Allah has the knowledge of the past, present and future.[1] The fact that Allah has this knowledge is not a reason for change about what will happen in this timeline. Because knowing and choosing to do are two different things.
Human being knows at what time the sun will rise and set. However, knowing this does not mean that it has an effect on the rising and setting of the sun. Likewise, the fact that Allah knows everything does not affect human will. Human being does not choose because Allah knows. Allah knows because human being chooses.
Allah creates what mankind chooses. As a matter of fact, each person is responsible for their own choices: “ We have bound every human’s destiny to their neck.1 And on the Day of Judgment We will bring forth to each ˹person˺ a record which they will find laid open. And it will be said,“Read your record. You ˹alone˺ are sufficient this Day to take account of yourself.”[2] “ No soul burdened with sin will bear the burden of another.”[3]
In Islamic literature, the word Qadr (divine decree) is used to realize Allah’s plan for His creatures[4] and the operation of nature[5]. Qadr (divine decree) is divided into two: arbitrary qadr and optional qadr.
Arbitrary qadr means that mankind has no right to choose; It is divine decree that is written against the will of man. A person’s gender, appearance, family and country in which he was born, some possibilities and limitations are examples. Optional qadr is what a person chooses voluntarily. For example, it is voluntary fate to make this choice by paying attention to certain characteristics while choosing the person to marry, or to apply for job. The fact that Allah knows this person or this institution is not compelling on a person’s choice.
[1] Al-An’am, 73
[2] Al-Isra , 13-14
[3] Fatir, 18
[4] Abdullah Ibn Omer (May Allah bless him) said My father, Umar ibn al-Khattab, told me: One day we were sitting in the company of Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) when there appeared before us a man dressed in pure white clothes, his hair extraordinarily black. There were no signs of travel on him. None amongst us recognized him. At last he sat with the Apostle (peace be upon him) He knelt before him placed his palms………. “He (the inquirer) said: Inform me about Iman (faith). He (the Holy Prophet) replied: That you affirm your faith in Allah, in His angels, in His Books, in His Apostles, in the Day of Judgment, and you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree about good and evil.” , Muslim, The book of faith, 1
[5] Ar-Ra’d, 8; Al-Furqan, 2