As a child, I used to wish for a toy that possessed its own will, one that would talk to me, keep me company, and remain loyal to me. As I grew older, I came to realize that no matter how humanlike a toy may appear in form, it can never truly possess will like a human being. Even if we were able to give it a flawless human appearance, we could never endow it with a soul. Perhaps we could equip it with artificial intelligence and program it to behave in certain ways, but ultimately, it would act following the programming we have given it, selecting the most probable option based on data sources; therefore, it would never become a truly willful, original individual. From this perspective, the act of granting an independent personality and unique will is a power that belongs solely to Allah the Almighty.
Even though we humans can assemble certain elements and give them particular forms, we are unable to create something out of nothing. Likewise, we cannot endow a shaped object with a willful personality. Such objects remain merely machines. Therefore, both the act of creating a being from nothing and bestowing upon it a unique, willful personality are powers and authorities that belong solely to Allah the Almighty (swt). Moreover, although we as humans constantly feel and experience our spiritual existence and our capacity for will, we have no knowledge whatsoever of where in our bodies these reside or what kind of essence they truly are. From this perspective, the human being is, above all, ignorant of the very nature of his own essential existence. When questions were posed to the Prophet Muhammad (saw) regarding the soul, Allah the Almighty responded as follows: “…you (O humanity) have been given but little knowledge” (Isra, 17:85). Evidently, this subject will retain its mystery for humankind until the Day of Judgment. Even if we do not know its nature, our willful aspect remains the most assured and apparent manifestation of our being. So much so that, when one thinks of a human being, one immediately thinks of a creature possessing will.
The will as a limited and responsible sphere of freedom
We become aware of and exercise our “will” at the point where we decide what to do with the means granted to us. The sense that we can freely choose from among the various options presented to us is a feeling of freedom. In close coordination with free will, another feeling that immediately arises within us, almost running neck and neck with this sense of freedom, is the sense of “responsibility”. The thought that the choice we make will inevitably have either a good or a bad outcome for us leads us to hesitation. For this reason, the human being does not prefer or desire a limited and responsible freedom but rather seeks and yearns for absolute freedom. However, this pursuit is virtually blocked by the very sense of responsibility that spontaneously emerges within us.
The sense of responsibility that stems from our innate nature serves to balance our free will. While one might have the ability to exercise their will without restraint, most people do not enjoy acting responsibly and attempting to keep it under control. This is because the desire to act arrogantly and to do whatever one wishes without accountability is pleasing to the ear—and to the nafs. However, those who reason understand and perceive that free will has been granted by Allah only temporarily and as a trust, and that an accounting of it will be made at the end of this period. Indeed, the information conveyed through revelation directly expresses this conclusion, which the human being can already comprehend through his innate disposition and reason. Allah the Almighty states: “Indeed, We offered the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they (all) declined to bear it, being fearful of it. But humanity assumed it, (for) they are truly wrongful (to themselves) and ignorant (of the consequences).” (Ahzab, 33:72) As can be understood from this noble verse, Allah the Almighty informs us that He presented this trust to all of creation. Gaining free will and thereby recognizing Allah the Almighty voluntarily, loving Him by choice, and showing sincere reverence to Him is only possible within this atmosphere of freedom. Yet, more often than not, humanity has used this freedom in a way that wrongs Allah the Almighty, fails to acknowledge His greatness, and acts ignorantly by disregarding the truth. This reality is clearly expressed at the end of the verse.
The ultimate accountability of the will is in the hereafter
The fact that will is inherently bound to responsibility leads conscientious hearts and minds to a clear and complete awareness: some consequences of how we exercise our will are experienced even in this world, yet it’s true and final recompense will be rendered before the Creator on the Day of Judgment. Allah the Almighty (swt) has consistently reminded humanity of this truth, the belief in the Hereafter, through the prophets He has sent, and He has warned them accordingly. As Allah the Almighty declares: “Did you then think that We had created you without purpose?” (Mu’minun, 23:115) In this verse, Allah the Almighty reminds us that this life we live and the blessings we attain within it are not without purpose, nor are they meaningless or in vain. He warns us that the outcome will not be the same for those who use these blessings for good and those who use them for evil. Allah the Exalted states: “Or do those who commit evil deeds (simply) think that We will make them equal—in their life and after their death—to those who believe and do good? How wrong is their judgment!” ( Jathiyah, 45:21) And in another verse: “Or should We treat those who believe and do good like those who make mischief throughout the land? Or should We treat the righteous like the wicked?” (Sad, 38:28)
The will is the process through which we determine what we wish to become
In this world, human beings are created with various forms of excellence. Likewise, the means and resources they possess are diverse. None of these were chosen by us at the outset. Therefore, our temporary worldly circumstances have been determined by the Creator as a part of our test. In contrast, our state in the Hereafter will be shaped by the outcomes we earn through our willful actions in this life. As Allah the Almighty states: “See how We have favored some over others (in this life), but the Hereafter is certainly far greater in rank and in favor.” (Isra, 17:21) Thus, while our worldly differences and distinctions are manifestations of Allah the Almighty’s decree during this temporary phase, our ranks in the Hereafter will be the direct result of our own willful choices and actions.
The will is individual; it can never be transferred to another
Every soul will return to its Lord alone. (An‘am, 6:94). Therefore, the authority and responsibility of will cannot be delegated to another; a person cannot surrender himself to the decision of someone else, for Allah the Almighty (swt) has strictly prohibited His servants from doing so. Allah the Exalted states: “Do not follow what you have no ‘sure’ knowledge of. Indeed, all will be called to account for ‘their’ hearing, sight, and intellect.” (Isra, 17:36) Allah (swt) has granted each of us the innate ability to discern between the good and the bad among the options that lie before us. This capacity is embedded within our very nature. When a person turns toward the right choice from among these clarified options, they will have performed a deed befitting the reward promised by Allah the Almighty. However, if one knowingly chooses what is wrong, then that individual alone will bear the consequences of this decision in the Hereafter. Therefore, for the will to be exercised with full awareness and for responsibility to be established, insight, consciousness, and awareness are absolute necessities. Indeed, Allah (swt) sent His Messenger with the following call: “Say, (O Prophet,) ‘This is my way. I invite to Allah with insight.’” (Yusuf, 12:108)
A person is accountable for their own will solely and entirely before Allah the Almighty (swt). For this reason, Allah the Exalted states: “No soul burdened with sin will bear the burden of another.” (An‘am, 6:164) And again, Allah (swt) says: “Every soul will be detained for what it has done.” (Muddaththir, 74:38) At the same time, no one has the right to impose their will upon another or to suppress someone else’s freedom of choice. As our Lord clearly declares: “Let there be no compulsion in religion.” (Baqarah, 2:256) In another verse, He admonishes the Prophet Muhammad (saw) with the following words: “Would you then force people to become believers?” (Yunus, 10:99)
The absolute will that says “be” and it is
Let us now elaborate on the distinction between free will and absolute will. Free will refers to a servant’s ability to make a choice without being subject to compulsion. That is, a person may choose option A, B, or C as they wish. Likewise, they may choose good and righteous deeds, or evil, incorrect, and even most deviant actions, including transgressions against others or acts filled with criminality, or even the most unjust and destructive actions toward their own body. Though this freedom operates within a set of limited options, it nonetheless constitutes a form of full autonomy. However, these actions are not without consequence: they are subject to accountability, and as a result of this accountability, they bring about either reward or punishment. Therefore, free will is a limited and accountable form of freedom.
The Absolute Will, on the other hand, is the capacity to do all things—and never be held accountable for any of them. From this perspective, the absolute will is singular; it cannot exist in more than one being. By definition, if it were found in two separate entities, a conflict of will would arise, and one would inevitably become accountable to the other. When this point is properly understood, it becomes clear that absolute will belongs solely and exclusively to Allah the Almighty (swt), the One Who brings all into existence. As Allah (swt) states: “Surely your Lord does what He intends.” (Hud, 11:107) And again: “He cannot be questioned about what He does.” (Anbiya, 21:23)
When one is told “return to Your Lord”, free will comes to an end
When people flee from responsibility and go beyond free will by desiring absolute will, they are, in effect, imitating Allah the Almighty (swt). This constitutes, in its truest sense, an act of arrogance toward the Creator by the servant. For absolute will belongs solely to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. If we reject our servitude and desire to become divine—using the will granted to us to stand in defiance against Allah the Almighty—then the Exalted Creator has informed us that such arrogance will be met with eternal punishment. From this, we can grasp the immense gravity and significance of both the countless blessings we enjoy in this life and the precious, willful existence built upon them. This eternal and dire consequence underscores just how serious and meaningful our God-given will truly is.
In this worldly life, the free actions we perform through our will are like signatures we place upon eternity. When death arrives, it signifies that the time allotted to our will has come to an end, and every soul, whether willingly or unwillingly, must return to its Lord. Thus, the end has come for a free yet accountable will, which was temporarily granted and sustained within a framework of limited time and choices. In the final analysis, death brings will to an end, and the time of reckoning begins.
