes the human decision to turn away. Then Allah allows the heart to follow the path it chose. Divine decree follows human inclination, not the other way around.
5. Allah Creates the Ability, Humans Use It
Allah creates:
• Life
• Ability
• Opportunity
• Circumstances
Humans decide how to act within what Allah created.
Allah says:
وَهَدَيْنَاهُ النَّجْدَيْنِ
“And We showed him the two paths.”
[Qur’an 90:10]
Being shown the paths means choice exists, but the existence of paths is from Allah.
6. Decree Includes Means, Not Just Outcomes
Qadar does not mean outcomes happen without causes. Allah decreed causes and effects together.
• Success comes through effort
• Failure comes through neglect
• Healing comes through treatment
• Reward comes through obedience
The Prophet ﷺ said:
اعْمَلُوا فَكُلٌّ مُيَسَّرٌ لِمَا خُلِقَ لَهُ
“Act, for everyone is facilitated for what he was created for.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 4949 | Sahih Muslim 2647]
Action is commanded precisely because it matters.
7. Decree Is Not an Excuse for Sin
Islam rejects using Qadar as justification for wrongdoing.
Allah condemns those who said:
لَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مَا أَشْرَكْنَا
“If Allah had willed, we would not have committed shirk.”
[Qur’an 6:148]
Allah rejects this argument, proving that choice and responsibility are real.
8. Duʿā and Effort Are Part of the Decree
Making duʿā does not “change” Allah’s knowledge — it is already included in the decree.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
لَا يَرُدُّ الْقَدَرَ إِلَّا الدُّعَاءُ
“Nothing repels decree except duʿā.”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2139 | Hasan]
Meaning: Allah decreed that duʿā would be the means by which outcomes occur.
9. Decree Explains Outcomes, Not Choices
Qadar explains why something happened after it happens.
It is not meant to paralyze action before choices are made.
When hardship strikes, you say: Qadar.
When deciding how to act, you say: Responsibility.
10. Humans Are Judged by What They Control
Allah says:
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا
“Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity.”
[Qur’an 2:286]
You are not judged for:
• Your birthplace
• Your trials
• Your involuntary thoughts
You are judged for:
• Your intentions
• Your choices
• Your actions
11. The Balance Taught by Ahl al-Sunnah
Islam rejects two extremes:
• Saying humans have no choice (fatalism)
• Saying humans act independently of Allah (absolute free will)
The correct position is balance:
Allah decrees.
Humans choose.
Both are true.
12. Trusting Qadar Brings Peace, Not Passivity
Belief in Qadar teaches:
• Acceptance after loss
• Humility after success
• Patience during hardship
• Gratitude during ease
It calms the heart after effort, not instead of effort.
Predestination and free will in Islam are not opposites.
They work together.
Allah decrees with perfect knowledge and wisdom.
Humans choose with real responsibility and accountability.
You are not forced into sin.
You are not abandoned in hardship.
You are not unaware of right and wrong.
Do what Allah commanded.
Avoid what He prohibited.
Trust Him with the outcome.
That balance — action with trust — is the Islamic understanding of Qadar and free will.
