Juz’ 12 – Hud 6 – Yusuf 52, Topic: Does man have free will to find salvation?

This post was guest written by Danish Moti

The verses of the Qur’an that are captured between Hud 6 and Yusuf 52 offer many amazing parallels between the time of the Prophet (SAAS) and the present. Some of these parallels are solemn and offer the reader a moment to reflect and find firm footing in one’s faith. While other parallels offered a moment to smile or find humor in how history seems to repeat itself.

My fist moment of reflection comes in reading the trials and tribulation the Prophet faced as he attempted to deliver the message that Allah had shared with him. While these stories are well known, what I did not know is that Allah shared examples of past prophets the Prophet so that he may derive strength and understand that Allah will guide him in the same way as he guided messengers in the past. For example, the Prophet is told the story of Noah so that he may find strength and reassurance that he will be given fortitude to successfully deliver his message (11:37). This makes me think that there is a messenger in each of us. I think each person’s faith is tested and ultimately cycles through high and low tides. When we find comfort and meaning in our faith, we experience high point in our relationship with our maker. When we dither and lose faith in our maker, we experience the shallow waters of low tide. While both high and low tides are created by the same body of water, I move to the question of what caused the rise and fall of our faith?

It seems the accounts written in the Qur’an describe that people are responsible for their own actions, and at the same time Allah wills man to act in a certain way. So does man have free will to find salvation? When are damned, are we damned because of our wrong doing or did Allah will it so? In both Suras 11:9 and 11:10 it states “We cause” mercy and favor and finally that “God is Guardian of all things” 11:12. The last verse indicates that God determines guidance of man, not even the Prophet has this authority. These verses suggest that God guides to the path whom he wishes. Further we read that it nothing can save you “if God desires to cause you to err” 11:34. For when we ask to be guided to the right path, it is “the path of those who You have blessed” 1:7. So it is he who blesses us and causes us to err, how has one earned salvation or damnation? I know I am delving into a classical debate of free will and predestination. I will leave for the reader to determine whether man chooses a path or is set on a path.

Much can be said and has been said about the incident that occurred between Joseph and Zulaykha. However, after Joseph loses his shirt for the second time in a single narrative, I began to wonder if this is the person that Salman Khan has based all of his characters off of. I am sure there is much more reflection that can and should be had concerning topics of jealousy, beauty, parables in the Qur’an.