Predestination
“Nothing happens on earth, nor in your own souls, without being pre-recorded in a record, before We bring it into existence.”
We possess absolute freedom to believe or disbelieve in God. It is God's will that we will choose our own path (; ; ; ; ; ; ).
Humanity committed an original transgression (see Appendix 7) and was subsequently offered redemption by accepting God's authority (). Many, however, chose to witness Satan's capabilities instead. Those who object to the concept of predestination often overlook both the severity of that original offense and the opportunity to repent.
Free Will Within God's Full Knowledge
According to , all lives and events are pre-recorded — like a videotape. God possesses complete knowledge of every individual's ultimate destination: Heaven or Hell. One can imagine each soul's forehead stamped with its predetermined outcome from God's perspective — yet humans remain genuinely free in their choices. There is no contradiction: God's foreknowledge does not compel our decisions.
Quranic Examples
Abraham ()
Abraham received guidance because God knew he was a good soul deserving direction. God's prior knowledge of Abraham's character informed the gift of guidance — not the other way around.
Joseph ()
“God diverted evil and sin from Joseph, for he was one of My devoted worshipers.” God's intervention reflected Joseph's own sincere devotion, which God knew in advance.
Key Principle
Predestination means that God already knows the outcome of our freely made choices. His foreknowledge does not remove our responsibility. We are accountable for the path we freely choose, even as God has known since eternity which path each soul will take.