A lot of people ask how can we have free will and freedom of choice if Allah has all knowledge and he knows what we are going to do?
Wa lilahi al mathalol a'laa
And to Allah is the greatest of examples.

Looking at Chapter 18: Al-Kahf, Verses: 65 — 70, 78, 82:
Why did Musa not act differently if Khidr told him the end result? How did Khidr know what the outcome of his interaction with Musa was going to be? Of course, the simple answer to this is that Allah endowed him with this knowledge. However, reflecting on the amazing interaction between Khidr and Musa. Khidr said from the beginning to Musa, you will not be patient. Musa replied that he would be patient. Khidr replies how do you know how you will act with something you do not have knowledge of. Musa then responds over and over again throughout his interactions with Khidr that he will be patient and not disobey him. From Musa's point of view he was in control of his own actions. He had free will to continue to ask and react to the situations even though Khidr told him it was going to be difficult and that he would not be patient. Did the knowledge that Khidr had interfere or impact Musa's role or reaction?


Referencing both Chapter 6 : Al-An'aam, Verses: 26 — 32 and Chapter 35 : Faatir, Verses: 37 — 39:
Where Allah clearly states that even with the knowledge that those in hell have if they were dropped back into the world, they would do the same exact thing with their free will and freedom of choice. It is not an acceptable excuse to say I did not know or I did not have long enough to pass the test. The knowledge that those in hell have as they are being punished, would not change their choices if they to return to earth, Allah says it is is a lie for them to think that way. Allah is the truth and what he has sent with the messengers is the truth.

Going back to Chapter 18 : Al-Kahf, Verses: 65 — 70, 78, 82:
SubhanaAllah even though Khidr told him directly, Musa freely made the choices that led to the outcome he was told about. So with Allah is the highest and greatest example, think about our role in the decisions we make. Allah has full knowledge of everything and he tells us directly in the Quran what is the outcome. Does that force what people choose to do directly?

With Allah ultimate knowledge and he knows everything about us with all knowledge of everything as the creator. Isn't the similitude mind blowing?

The above reflection adds to the example of a teacher Wa lilahi al mathalol a'laa. A teacher can usually tell if someone will pass or fail their final exam and class. This is based on the effort, the character, the work put in, etc. Because the teacher designed the course they know how students will interact. The teacher has a sense of which students will pass and which will fail. This is without even creation or real knowledge of those human beings, just on a given course.

The last point of similar reflection is if you are standing on the 30th floor of a building Wa lilahi al mathalol a'laa. You can see a car speeding down the road, on the other end of the street you see a ball rolling into the street with a child running behind. From the perspective of being above you can see that the distracted driver will hit the child with the car. You are not controlling either the driver of the car or the child running in the street. They each are making choices that are not controlled by you on that 30th floor. This is all within your limited knowledge that is confined in time and space.

Reflecting on the story of Khidr and Musa, the example of a teacher’s knowledge of their students, and the person standing on the building it is all linear in knowledge of the Human level.  Now compare that to the knowledge of Allah The Creator of the Human being, the heavens, and the earth as well as of time and space. The tenses in the Quran are not by happenstance, for Allah time is a creation as well. Past, Present, and Future, are known to him and not different things For Allah is Above and Greater than All things.  Allah has full knowledge which is the truth, the creation smaller than the atom to the vastness of the heavens and the universe.

Brother Ibrahim, Ma Sha Allah, I’ve never understood it this good before. SubhanAllah. 
May Allah benefit us from that which He SWT has taught us, and teach us that which will benefit us, and increase us in knowledge.

Jazak Allah Khair for sharing this profound reflection! Looking forward for more!! 

Introduction to the Sections
1-5: Allah created the heaven and earth but the non-believers call others equal to Allah:
* 1-3 Praise to the Almighty and Omniscient creator
* 4-5 The willful disbelief of the Makkan infidels.

6 - 11: Allah’s punishment came upon those who denied the truth: 
* 7-9 If Allah had sent a written Book and an angel with it the unbelievers still would not have believed
* 10-11 Previous nations were punished for their disbelief.

12- 73: Rebuking of Idolators and their conditions on the day of judgement :
* 12 - 18: The Prophet (SAW) has been commanded to never be a polytheist.
* 19 - 20: Those who deny the Hereafter they are the real losers. 
* 21 - 32: Prejudice has made the people worship deities other than Allah
* 33 - 35: Consolation of the Prophet 
* 36 - 41 Those who listen will accept the Truth and use common sense to learn from the signs of nature. Even Idolaters will call upon God in their distress 
* 42 - 45 Prosperity in this world is not a reward but a respite
* 46-70 The decree of Allah, his majesty, power and might. Allah is the Final judge, the knower of the unseen and He will decide the destiny of the individuals or nations
* 71-73: Believers are commanded to establish Salah and to fear Allah alone

74-90: Prophet Ibrahim's arguments against Shirk
* 74 - 79 Ibrahim (AS) learned faith through the study of nature.
* 80 - 82 Arguments of Ibrahim(AS) with his people about Allah
* 83 - 90 The Prophets who succeeded Ibrahim (AS) including Musa, Isa and Muhammad, gave the message of Tawhid and Radical Skepticism of the people (87)

91 - 100 Allah's signs in the creation.
* 91-93 Allah is the One Who revealed the Taurat and Al-Quran. The fate of those who forge Scriptures is stated.
* 94 Idolaters deserted by their gods on the day of judgment
* 95 - 100 Examples from Allah's creation are clearly spelled out for the understanding of mankind

101 - 107: Allah has no partner, no son: How could Allah have a son without a spouse? Allah’s favour in sending the Quran.

108-115: Arrogance of the non-believers and their opposition to the Prophets.
* 108 - 110 Do not insult the deities to whom the Mushrikin offer their worship and that Guidance depend on the attitude of individuals
* 111-117 All Rasools of Allah had opposition from Shaitan and his followers & Radical skepticism (following the majority might mislead you from true guidance). The Scriptures are from Allah revealed in truth and None can alter the Qur’an. 

118-121 Law of permitted and forbidden meats:
* Allah's gifts for humanity and people's self-imposed prohibitions.
* Eat only that meat on which Allah's name has been pronounced

122-135 Guidance & Misguidance
* 122 - 124 Allah gives light (guidance) to whom he wills out of mercy. When good and bad are treated alike, criminals are appointed as their ringleaders
* 125 - 127 The blessedness of the faithful: Whomever Allah wants to guide, He opens up his chest to Islam
* 128 - 129 Jinns, and human beings who are misled by them, will all be cast into Hell
* 130 - 135: On the Day of Judgement kafirs (unbelievers) will confess that they were indeed kafirs. Rewards and punishments shall be according to actions

136 - 140 Mushrikin give their deities preference over Allah and Mushrikin falsely attribute their self-imposed prohibitions to Allah

141-147: The law concerning forbidden meats rehearsed 
* 141 - 142 Give Zakah of agriculture on the harvest day
* 143 - 144 Falsely attributed prohibition of livestock are clarified
* 145 - 147 Correct prohibitions of livestock are spelled out and Explanation of why live stock was prohibited on the Jews

148 - 150 Mushrikin' excuse for being Mushrikin
151-152 The 10 Islamic commandments. In Islam forbidden things are based on fundamental moral principles 
153 - 160 Those who divide the religion into sects are not Muslims
161 - 165 Affirmation of the nature of life in this world as a trial, a continuous test, from beginning to end. 
* Islam is the true religion (Insistance upon the Straight path)
* Universal principles of Islam: Our prayer, sacrifice, life, death, everything must be for Allah. The idolaters exhorted to believe in God

Basic Themes: 
1. Unity of Allah is the reality in this universe.
2. Polytheism has no foundation.
3. Prophet Ibrahim -peace be upon him- preached Tawhid.  Other Prophets also gave the same message.
4. Allah's judgment will come and the truth will prevail.
5. Allah gives right the guidance about food and other matters of life.
6. The will of Allah (He guide those that seek guidance and mislead those that seek misguidance)

6: Surah al-An'am (Livestock)

* 6th Surah according to the arrangement of the Qur'an; 55th according to the order of revelation.  
* Verses: 165 verses .
* It was revealed in Makkah about 1 or 2 years before the Hijrah. 
* High emphasis on Tawhid (Creed).  It contains basic principles of Tawhid.  It gives beautiful description of Allah's creative power.  It criticizes Shirk and its manifestations.

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