Through Force or Faith? — Page 231
Chapter 5 — Faith and Reason: Islamic Perspective 231 where Ibn H azm has said that God’s acts are in conflict with or beyond common sense and reason. Issue of Volition and Predetermination 1 If we take a broad look at the relevant injunctions of the Holy Quran in this context, the whole matter become quite clear. God says: َو ْوَل َءٓاَش ُهّٰللا ْمُكَلَعَجَل ًةَّمُا ًةَدِحاَّو َّو ْنِكٰل ْمُكَوُلْبَيِّل ْيِف ۤاَم ْمُكىٰتٰا اوُقِبَتْساَف ِتٰرْيَخْلا … And if Allah had enforced His will, He would have made you all one people, but He wishes to try you by that which He has given you. Vie then with one another in doing good works ( S u rah al-M a ’idah, 5:49). God’s intent is explained clearly by this verse; that is, God does not coerce any human to follow a religion, instead, He desires to try man. This point is defined as the very purpose of the creation of Heaven and Earth, ْمُكَوُلْبَيِل ْمُكُّيَا ُنَسْحَا اًلَمَع … that He might prove you to show which of you is best in conduct. … ( S u rah H u d, 11:8) 1. Rodwell writes in his translation of the Holy Quran that it is evident from 2:196 that Islam instructs free will. (Rodwell, The Koran, London, 1966, Footnote to 2:196.