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Introduction Therefore, the innovation of this
The discussion of human free will is one research lies in presenting a functionalist
of the significant issues in the field of analysis of Imam Ali’s theory of free
anthropology, which is also related to will in human lifestyle and progress.
theological debates and interconnected Theoretical Foundations
with many topics in Islamic sciences and The first step in explaining and
disciplines. Human existence has various analyzing human free will is to clarify
dimensions, some of which pertain to its concept and other related terms.
knowledge and others to abilities and Therefore, we explain the main and
inclinations; human intellect and free will related concepts as follows:
fall within the domain of abilities.
The analysis of the issues of divine Jabr (Determinism)
power, free will, and divine will, and In linguistic terms, ‘Jabr’ refers to
consequently human power and free compelling a person to act as a force and
will, has been among the first theological threat (Fayūmī, 1993, Vol. 1, p. 89).
disputes among different Islamic sects. In technical terms, various approaches
Determinists emphasized that God’s to the meaning of ‘Jabr’ have been
power and will are intrinsic, eternal, and presented, but the common and general
not motivated by any purpose and that definition can be considered the same as
the actions performed by humans the linguistic meaning. This means that a
originate from God and are brought compelled person is someone who is
about by His power and will. In contrast, forced to act by another agent. Sheikh
the Mu’tazilites considered divine will to Mufid defines ‘Jabr’ as, “Jabr is the
be contingent and explained God’s compulsion to act and the necessity to do
actions as purposeful, defending and so through coercion and dominance, and
explaining divine justice by attributing its reality is the creation of the act in the
human actions to human will and power. creature without them having the ability
This paper aims to provide a to prevent it or avoid its existence in
functionalist analysis of free will in them” (Mufīd, 1992, p. 46).
lifestyle from the perspective of Imam Ali This agent can be an external factor,
and addresses two subsidiary questions: such as compelling a weak person to act
by a dominant person through threats and
• How does Imam Ali depict and
explain the relationship between coercion, or it can be related to internal
determinism and free will? factors. Jurjani also defines ‘Jabr’ as the
• What impact does Imam Ali’s negation of action from humans and
explanation of free will have on attributing it to God (Jurjānī, 1991, p. 33).
human lifestyle?
