Free-Will: The sphere that man dominates

Table of Contents

Human Nature (Fitrah)

Every human is born with a natural disposition (fitrah) towards monotheism and morality (30:30)

Gratitude

Gratitude is valuing the means which Allah has has given us, which helps us be resourceful.

Judging Intentions & Actions

Cause & Effect

Al-Ghazali’s occasionalism ?

Barkah?

Definition of a Muslim

One that follows the Quran in it’s entirety. Any interpretation that has a relationship with the literal Quranic text, and does not contradict any other text of the Quran must be accepted as a possible meaning.

What defines our physical world is duality, relativism and limited nature of physical forms and the physical world.

Belief leads to appreciation of the world as God’s gifts
Disbelief leads to confusion, hedonism, criminality.
Allah calls them lifeless
Baseless cult zombie.
True Westerners value White Europeans.
Zionist Westerners value Zionist Westerners.
Western right-wing zealots will destroy all that Jesus stood for, in order to see Jesus.
- Don’t Believe Everything You Think
  - Thoughts vs. Reality
    - Our experiences and perceptions are created by our thoughts, not by external reality.
    - Different people can have vastly different experiences of the same event based on their thoughts.
    - Changing our thinking can change our experience of reality.
  - Stop Negative Thinking
    - Recognize that suffering comes from thoughts, not external events.
    - Practice becoming aware of your thoughts and how they influence your feelings.
    - Use mindfulness and meditation to observe thoughts without getting attached to them.
  - Living Without Constant Thinking
    - Learn to trust intuition and inner wisdom.
    - Create a non-thinking environment by minimizing distractions and focusing on the present moment.
    - Use frameworks provided in the book to remove thinking triggers and implement non-thinking in daily life.
  - Application in Daily Life
    - Achieving goals and ambitions by following intuition rather than overthinking.
    - Finding unconditional love and joy in the present moment.
    - Overcoming destructive habits by changing the underlying thought patterns.
- Self-awareness and Introspection
  - Recognizing oneself as a servant of Allah and seeking self-improvement and spiritual growth.
  - Understanding one’s purpose in life and striving for personal excellence.
- Character – Good Moral and Mental Qualities
  - The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized good character.
  - A human being becomes human by virtue of their character, not their appearance.
  - Moral Qualities
    - The avoidance of sins and striving against one’s base desires (jihad an-nafs) is also part of this personal identity.
    - Some of Allah’s attributes
      - Intelligent
      - Unique
      - Noble and Glorious
      - Knowledge and Wisdom
      - Strength, Power and Greatness
      - Planning and Design
      - Justice and Accountability
      - Guardianship and Support
      - Mercy and Benevolence
    - Some attributes found in the angels
      - Singing the praises of Allah
      - In performing meritorious acts of devotion
    - Some of the Prophet (SAW)’s attributes
      - Honesty
      - Patience
      - Humility
      - Compassion
    - Some attributes found in animals
      - Desire for food
      - Anger
      - Greed
      - Rivalry
      - Jealousy
  - Mental Qualities
    - Self-aware
    - Takes responsibility
    - Goal focused
    - Relentlessly positive
    - Optimistic
    - Confident
    - Has good judgement
    - Learns from mistakes
    - Embraces change
Al-Nafs (The Soul/Self)
- The word nafs in the singular, while anfus and nufus in the plural have been mentioned time and again in the Holy Qur’an at 376 places.
- The nafs can more obviously be felt during puberty and adulthood together with the physical development of the human body.
- The nafs is part and parcel of the human spirit (al-ruh).
- At death, the nafs which is immortal will depart from the body together with the spirit to exist in another dimension of life known as al-barzakh (life after death) while waiting for yawm al-qiyāmah (day of resurrection).
- The nafs as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an has three developmental stages:
  - Al-Nafs al-Ammārah (the evil Self) – Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human) soul is certainly prone to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely My Lord is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful (12:53)
  - Al-Nafs al-Lawwāmah (the blaming/changing Self): – And I do call to witness the self-reproaching spirit; (75:2)
  - Al-Nafs al-MuÏma’innah (the content Self): – To the righteous soul will be said: O (thou) soul, In (complete) rest and satisfaction! Come back thou to thy Lord – well pleased (thyself) and well pleasing unto Him! Enter thou, then, among my Devotees! Yea, enter thou My Heaven (89:27-30)
- How Desires Alter Perception
  - Selective Attention: Driven by the desires of the mind, body, and senses, individuals might focus on specific stimuli while ignoring others. For example, a person feeling cold might not notice the beauty of a snowy landscape.
  - Cognitive Distortions: Desires can lead to distorted thinking patterns. For instance, a strong desire for validation might cause someone to overinterpret neutral events as negative (e.g., thinking a friend is mad at them when they’re just preoccupied).
  - Emotional Coloring: Desires, especially when unmet, can imbue perceptions with emotional tones. An experience as simple as waiting in a line can feel drastically different based on one’s current mood, physical comfort, and sensory stimulation.
  - Reinforcement Loops: When a particular desire is met, it reinforces the behaviors and perceptions that led to its fulfillment. Over time, this can create habitual patterns of perception and behavior, even if they don’t reflect the broader reality.
  - Reality Filtering: People often unconsciously filter reality based on their desires. They might notice things that align with their current needs or wants and overlook things that don’t.
  - Expectation and Prediction Errors: The mind’s desire for predictability can lead to forming expectations. When reality doesn’t match these expectations, it can result in prediction errors, leading to surprise or confusion.
- Islamic methods to satisfy the desires
  - Desire for Food and Drink (Nafs al-Amara – The Soul that Incites to Evil):
  - Fasting (Sawm): Observing fasting during the month of Ramadan and optional fasts throughout the year helps control one’s desire for food and drink.
  - Eating in Moderation: Avoiding overeating and excessive consumption of unhealthy food helps maintain physical and spiritual well-being.
  - Desire for Sexual Gratification (Nafs al-Lawama – The Reproaching Soul):
  - Marriage (Nikah): Encouraged for those who can afford it, as it provides a lawful means to fulfill one’s sexual desires in a halal (permissible) way.
  - Observing Modesty (Haya’): Practicing modesty in dress and behavior helps control and channel one’s sexual desires.
  - Desire for Wealth and Possessions (Nafs al-Mulhama – The Inspired Soul):
  - Giving Charity (Sadaqah): Regularly giving charity and helping those in need cultivates a sense of detachment from wealth and promotes generosity.
  - Avoiding Hoarding: Refraining from excessive materialism and hoarding wealth allows one to focus on the spiritual aspects of life.
  - Desire for Power and Status (Nafs al-Mutma’innah – The Serene Soul):
  - Humility and Humbleness: Cultivating humility and recognizing the transient nature of power and status helps in managing this desire.
  - Service to Others: Engaging in selfless service to benefit others instead of seeking power for personal gain.
  - Desire for Recognition and Approval (Nafs al-Radiyya – The Satisfied Soul):
  - Seeking Allah’s Pleasure: Focusing on seeking approval and recognition from Allah rather than people’s praise or validation.
  - Avoiding Showing Off (Riya’): Being sincere in actions and intentions, avoiding showing off, and maintaining sincerity in worship.
  - Desire for Relaxation and Leisure (Nafs al-Mutmainnah – The Contented Soul):
  - Balancing Rest and Work: Maintaining a healthy balance between leisure and productivity to avoid excessive indulgence in leisure activities.
  - Engaging in Acts of Worship: Utilizing leisure time for acts of worship, reflection, and remembrance of Allah

The natural way of life

“I have not created men except that they should serve Me”
(51:56)

Islam is also called deen al-fitrah, the religion of human nature
- Its laws and its teachings are in full harmony with the normal and the natural inclinations of the human nature.
Man is not outside nature
- God is the creator of the universe and the creator of man. The same God is also the organizer of the universe, of human life and of human relationship to the universe. Man is a part of the universe, the laws which govern human nature are no different from the laws governing the universe. Earth has been created and designed for the purpose of testing human beings.
This universe was created for humans to be tested by Allah.
- Every soul will taste death and meet Allah.
- Every soul will see the fruit of their deeds, even if it the size of a mustard seed.
- Another world and life awaits.Every soul will be tested and judged
Divine law directs society
- Shariah which God has given to man to organize his life is also a part of the universal law. Thus obedience to the Shariah becomes a necessity for human beings so that their life may become harmonious and in tune with the rest of the universe.
Being a Muslim (A submitter)
- Islam does not mean peace. Islam means to submit.
- The believer, believes in what was revealed to us from Allah:
  - Tawhid (Oneness of Allah)
  - All the Prophets
  - All the Divine Books
  - Islamic Worldview: This worldview holds that reality encompasses both the physical and the spiritual. It is based on the belief in a transcendent Allah who created and governs the universe. Spiritual truths and divine revelation are considered essential components of reality.
  - All the Angels
  - Day of Judgment
  - Predestination
  - Life After Death
- The believer obeys the commands of Islam:
  - Eating certain things
  - Wearing certain things
  - Praying a certain way
  - Treats bodily sickness in a natural way
  - Those who have been given, the test is to give.
  - Those who have not been given, the test is to be patient.
  - Beautifying oneself with good character.
- Life is full of tests
  - Life is viewed as a test of faith, patience, and perseverance. Trials and tribulations are seen as opportunities for spiritual growth and drawing closer to Allah.
  - The laxity on the part of man in developing and in actualizing the angelic and godly attributes in him, make him go steep and deep in his animal nature. Due to this, he becomes a perverted transgressor and goes beyond all limits set by Allah in the Holy Qur’an.
  - On the contrary, when man develops and actualizes the angelic and godly attributes he becomes an angelic as well as a godly individual who qualifies himself in gaining Allah’s good pleasure. It has been envisioned in the Holy Qur’an and Hadith that such an individual will taste happiness in this world and an everlasting felicity in the hereafter.
- Life is Time and Attention
  - Time
    - What do you give your time to?
    - Time is human experience.
    - Time is not quantifiable.
    - The eternal now.
  - Attention / Mindfulness / Remembrance vs Distraction / Mental Distress / Derangement
    - Some people give their time, attention to football – Remind them, so that they can come back to reality.
    - Go to sleep and don’t expect to get up in the morning.
    - Consider yourself dead already.
    - Wake up now.
    - Come to attention before you are brought to attention.
    - Do much remembrance of death.
    - He will never be still.
    - They have no fear of the future and they have no grief of the past. They are present.
    - What you give your attention to will determine your reality
    - Quantity of happiness in your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
    - Distraction, pleasurable occupation of the mind
    - Give your attention to what’s important.
    - Focus your attention on the next life.
    - Remember. In every moment of life, you are aware and thinking, choices are being made, paths are being formed in your mind, in your intentions and actions.
  - Think positively, your body will adjust accordingly
  - Our resources are not our resources.
  - Our purpose in life is to achieve justice in all its forms.
  - Power of perception
His khalīfah (vicegerent) on earth
- The title Khalifah places man in an honored position to be Allah’s deputy; administrator; representative, etc. on earth. His position as Allah’s Khalifah gives him power and authority to rule, manage and preserve the earth. The office to vicegerency can be used by man in two ways: to either abuse the power and authority for the spread of evil and injustice or to use them for things that are good for humanity.
- Life is an amanah (trust) and methaq (covenant). This life is a temporary test, the next life is the real eternal life.
- Those who adhere to the message of Allah and lead a righteous life are entitled to enter paradise and the unrighteous sinners will go to hell.
- Stewardship: Humans are appointed as stewards (Khalifah) on Earth, entrusted with the responsibility to cultivate, maintain, and safeguard the world and its resources.
- Moral Responsibility: This role entails a moral and ethical responsibility to live according to Allah’s commandments, promoting justice, and preventing corruption and harm.

Jihad – The activist is a rank above the sedentary

“Those of the believers who sit still, other than those who have a (disabling) hurt, are not on an equality with those who strive in the way of God with their wealth and lives. God hath conferred on those who strive with their wealth and lives a rank above the sedentary. Unto each God hath promised good, but He hath bestowed on those who strive a great reward above the sedentary.” (Q 4:95 trans. Pickthall.25)

In the above verse, the activist is ranked above the sedentary even though both are believers. However, while the activist is praised as being “a
rank above,” the sedentary is not criticized for being a rank below. Rather, the sedentary is a rank lower in comparison to the activist. This is indicated
clearly by the statement, “Unto each God hath promised good, but He hath bestowed on those who strive a great reward above the sedentary.”

Qadr – Predestination

Freedom

Reality is full of constraints, we are better off recognizing what they are.

Without Allah, the hierarchy of people becomes based on material aspects.

Our purpose in life

Humans have been placed on earth by Allah, in order to be tested.
Humans have the highest intelligence on earth, and as such have been placed in full responsibility of the earth, it’s natural environment, the plants and animals that inhabit it, and the rest of humankind. (Not the moon, and certainly not mars)
Christianity is a religion because it commands personal laws only.
Islam and Judaism are ideologies, meaning religions with personal laws, as well as social laws and systems.
A group amongst us must be appointed by the ummah, in order to elect one authority for the entire ummah.
That authority will be given the resources and capacity to enforce the systems of Islam upon the earth and it’s inhabitants.
Removing Taghut (oppressive systems of power) from our societies.
The prophetic mission of all the prophets and of all revelation was in part to come up with a holistic program whereby the people could reverse the effects of taghut in their societies.

The Mission of Islam

Islam promises to solve all human problems. There is no regime in this world which will supply the renascent nation with what it requires in the way of institutions, principles, objectives and sensibilities to the same extent as does Islam. Setting up an Islamic Government is the only solution to these problems.

The foremost objective of this movement is to change the practices of the Jahili Society, and its long term planning is to change the Jahili system at its very roots, and among the early programs or stages of training and education for members of this movement is to remove themselves from all the influences of the Jahiliyah – from its concepts, traditions and leadership.

It is understood that the Islamic Society is not one in which people call themselves ‘Muslim* and their birth certificates register them as Muslim, but in which the Islamic Law has no status, for communities cannot be considered Islamic, whatever their numbers, if the system of life is constructed on some other foundation or if other sources are mixed with this foundation.

The Western Civilization today, unable to present any healthy values for the guidance of mankind, rather brings them to the brink of a precipice. It is more clear if we observe that all man-made ideologies, movements and theories derived from the Western Civilization have lost their vitality and have proved to be a failure.

Is neccessary for Muslims to assume their role of leadership through Islam, to liberate all humanity from allegiance to any system or law other than the Shari’ah, Islam is commissioned to realize peace in the world, to eradicate oppression and injustice whenever they are found, even though it is the oppression of the individual against himself, the oppression of society against itself or the oppression of the government against its constituents.

God is the creator of the universe and the creator of man. The same God is also the organizer of the universe, of human life and of human relationship to the universe. Man is a part of the universe, the laws which govern human nature are no different from the laws governing the universe. And Shariah which God has given to man to organize his life is also a part of the universal law. Thus obedience to the Shariah becomes a necessity for human beings so that their life may become harmonious and in tune with the rest of the universe.

The crisis in the modern world cannot be overcome except by the acceptance of the Islamic system as the regulative principle. Once the Islamic system is restored, the virtuous society would arise.

Islam completes our lives. It gives us the purpose and method of life.

Do you think that our creator would leave us to our own lost wandering of purposelessness, of self-gratification based on ever-changing perceived and natural desires. We are given a higher purpose in this worldly life, which is our only single opportunity to strive towards the highest values.

The people who are identified as being negligent or heedless (ghafil) in the Quran have a limited understanding and appreciation of the true essence of life. These individuals are preoccupied with only the superficial aspects of the world and do not pay attention to the significance of the hereafter (30:7)

Examples

For example, he walks, eats, drinks and travels, whenever he likes.
He also burns with fire and cuts with a knife when he chooses.
He refrains from doing any of these actions whenever he likes.

Man is accountable for the use of the gift and test of Free-Will

Man proceeds freely according to the system he chooses, whether it is the law of Allah (Shari’ah) or any other.
Therefore, man is reckoned on these actions, which he performs within this sphere.
Although the attributes in objects, instincts, and organic needs have an affect on the outcome of the action, their attributes by themselves do not initiate action, it is man who initiates the action when using them.
The sexual inclination in the instinct of reproduction has the potential for good and bad.
The hunger present in the organic need has the potential for good and bad.
Allah gave the mind the quality of comprehension and judgement.
He also guided man to know the path of good and bad.

Human Free-Will: Divine Knowledge

We all have the capacity to experience the joy of true free-will.
Many people don’t want to experience it, they prefer to believe that they are the body, and have very limited experience.
We see a hierarchical organization in the body and in the cosmos.

The belief in free will is essential in Islam. This is because, for Muslims, life is a test from Allah. For both Sunni and Shi’a Muslims, al-Qadr does not mean that the choices people make are not free choices. Instead, it means that Allah knows what choices people are going to make before they are made, and human Free-Will is subject to Allah’s Will and therefore is allowed to take place by Allah’s Permission.

On the Day of Judgement

Allah judges people on their choices, not on the destiny already decided for them.

Knowing Yourself & Your Purpose