MOKHTAR STORK
Freedom of Choice is a double-edged sword. Used in the right manner it can be a blessing but used wrongly, it can lead to your destruction. From an Islamic perspective, the Qur’an points out that when God decided to create Adam, the angels questioned Him over doing so: “And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?" God said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know," (Surah Baqarah 2:30).
The angels asked this question so that they could understand the purpose of creating Man. Having witnessed the mischief and destruction of Iblis and his host, they were astonished at God’s proposal. This clearly indicates that angels are not mere robots. They have the capacity to reason but by nature are obedient servants of God. Man in turn is a combination of good and bad. His inclinations are often commanded by desire rather than submission and obedience to God.
Ibnu Kathir (1/216) said: “What the angels said was not by way of objecting to God, or by way of envy for the sons of Adam, as some commentators thought. God, may He be exalted, has described the angels as (They do not speak until He has spoken: Surah Anbiya’ 21:27); in other words, they do not ask Him about anything for which they are not given permission. When God told them that He was going to create a new creation on earth, Qatadah said: They already knew that the new creation would spread mischief on earth, so they said: “Will You place upon it…”. The angels out the wisdom asked: “O our Lord, what is the wisdom behind creating these people, even though some of them will spread mischief on earth and shed blood? For if the purpose is that they should worship You, we already glorify and praise You and sanctify You.” In other words, we pray to You and we will not do anything of that manner at all, so why did You not decree that we are enough?
God, may He be exalted, said, responding to this question of theirs: “Indeed, I know that which you do not know”. That is, I know that there is a greater purpose in creating such people, which outweighs the mischief that you refer to, which you do not know, for there will be Prophets and Messengers among them, and among them there will be those who are strong and true in faith, martyrs, righteous people, devoted worshippers, ascetics, close friends of Mine, devout people, those who are close to Me, scholars who act in accordance with their knowledge, those who fear Me, those who love Me, and those who will follow the Messengers (blessings and peace of God be upon them). End quote.
Refer:https://islamqa.info/en/answers/314889/the-angels-questioned-allah-in-order-to-find-out-and-learn. (Many references in the form of scholarly opinions have been presented).
Why are we in such a predicament? When God first offered the Trust (Amanat) to Creation, they all turned it down out of fear while Adam accepted it. He was told that if he did good, he would be reward and if he did evil, he would be punished. He did not reflect upon this. The Qur’an states: “Indeed, we offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man [undertook to] bear it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant,” (Surah Ahzab 33:72).
If you study human nature based on the Qur’an and Ahadith, you will be able to understand that our disaster began the day we took office as God’s Vicegerent on Earth. We are opportunistic creatures that are always on the lookout for benefits. In general, no one accepts an undertaking if there are no rewards. Adam’s choice was more inclined towards rewards rather than fear of God. Writers of tafsir politely state that it was intended to attain nearness to God.
However, in the end, we have to acknowledge that Adam’s existence was preordained by God. This has been expressed in Hadith and mentioned by the Prophet (s.a.w.) during his Ascension to the Heavens (Mi’raj). Adam’s answer to Moses when he accused him for state of affairs was answered with these words: “Do you blame me for an action which God had written in my fate forty years before my creation?” “This is how Adam confuted Moses,” said the Prophet (s.a.w.) three times. (Sahih Bukhari 6614: In-book reference: Book 82, Hadith 20).
Has Freedom of Choice really benefited us? When you view the world from the beginning time, beginning with Noah right down to present times, can we say that Freedom of Choice has really made a difference to our lives. Netflix Yellowstone: [In reference to the Red Indians]: “The United States has broken every rule in has made from its first treaty with France to every treaty with us to their last treaty with Iran. They only hold others to their rules. They make war when they want, where they want, and they take what they want, then they make the rules that keep you from taking it back. They make rules for the slave and then they make rules for the masters….”
We spend so much money probing space to find another planet like Earth, when every planet within our reach is inhospitable, yet, we have everything at home on Mother Earth, and which we daily destroy at will due to greed for power, wealth and position! Almost every nation on earth is in dire straits. Muslim states are even in worse shape.
Just what is so great about being bestowed Freedom of Choice? Do you think you are really free? Every law in existence that grants it to you has many strings attached to it. If you become a threat, you will be terminated at all cost. Like an ant, life will be crushed out of you. What is indeed amazing about human beings is that some will take the risk to uphold the truth and justice, while most will tag along regardless of impending destruction, suffering and sorrow. Take a look at Sri Lanka. It has become penniless. Take a look at Pakistan. Take a look at Palestine and then take a look at home. The national debt of this nation is now at RM1.39 trillion.(https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/10/965234/ags-report-malaysias-federal-liabilities-now-rm139-trillion-updated).
The amazing thing about human nature is that most could not give a damn over what takes place. They only wake up to reality when it strikes them. Many are advised about their intake of sugar and salt, but most ignore such advise until they are struck with diabetes and high-blood-pressure. In general, we are a selfish lot, self-centred, egoistic, filled with pride and arrogance. Self-interest comes first. This more or less sums up our approach to Freedom of Choice. On God’s part, one could say: “Well, God granted you Freedom of Choice, so that you may not accuse Him of being unjust on the Day of Judgement. He did so because He was fully aware of what you would turn out to be in general i.e. fodder for the Blazing Fire of Hell!”
God is never unjust, especially when dealing with mankind. We do not have the capacity to understand how He functions and works because we are emotional beings, but as the saying goes: “Every dog has its day.” Accountability is an unforgivable process. You may turn to God for forgiveness but those killed or unjustly dealt with will never forgive you. They too will demand their rights.
In concluding, we all need to remind ourselves that we are not God. We do not own the universe. The Sioux Indians have a saying: “One who spits on the earth, spits on himself, because he belongs to the earth. The earth does not belong to him.” [Mokhtar Stork].
