English book · Man’s Search for Truth

Purpose of Man’s Life?

English book, p. 22

By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

viewed in light of the Creator’s creation plan. God did not make this world for the establishment of an ideal state or society. The limitations of this present world and the presence of different disadvantages are concrete barriers that prevent an ideal state or society from being established here. Is Man’s Life Governed by Destiny or Free Will? I am often asked this question: “Is man’s life governed by destiny, or does he have freedom of choice?” The fact is that God has provided the infrastructure to man in the form of a life support system and the different situations that present themselves to man. This is the destiny part of the matter. However, man can respond to all these situations as he likes. In this aspect, he is entirely free. That is his free will or his freedom of choice. Therefore, I say that the matter is 50-50. Destiny plays a 50 per cent role, as man cannot change the infrastructure and situations provided to him. Free will plays the remaining 50 per cent role, as man is entirely free to respond to situations the way he likes. Freedom has opened doors of two kinds for man, one leading to success and the other to failure. If an individual becomes arrogant and insolent, he has misused his freedom and failed to pass the test. But if, on the other hand, he remains modest and humble, bowing to his Lord’s will on all occasions, he will have made the proper use of this God-given freedom: he will, without any compulsion, have bound himself by divine principles. One who chooses this course will succeed in the test of freedom. God will handsomely reward him as no other creature. Held to be the chosen servant of God, he will remain in an everlasting

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