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A Functionalist Analysis of Free Will and Its Role… A. Mustapha et al (27
This truth is observable in the predestinations and decrees will make
practical conduct of the Commander of decisions and choose more appropriately.
the Faithful, Imam Ali . He was sitting Imam Ali , fled from divine decree
with a group of his companions in the i.e., the death or injury of a person by
shade of a wall. He noticed the wall the wall, towards divine predestination
was crooked and unstable. To prevent which depends on not fleeing and
the wall from collapsing on them, He taking precautions. Therefore, we
stood up and sat under the shade of should not remain indifferent regarding
another wall. One of His companions our health or other matters, as fleeing
told him, “O Commander of the and taking precautions are also among
Faithful, are you fleeing from divine divine predestination. Hence, we must
decree?” The Imam replied, “I seek strive for all good deeds and exercise
refuge in divine predestination from caution in dangerous situations.
divine decree.” (Ibn Bābawayh, 2019) Other infallible Imams have also
The misguided interpretation of that narrated traditions that indicate the close
individual was that if the divine decree relationship between divine predestination
has destined a person’s death, whether and human free will, describing this
they sit under a crooked and unstable relationship as that of the soul and the
wall or a sturdy one, the wall will body. In this respect, Ibn Bābawayh said,
collapse, and death will come. Thus, “Predestination and action are like the soul
moving and making decisions based on and the body. The soul without the body
rational judgment is futile. However, does not move and is not seen, and the
Imam Ali through His actions and body without the soul is a lifeless image.
words, demonstrated the correct When they come together, they become
understanding of divine decree and strong, sound, beautiful, and pleasant.
predestination, teaching that belief in Similarly, if predestination does not align
divine decree not only does not hinder with action, the Creator would not be
human movement and action but also distinguished from the creation, and if an
facilitates and grounds it. action does not conform to predestination,
The collapse of a crooked wall is a it would not proceed and be completed.
divine law and decree, corresponding to But through union, they become strong
the specific condition and predestination and sound, and God aids His righteous
of that wall, namely its crookedness. servants in this.” Then he recited the
However, if the wall has a different following verse, “… but Allah has
characteristic, i.e., if it is sturdy, it will endeared the faith to you and has made
follow a different law and decree. A it seemly in your hearts…”(The Qur’an,
person who understands these two 49: 7).
