In Islam, the reconciliation between free will (known as *ikhtiyar*) and divine predestination (known as *qadar*) is a nuanced theological issue. Islam teaches that both exist, but understanding how they coexist requires a balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Here’s how the two concepts are typically reconciled:

### 1. **Divine Predestination (Qadar)**

In Islamic theology, *qadar* refers to the belief that everything that happens in the universe, both good and bad, is part of God’s divine plan. God has knowledge of all things, including the future, and has willed everything that occurs. This encompasses both major events and individual human actions. The idea is that God, being all-knowing and all-powerful, has already determined the course of the universe.

### 2. **Human Free Will (Ikhtiyar)**

Despite God’s overarching control over the universe, Islam holds that humans are endowed with free will to choose their actions. Individuals are accountable for their decisions in this life and are rewarded or punished in the afterlife based on those choices. The Qur’an and Hadith highlight that people are responsible for their deeds and have the capacity to choose between right and wrong (e.g., *”Indeed, this is the Day of Judgment, We have set you free to choose”*, Qur’an 17:13-14).

### 3. **How Free Will and Predestination Coexist**

The key to understanding how *qadar* and *ikhtiyar* coexist lies in the distinction between God’s foreknowledge and human choice:

– **God’s Knowledge vs. Human Action**: God’s knowledge of future events does not force or determine human actions; rather, God’s foreknowledge is simply an awareness of what choices humans will make. Just as a teacher might know how a student will respond to a question, it doesn’t mean the teacher’s knowledge influences the student’s free response. Likewise, God knows the choices people will make but does not compel them to make those choices.

– **Free Will in Context of God’s Will**: Muslims believe that human beings have the freedom to choose their actions, but all actions occur within the framework of God’s ultimate will. The *qadar* is not seen as a restriction on free will but as part of God’s greater wisdom, where everything, even human choices, is part of a divine plan. In this sense, humans are not forced into actions, but everything happens according to God’s will, which includes giving humans the capacity for free choice.

– **Tests and Accountability**: One important aspect of Islamic thought is that life is a test. Human beings are tested with the ability to choose their actions, and they will be judged by God on the basis of these choices. If everything were predetermined in a way that eliminated free will, there would be no real test, and humans would not be morally accountable for their actions.

### 4. **Philosophical and Theological Interpretations**

Different Islamic schools of thought provide varying interpretations of how *qadar* and *ikhtiyar* relate to each other:

– **Ash’ari School**: They emphasize that God’s will is all-encompassing, and human actions are created by God but are “acquired” by humans. This means that while God creates the actions, humans “acquire” them through their intentions, making them accountable.

– **Maturidi School**: They emphasize the idea that humans have the power to make choices within the scope of God’s will, where God’s knowledge and control do not negate human responsibility.

– **Mu’tazili School**: The Mu’tazilis advocate for human free will in a more pronounced way, arguing that humans have absolute freedom in making choices, and God does not predestine human actions.

### Conclusion:

Islamic theology, particularly in mainstream Sunni thought, acknowledges both God’s absolute control over the universe (divine predestination) and human free will. The apparent paradox is resolved by understanding that God’s foreknowledge and decree do not negate human free will. Humans have the ability to choose, but everything happens according to God’s plan, with individuals being accountable for their choices in the hereafter.