Fatalism versus Complete Freedom

Compiled by: Syed Zainul Abideen, Tehran, Iran
Imam Sadiq A.S. has said: “There is neither fatalism nor complete freewill but the truth is between these two extremes”
When the Imam was asked whether God has permitted human beings to do whatever they like? The Imam replied: “God is too powerful to allow people to be completely free without restrictions in their activities.”
Note: When a person says:“I am the master of my life and the captain of my fate”, has he not forgotten that God is the Master of our life? Not only all mankind but also trillions of angels are servants of God.

Complete freewill
Imam Sadiq(A.S) has said: “ 1. If a person thinks that all affairs have been entrusted to his freewill to do whatever he likes then he has regarded God’s Might as too trifle and therefore he shall be destroyed.

Fatalism
2. If a person thinks that he has no power to do anything by his own decision and that everything is done by God it means God is unjust when He punishes the criminals and sinners for what He had predestined Himself.

Actuality
3. If a person thinks that God has commanded him to do what is possible for him and does not expect him to do whatever is beyond his ability, and is thankful for God’s goodwill whenever he performs a good deed and seeks forgiveness with sincere repentance for his sins, such a person is a mature and a civilized Muslim.