For Allah states in the Quran...

For Allah states in the Quran: “Thy Lord does create and choose as He pleases: no choice have they (in the matter)…” (1) “And We made them Imams, guiding (men) by Our command, and We inspired them to do good deeds, to establish regular prayers, and to give Zakat; and they constantly served Us (and Us only).” (2) And We appointed from among them, Imams, giving guidance under Our command, so long as they persevered with patience and continued to have faith in Our Signs.” (3) [NOTE: In the above two verses, A.Yusuf Ali uses the term “Leaders” instead of “Imams;” however, the Arabic Quran uses the word IMAMS — Check for yourselves.] “And remember that Abraham was tried by his Lord with certain commands, which he fulfilled: He (Allah) said: I will make thee an Imam to the people.

He (Abraham) pleaded: And also (Imams) from my offspring! He (Allah) answered: But My Promise is not within the reach of evil-doers.” (4) So, as we see from the above verses, the matter of Succession (Caliphate) is just like that of Prophethood — People have NO SAY in it. Allah is the One who chose Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, and the rest of the Prophets, Messengers, and Imams; and there’s NOTHING people can do about it.

However, the Free Will component lies in the fact that you AT LIBERTY to believe in or reject ANY Prophet sent to you, as has happened throughout the history of mankind (i.e., some people believed, while others rejected the Prophets.). A true believer will accept Allah’s orders, and attain felicity; while a nonbeliever will reject Allah’s Signs, and suffer the consequences. Indeed, Allah says: “…whosoever follows My guidance, will not lose his way, nor fall into misery.

But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment. He will say: O my Lord! Why hast thou raised me up blind, while I had sight (before)?

(Allah) will say: Thus didst thou, when Our Signs came unto thee, forgot them: so wilt thou, this day, be forgotten.” (5) Now, if we objectively analyze both viewpoints: that of the Sunnis, and that of the Shia, we will discover that the Sunnis’ viewpoint literally holds Allah responsible for EVERYTHING in the Universe, whether it be good or bad. Whereas, the Shia have clearly vindicated Allah from such impurities, and have proved that EACH Soul shall reap what it has sown.