Islam, Intellect & Free Will

The Noble Qur'an has given to man such honor which is neither in wealth nor in power. This honor is in fulfilling the trust of "Khalifah/Vicegerent," and the foundation of this trust is "intellect."

This is why the Qur'an calls again and again: "Ulul-Albab" and "Do you not use intellect?"

Allah has chosen us and has made the religion easy:

"هُوَ اجْتَبَاكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ" (Chapter Al-Hajj: 78)

But this selection was not merely an honor. It was the responsibility of Allah's vicegerency on earth. Man was made a caliph and given the trust of implementing Allah's commands.

Now the question is: Does not man himself become his own test when he receives complete discretion?

The answer of history is clear: "Absolute power corrupts absolutely."

The Qur'an gave the example of Pharaoh: when he received complete authority he said:

"أَنَا رَبُّكُمُ الْأَعْلَىٰ" (Chapter An-Nazi'at: 24)

"I am your greatest Lord."

Allah has placed the solution to this problem in one principle. Iqbal has made this dialogue eternal:

"Goft Yazdaan ke chniyen ast o chniyen khwahad maand Goft Adam chniyen hast o chniyen khwahad bood"

God said: Walk on My guidance.

Adam presented: If you are giving discretion then grant true discretion.

Allah accepted this courage of man and at the same time deposited in nature the standard of truth and falsehood:

"فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا" (Chapter Ash-Shams: 8)

This recognition is not only for Muslims. Every human being has a conscience inside which tells him when he is doing goodness and when he is doing evil.

So then why corruption?

Because we have knowledge but we do not have action. We do evil and then we also justify it with arguments. We suppress the voice of our conscience.

Just Allah has given us three blessings: intellect, discretion and conscience.

With this very discretion we can climb the steps of ascension, and with its wrong use we can fall from ranks and go into need.

The trust is in our hands. The decision is also ours.