Man is following a course set by Allaah and has freedom of choice

 

Does man has freedom of choice or is he following a course set by Allaah?.

Praise be to Allaah.
 

 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen was asked this question
and said: The questioner should ask himself whether anyone forced him to ask
this question, and does he choose the kind of car that he drives? And other
such questions. Then the answer as to whether he is following a course set
by Allaah or has freedom of choice will become clear to him.  

Then he should ask himself whether accidents happen to him by
his choice? Or whether he falls sick by his choice? Or will he die by his
choice? 

And other similar questions. Then the answer as to whether he
is following a course set by Allaah or has freedom of choice will become
clear to him. 

The answer is that the things that the wise
person does, he undoubtedly does by his choice. Listen to the words of
Allaah (interpretation of the meaning): 

“So, whosoever wills, let him seek a place
with (or a way to) His Lord (by obeying Him in this worldly life)!”

[al-Naba’ 78:39] 

“Among you are some that desire this world
and some that desire the Hereafter”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:152] 

“And whoever desires the
Hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due for it (i.e.
does righteous deeds of Allaah’s obedience) while he is a believer (in the
Oneness of Allaah
—
Islamic Monotheism) — then such are the ones whose striving
shall be appreciated, (thanked and rewarded by Allaah)”

[al-Isra’ 17:19] 

“he must pay a Fidyah (ransom) of either
observing Sawm (fasts) (three days) or giving Sadaqah (charity — feeding six
poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep)”

[al-Baqarah 2:196] 

But if a person wants to do something and he
does it, we know that Allaah has willed it. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning): 

“To whomsoever among you who wills to walk
straight.

And you cannot will unless (it be) that
Allaah wills — the Lord of the ‘Aalameen
(mankind, jinn and all that exists)”

[al-Takweer 81:28-29] 

Because His Lordship (ruboobiyyah) is complete and perfect,
nothing can happen in the heavens or on earth except by His will. 

With regard to things that happen to a person
or that he does without choosing or willing them, such as sickness, death
and accidents, they are purely divine will (al-qadar) and the person has no
choice or will with regard to them. 

And Allaah is the Source of strength.