New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Human responsibility and freedom

I can explain what belief in predestination is and how this can relate to the idea of human freedom in Islam.

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New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Human responsibility and freedom

I can explain what belief in predestination is and how this can relate to the idea of human freedom in Islam.

Link copied to clipboard

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Many Muslims believe that Allah is both ominpotent and omniscient.
  2. Many Muslims believe that human actions are Allah's will, and are predestined.
  3. Muslims also believe humans have free will.
  4. Humans are repsonsible for their actions, freely chosen, on the Day of Judgement.

Keywords

  • Free will - being able to choose between different actions

  • Omnipotent - Allah is all powerful

  • Omniscient - Allah is all knowing

  • Predestination - Allah has pre-decided everything that happens

  • Responsibility - free will makes humans accountable for their deeds

Common misconception

That all Muslims believe all actions are predestined.

Whilst most Muslims believe that some events and actions are predestined, there is a diversity of opinion on this within Islam.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Human responsibility and freedom, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Teachers and students can further explore the debates around predestination and free will in Islam through researching the Mutazilite and Asharite schools of thought who developed Islamic philosophical answers to this question.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Souls are questioned in Barzakh until the they are resurrected.
Correct Answer: day, Day
Q2.
Some Muslims believe angels are present at of important Muslims.
Correct Answer: shrines, Shrines
Q3.
What is the meaning of the term ‘Barzakh’ in Islam?
a place of punishment
a form of paradise
Correct answer: a barrier between death and resurrection
Q4.
Which group of Muslims is more likely to believe in free will over predestination?
Correct answer: Shi’a Muslims
Mutazilites
only prophets
Q5.
What role do angels play in Barzakh?
Correct answer: they question souls
they build the shrines
they destroy the soul’s body
Q6.
Why do some Sunni Muslims not visit shrines?
They do not believe in angels.
Correct answer: They believe worship should only be directed to Allah.
Shrines are too far away.

6 Questions

Q1.
Some Muslims believe humans are to choose their actions, even though Allah knows the outcome.
Correct Answer: free, Free
Q2.
Muslims believe Allah is all (omnipotent), meaning He is in control of everything that happens.
Correct Answer: powerful, Powerful
Q3.
What do Muslims mean when they say Allah is omniscient?
He created angels
Correct answer: He knows everything
He gives humans power
Q4.
Which belief helps Muslims feel reassured about the future?
free will
worship at shrines
Correct answer: predestination
Q5.
How do many Muslims describe the balance between free will and predestination?
Correct answer: Allah knows all but humans choose.
Only prophets have free will.
People control their fate entirely.
Q6.
Why is the phrase “insha’Allah” used by Muslims?
to ask for forgiveness
Correct answer: to show trust in Allah’s plan
to reject predestination