Dr Zakir Naik explains concept of 'free will' and 'predestination' to Yashma Gill

Renowned Islamic scholar Dr Zakir Naik has assisted Pakistani actress Yashma Gill with the concepts of 'free will' and 'predestination' in Islam during an event held at the Governor House, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Sunday.

According to the channel report, the event took place on October 5, as part of Dr Naik's ongoing tour of Pakistan, drawing a large audience eager to engage with the scholar.

Dr Zakir Naik and his son were warmly welcomed by Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori. The event commences with the national anthem followed by a recitation from the Quran. Dr. Naik delivered a lecture on the theme, "What is the Purpose of Our Lives?" before initiating a question-and-answer session with attendees.

As the Q&A session began, Pakistani actress Yashma Gill stood up and shared her self-journey of returning to faith after experiencing atheism. The star also told Naik it all happened because of his impactful Islamic speeches and video lectures.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK2ywSgrCyE

She inquired about the concept of predestination, asking, "If Allah has already written a person's destiny, what free will do we have? Who is responsible for our choices between right and wrong when we believe that our fate is already determined?"

Responding to her inquiry, Dr Naik first approved that this question often emerges in the minds of many Muslims but only some are courageous enough to ask, others may hesitate due to fears of religious repercussions.

Naik explained with various analogies that Allah possesses knowledge of the unseen due to his superpowers and knows the actions humans will take, but the individuals exercise their free will in making choices. He said: "It is not that humans do what Allah has decreed, but rather that Allah writes what humans will choose to do," he stated, emphasizing God's omniscience regarding the decisions individuals will make at various points in their lives.

Dr. Naik described a person standing at a crossroads with four paths. He explained that while Allah has knowledge of which path the individual will ultimately choose, it is the individual who selects their route based on their own thoughts and decisions.