Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Islamic View of Omniscience and Human Freedom
Islamic View of Omniscience and Human Freedom
Al-Hikmat
Volume 26 (2006), pp. 11-47
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
His slave, and hath not placed therein any crookedness. (alQurn, 18:01) also, Allah has revealed the fairest of statements,
]
a Scripture consistent [Ahsan-al-Hadith Kitb
, (Qurn, 39:23); (It is) the Qurn in Arabic, containing no
crookedness [i.e., inconsistency] . (Al-Qurn, 39:28) Similarly
the phrase early Muslims, as used above, is quite vague. The
Qurn classifies the early Muslims into three categories: those on
the right hand (Asb-ul-Yameen); those on the left hand (Asbush-Shiml); and the foremost in the race (as-Sbiqn-alAwwaln
). (al-Qurn, cf. 56:7-10, 09:100) There
are three possible behaviours in all times: Those who are
righteousness-oriented. They are on the right hand. Then are those
who follow their desires. People on the left hand are desireoriented. Then come those who love the Shhid ( the
Prophet). First and foremost in the race and those who
sincerely followed them (cf. 09:100)28 are Shhid-oriented. The
foremost in the race are those for whom there is perfectly good
sense in referring to them as an authority. There is absolutely no
sense in using the term early Muslims undifferentiatedly.29 The
foremost in the race very clearly knew what these three
categories of men are going to get would be only as reward of
what they would do. (Al-Qurn, cf. 56:24, also cf. Chapter 56)
The early Muslim could never believe in any statement of the
type not a leaf could move without Allahs decree or even a
particle does not move without Allahs decree (L tataharraku
).30 Any such
zarratun ill bi-idhni Llah
statement is absolutely contrary to the Qurnic teachings. It
destroys all distinction between the righteous and the evil actions.
The Qurnic teaching in this regard is that even a leaf would not
fall, but He (Allah) knows it. (Al-Qurn, 6:59) There is essential
difference between the two statements. As to what were the
original teachings of Islam in this regard, they will be made clear
as we proceed.31 However, it can be said at this juncture that
predestinarianism had never been the teachings of Islam. There
was never any confusion in the companions of the Prophet who
have been called the foremost in the race and those who
followed them with sincerity. These companions of the Prophet
(pbuh) believed in freedom of will and mans accountability
P
19
20
21
all one for them; they believe not (02:06), and the verse, It is not
for any soul to believe save by the permission of Allah .
(10:100) are concerned, it is beyond ones ability to understand
how these affirm absolute predestination. One who denies the
truth (al-Haqq) and chooses to side with untruth (btil) becomes
firm in disbelief. And one who persists in opposing the bearer of
truth does not come to the Faith whether you warn him, or you
warn him not. Similarly, one who worships his desires goes
astray. (cf. 45:23) One who hears only what appeals to his
desires, one whose observation obeys his desires, is unable to see
the truth. One, who spends what God has given him entirely for
the satisfaction of his desires, worships his desires. He is a person
who does not see purposefulness in life. Such a person is least
bothered about knowing what is the best model to spend a
purposeful life? He does not follow the Prophet. Allah does not
Please to permit such a person to come to believe. Allah sets a
seal on their hearts and on their hearing and a cover on their eyes.
(al-Qurn, cf. 02:07) Allah only permits those to come to believe
who have firm faith in the purposefulness of life, who use their
reason and choose the Prophet as a role model and obey him
(pbuh) (laqad kana lakum fi rasoolillah uswatun hasana;
cf. 33:21). As far as the traditions are
concerned, the fundamental and final touchstone of declaring any
trad tiion a say in g of the Prop het of Islam, is the Qu rn. No
saying of the Prophet (pbuh) can ever contradict or be
inconsistent, even to the slightest degree, to the articles of Faith
enunciated in the Qurn.41
The question then is how did the controversy regarding the
freedom and determinism could arise in Islam? The conscious
emergence of the controversy with all the desperate implications
was officially occasioned during the Ummayyed rule (661-750) in
Islam and it clearly was based on their political interests.42 On the
brutal murder of Hazrat Hussein (61/680) and other members of
his family, Umayyads had to face the curse and condemnation
from all over the Muslim world. They were in dire need of some
sort of a doctrine that could work as defence for them. None
could initiate and promote this controversy if it did not suit them.
22
23
24
25
26
27
things. He is the First and the Last, and the Outward and
the Inward; and He is the Knower of all things. (57:2-3)
Lo! Allah! With Him is knowledge of the Hour. He
sendeth down the rain, and knoweth that which is in the
wombs. No soul knoweth what it will earn tomorrow,
and no soul knoweth in what land it will die. Lo! Allah is
Knower [Alm], Aware [Khabr]. (31:34)
And with Him are the keys of the invisible. None but He
knoweth them. And He knoweth what is in the land and
the sea. Not a leaf falleth but He knoweth it, not a grain
amid the darkness of the earth, not of wet or dry, but (it
is noted) in a clear Record. (6:59)
2.
3.
No one will enter the Garden until Allah has not known
him whether he strives hard and whether he is a steadfast
believer: cf. 3:141; Allah is Knower (Alm) and Aware
(Baseer).
Sometimes what befalls upon the believers is that He
might know the believers, and that He may know the
hypocrites; cf. 3:165-166.
Allah knows him who makes mischief from him who
sets aright: cf. 2:220.
Conclusions
(1) From the verses of section 1 and especially from the verse:
And there falls not a leaf but He knows it . (6:59), it is
clear that Allahs Knowledge encompasses everything.
Nothing, however insignificant or small, escapes His
Knowledge.
(2) So far as free human action is concerned, it is clear from the
verses of section 2 that there are always two courses open to
man: a right course (i.e., the way of the righteous), and a
wrong course (the way of the evil-doers). It is the privilege of
28
29
30
31
32
based on a false concept of the Preserved Tablet (al-lawh almahfz). This concept is false because it is contrary to the
Qurnic concept of such a Book, as well as it contradicts basic
components of Islamic Faith. The Preserved Tablet as given in the
Qurn is a Book with the Lord which contains (i) the knowledge
of former generations with reference to their destiny, (ii) the
knowledge of what is in the heavens and the earth, and (iii)
Mother of the Book (Umm al-Kitb, i.e. Divine Laws regulating
human destiny), is neither inconsistent with the view of the
freedom of will for man nor with any other component of Islamic
Faith. The Book which contains the knowledge of only former
generations must not contain the knowledge of the generations
yet-to-come. Thus, the Qurn does not certify that the Preserved
Tablet contains the knowledge of the generations yet-to-come
with reference to their destiny (i.e., which of them would be
condemned or blessed),71 and it is against the basic teachings of
Islamic Faith that it should contain such knowledge. So this Book
could never contain the condemnation of Ab Lahab or the
knowledge of any sin on his part prior to Ab Lahabs being born
and having committed it. From what is mentioned above it is
inferred that this Book could not contain any of the three kinds of
knowledge, mentioned above, from eternity (from the creation of
the Universe or prior to it). There is no concept in the Qurn of
anything pre-existent and co-eternal with God may it be
Preserved Tablet or anything else for that matter. It is to be
admitted then that such a Book was brought into being
simultaneously with the world.
Mother of the Book (Umm al-Kitb), which is the foundation
of the Qurn, refers to the Divine Laws which Allah in His
Omniscience and Absolute Wisdom prescribed for man prior to
the revelation of the Books, from the time best known to Allah
Almighty; and according to which He decides the destiny of a
person or a people.72 Preserved Tablet could never contain the
condemnation of Ab Lahab or the knowledge of any sin on his
part prior to Ab Lahabs being born and having committed it.
Thus, Ab Lahabs condemnation was not determined in
Gods Knowledge prior to Ab Lahab and his wifes being born
33
34
Gods
Gods
35
God thus postulated brings about all things which exist (or
permits them to exist) and in so doing knows what He brings
about and knows what that will lead to, so long as He has brought
about things which physically necessitate certain effects. Yet to
maintain His freedom, He limits His knowledge of His own
future choice.82
*******
We
have
seen
that
Muslim
and
Christian
theologians/philosophers formulation of the problem does not
essentially differ from each other. Their understanding of Divine
Omniscience also does not essentially differ from each other.
Traditional approaches in Muslim as well as Christian theologians
have been almost the same. Analysis of the solutions offered by
the Muslims shows that as opposed to the predestinarians who
believed that Gods Knowledge is eternal and as such
incompatible with human freedom, libertarians held that though
Gods Knowledge is eternal (or in the past of man) and though
God knows everything (including human actions yet to happen) it
is not incompatible with human freedom. Libertarians instead of
denying Allahs foreknowledge of human action, try to prove that
Divine Knowledge does not, in any way, function so as to
determine its object. Denial of causative or determining function
for Divine Knowledge, in one way or the other, is the most
common feature of traditional solutions offered by the
libertarians. This is not a right approach towards the solution.
These are mostly mere verbal quibbling. Divine Knowledge even
if not causative still does not vouchsafe human free action. It is
quite intelligible that it is not knowledge of anything that causes
or determines a thing. Foreknowledge always presupposes certain
principles or factors or causes that tend to physically necessitate
an action or event yet to happen, say for example an eclipse. Its
prediction is possible with great precision only because there are
certain laws of nature that physically determine its happening. If
God knows that certain principles or factors are going to
necessitate a future free human action, that action is necessarily
determined though not because of Gods Knowledge. Similarly, if
God decides about something to happen in future, He foreknows
36
37
38
above, befit Him. He is Al-Samad: All beseech Him; He is AlGhani: He transcends need, want, compulsion, longing, yearning,
aspiration or any inner compulsion and created the universe
absolutely out of His Free Will.88 He is the Absolute Originator
(Al-Badi) of everything. Even the determinants i.e., abstract
ideas, forms or archetypes of His Knowledge on whose pattern
He created the universe were brought into being by Him. Allah is
the Beginner of His creation (Al-Mubdi). He is prior to any
beginning, He is Al-Awwal (the First). Every beginning with it
has its termination. Allah is there after the termination of
anything, He is Al-khir (the Last). Allah is the Restorer of His
creation (Al-Mud) after its termination. He is the External; the
Manifest (Al-Zahir), none is more manifest than Allah is by his
portents. He is the Internal, the Hidden (Al-Btin); none is more
hidden than Allah is as the Determiner of the purpose of created
beings.89 Allah is Al-Whid, i.e. the Alone, the Unique. None is to
be worshiped except Him Alone.
REFERENCES
1
39
Harry Austryn Wolfson was the first and full time scholar of Judaica to
the faculty completely devoted to Jewish Studies established in Harvard
University America. He was the first Nathan Littauer Professor of
Hebrew Literature and Philosophy, a wide read scholar, a prolific and
creative writer in the history of philosophy. He retired from this post in
1958. Professor Wolfsons trail-blazing study of Jewish thinkers from
Philo of Alexandria to Benedict Spinoza, and his systematic integration
of the study of Jewish, Islamic, and Christian philosophy, attracted wide
international attention. His many well-known and celebrated volumes are
as follows: Wolfson, H. A. (a) (1929) Crescas Critique of Aristotle:
Problems of Aristotles Physics in Jewish and Arabic Philosophy; (b)
(1934) The Philosophy of Spinoza: Unfolding the Latent Processes of His
Reasoning. 2 volumes; (c) (1947) Philo: Foundations of Religious
Philosophy in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. 2 volumes; (d) (1956)
The Philosophy of Church Fathers: Faith, Trinity, Incarnation; (e) (1976)
The Philosophy of the Kalam; and (f) (1979) Kalam Repercussions in
Jewish Philosophy. In addition to these, there are three book-length
collections of papers and articles: (g) (1961) Religious Philosophy: A
Group of Essays; and (h) Volume 1 (1973) and Volume 2 (1977) Studies
in the History of Philosophy and Religion. Harvard University has
established Wolfson Chair in his memory, in its Center for Jewish
Studies.
Founder and Amir of Jamat-e-Islami India and then Amir of Jamat-eIslami Pakistan after 1947.
10
40
11
12
13
14
15
Cf. Al-Qurn, 56:24; also cf. chapter 56, and 40:40, 2:281, 3:25, 16:11.
16
Cf. Ibid, 2:25, 62, 82, 277; 5:69; 40:40 and many more.
17
18
Cf. Ibid, 7:147; 16:93; 17:36; 20:15; 27:90; 29:4,7; 37:39; 52:16,19; 66:7;
83:36 etc.
19
20
21
Cf. Ibid, 601-602. These verses will be stated while examining and
analysing the problem.
22
Ibid, 605.
23
24
Ibid. Wolfson uses this phrase, i.e. early Muslims, at p. 610, which is
quite ambiguous.
25
26
Cf. Ibid, 609. These orientalists see the following factors responsible for
Muslims preference of predestinarian passages of the Qurn: (i) fatalistic
belief of the pre-Islamic Arabs; (ii) influence of the Persian fatalism; (iii)
pre-Islamic belief in an impersonal Fate which can be shown on the base
of the personification of the time in pre-Islamic poetry. It is clear from the
statement of the orientalists that predestinarian views were never the
original teachings of Islam. It was only under un-Islamic influences that
predestinarian views could enter into Muslims.
27
41
28
The Qurn says that Allah is Well-Pleased with the first and foremost of
the muhjirn and the anr (the fugitives from Madna and those who
welcomed and helped them in Mecca) and they are well-pleased with
Him. The Qurn also states that same is true for those who followed
them in sincerity.
29
The Qurn states that most of the foremost in the race will consist of
the followers of the Prophet (pbuh) at his own times and a few of the of
the followers of the Prophet (pbuh) in later times will also belong to this
category (al-Qurn, 56:13-14). In what lies their merit? Conversion is
always of two types: individual or collective. Only individual conversion
is a true conversion. Collective conversions are always due to social
requirement. The foremost in race, were real converts. Having denounced
pre-Islamic beliefs of their forefathers and having affirmed faith in the
truthfulness and veracity of the Prophet (pbuh) they practically proved
themselves upright and steadfast in severe most tests. Could they ever
show even a slightest inclination towards anything un-Islamic whether
Arabian or non-Arabian? Never!
30
This is not a verse of the Qurn. Even the word tataharraka does not
exist in the Holy Qurn. This is only a statement commonly used and
referred to among Muslim illiterate folk but which is contrary to the
Qurnic teachings.
31
For the view of the writer about Qurnic concept of Allahs Power, see
Hafeez, Abdul (2002), Allahs Omnipotence and freedom of will for man.
Hamdard Islamicus, 1, 31-40.
32
33
For further reference, see al-Qurn, 10:44; 16:118; 73:76; 11:101; 2:62;
5:69; 16:98; 41:46; 45:15 and many other verses.
34
35
The Qurn calls them Sincere Slaves of Allah (Ibd ullahil Mukhlasn)
to whom the devil cannot lead astray (cf. 15:40).
36
37
38
39
Allah says that it is He Who has revealed this Reminder (i.e., the Qurn)
and it is He, Who is to protect it (cf. Ibid, 15:9). For historical
42
41
The Qurn certifies that the Prophet (pbuh) does not speak of his own
desire. (cf. 53:3); The Qurn further certifies that the whole life of the
Prophet is exemplary role model for the believers to be followed in their
own life. (cf. 33:21) Then it is certified by Allah that if anyone follows
the Prophet, Allah will love him and will forgive his sins. (cf. 3: 31) So it
stands as an article of faith of a Muslim that no saying of the Prophet can
ever contradict with the Qurn, even in the slightest degree. And if there
is such a tradition that does not cohere with the Qurn, it can never be a
saying of the Prophet irrespective of the fact that in whose reference it
has been stated and whatever methods of scrutinization it has stood
through. However in practice, Muslims had followed the opposite. Every
tradition which they came across in the books of tradition at least some
sect accepted it as true and then bent upon interpreting the Qurn in the
light of that tradition giving it priority over the Qurn. This created many
problems, which became one of the main causes of sectarianism in Islam.
For details, see Hafeez, Abdul (1999), Free will and predestinarian verses
in the Qurn. Hamdard Islamicus, 4, 97-105.
42
43
Mutazilah creed in Islam made its appearance nearly two centuries after
migration (Higrah) of the Prophet (pbuh) to Madina. They were thorough
going rationalists. They made reason the sole basis of truth and reality in
religion. They accepted totally the theory of indeterminism and were true
successors of the Qadarites (Libertarians). Asharism was a philosophicoreligious school of thought in Islam that developed during the 4th, 10th and
43
11th centuries. They would give revelation priority over reason and tried
to maintain an intermediary position between extremes. The same was
there position on problem of free will.
44
45
Ibid, 613. These two were Nazzm (d. 231/845) and Muammar
(d. 228/842) who believed in laws of nature and secondary causes. For
details, see Ibid, 559.
46
Ibid, 734.
47
48
Ibid, 660, 663. For in depth study of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of these please see
the following articles in the corresponding issues of Hamdard Islamicus,
Karachi, Pakistan: Hafeez, Abdul (1999), Free will and predestinarian
verses in the Qurn. 4, 97-105; (2000) The antinomy of free will and the
appointed term (Ajal Mussamma). 4, 63-68; (2002) Allahs Omnipotence
and freedom of will for man. 1, 31-40.
49
50
51
Ibid, 69. Dr. Hanif Ozcan attributes the non-acceptance of this view to
Sunnites, who wanted to save the characteristic of Gods Knowledge
being eternal interpreted in a way to become compatible with freedom
of man. But this is not a sound reason. The sound reason for not to accept
this view is that it amounts to declaring the essence and nature of things
(i.e., universals) as eternal/uncreated which is contrary to the Qurnic
teachings.
52
Ibid, 70.
53
Ibid, 70; quoted from Watt, W. M., The Formative Period of Islamic
Thought, 103. Ozcan presents him as a quasi-predestinarian, but Majid
Fakhri tells us with reference to Ibn Qutaybahs Kitb al-Marif and
Watts Free Will and predestination in Early Islam that some ancient
authorities attribute to him belief in free will and in this respect a story is
attributed to him. Fakhary, Majid, History of Islamic Philosophy, 42f.
54
Ibid, 70.
55
Ibid.
56
44
the woman (a.s.) expressed her reservations, the angels said do yo deem
it strange that God should decree what He Wills! Al-Qurn (11:73)
Allah has Power (Qudrah) over all things (cf. 65:12). System of causation
is under his Power, and not the vice versa. Similarly: Glory be to Him in
Whose hand is the dominion over all things! . (Ibid, 36:83).
57
58
Ibid.
59
Ibid, 72.
60
There is only one Good Name of God, i.e. Al-Qayym (He is SelfSubsisting, and as Creator of all determinations, His Self-Subsistence is
beyond all determinations. Allah is Singularly Unique (Aad). The world
eternity can be used to denote the time of the beginning of Creation of the
Universe or it can be used to refer to prior to the creation of the
Universe but it will be beyond human understanding. If it is to be used
for Allah then it should be used in the sense of Beyond Determinations
as a translation of Allahs (Adiya).
61
62
Ibid, 662.
63
For details, see Hafeez, The antinomy of free will and the appointed term
(Ajal Mussamma), 63-68.
64
65
66
67
68
For details, see Hafeez, Abdul, Free Will and Predestinarian Verses in the
Qurn.
69
70
71
The question of Pharaoh about the former generations was with reference
to the destiny of these people (Cf. al-Qurn, 20:51-52). For details, see
Hafeez, Abdul, Free Will and Predestinarian Verses in the Qurn, 102.
45
72
For detailed study, see Hafeez, Abdul, Free Will and Predestinarian
Verses in the Qurn, 97-105.
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
46
81
82
83
84
85
So far as Christians are concerned it has been admitted even by them that
there is no evidence of these concepts being Divine Attributes in
Christianity before Augustine (354-430), nor is there any evidence in the
Old Testament for it. Swinburne, Richard (1977), The Coherence of
Theism (Oxford, Clarendon Press), 217.
86
87
88
Cf. Al-Qurn, Allah, the eternally Besought of all! (112:02) Lo! Allah
is Independent of all creatures (3:97); And Moses said: Though ye and all
who are in the earth prove thankless, lo! Allah verily is Absolute Owner
of Praise (14:8); And whosoever striveth, striveth only for himself, for lo!
Allah is altogether Independent of (His) creatures (29:6).
89
47