Freedom of will
The Muslim scholars enriched philosophy of dialectics and rationalism towards the close of the Abbaside dynasty. Al-Mamun, during his caliphate (813 to 833 A.D.) was the ardent patron of the doctrine, which, however, did not last long due to the oppositions from the different quarters including Imam Ahmad-bin-Hambal.
When Hazrat Adam (AS) said to Allah: I am giving 60 years to Daud from my account, Allah said: It is the matter between you two. This Hadith defends the right to ‘free will.’
Even when Angels differed with Allah’s plan of sending His Viceroy in the earth, Allah did not summon explanation from them, nor censured. In fact Verse No. 2/30 established every man’s right to submit his own opinion about a proposal of his superior.
Abbaside Caliph Harun-or-Rashid told his Chief Justice Imam Abu Yusuf to write a book on jurisprudence, but Yusuf wrote on land policy in Islam. Even after this, the Caliph retained him as the Chief Justice.
At the time of departure, the Prophet Muhammad (SM) asked Muaz-bin-Jabal, newly appointed governor of Yemen, as to how would he administer? He said: I shall exercise my wisdom to settle a matter if there is no solution in the Quran and your traditions. The Prophet patted his back and said: Let it be the model of administration through out the world.
In fact, Islam is a religion of dialectics and rationalism. That is why Allah says in the Quran, Verse No. 16/125, “Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and debate with them in the best matter.” Now let us use this verse as weapon against those, who misconstrue the Quran, the infidels, the idolatries, the IS Militia, the secularists, Al Qaeda, the likes or even the fatalists.
Ameer Hamzah
Dhaka
