Al-Qadr (Predestination)
Shi’a Muslims do not agree with the view that human actions are predestined and predetermined by Allah. Indeed, Allah has knowledge of all events, past and future, but human beings are responsible for their own deeds and actions. Allah’s foreknowledge does not force a human to act in that way.
Thus Shi’a Muslims maintain that human beings are directly responsible for their actions through the freewill given to them by Allah. The natural laws of the universe, however, are not determined by human beings but by Allah. In this way, Allah exercises His general will over the heavens and the earth. But whatever choices human beings make they do so through freewill.
In the view of Shi’a Muslims, Allah sometimes influences events in the universe directly. An example is the ordering of religious commandments such as when Allah commanded the Archangel Jibra’il to convey the revelations of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad. In the broad scheme of things, all power is of Allah; human beings perform actions within the parameters for them by Allah. Human beings are free to decide on the paths they take in this life and this is affirmed by the following Qurʾanic verse: “Indeed We have guided him to the way, be he grateful or ungrateful.” (Qurʾan 76:3) Shi’a Muslims understand the verse as being a clear indication of Allah providing guidance for human beings through the human intellect and divine messengers. Each person is thus responsible for the state of his or her own soul.
However, Shi’a Muslims also believe that some things are predestined by Allah. For example, Allah has already preordained the sustenance He will provide to a human being or has preordained the time of a person’s death. However, the human being has the freewill to earn the sustenance through lawful or unlawful means; one may steal money or work for money. Shi’a Muslims also believe that what was destined for you can be changed by Allah. For example:
“Whoever would like his sustenance to be increased and his life to be extended, should uphold the ties of kinship.”
This shows that doing certain good deeds can increase your sustenance or your lifespan; keeping ties with your family is one of these deeds. If I reconcile with a family member, my lifespan and sustenance can increase. This does not mean that Allah changes His mind based on your actions and is dictated by humans. His eternal knowledge means He was always aware of this.
Hence, Shi’a Muslims believe in a middle route when it comes to predestination and freewill. Some things are predestined but we also have freewill.