ভূমিকা
Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Shi'ite Encyclopedia (chapter 9) Why Believe in God The Shiats say: Man is obliged by his reason to know God, and to obey His commands. In other words, necessity of religion is proved, first of all, by reason. Sunni scholars say it is necessary to believe in Allah, but not on the account of reason. It is necessary because Allah has ordered us to know Him. According to the Shi'ite point of view, this type of proof creates vicious circle. Believe in God.
why? Because God has ordered it. But we do not know who God is. Why should we obey Him? LIMIT OF LAW The Shiats say: God cannot give us a command beyond our strength, because it is wrong rationally (La Yokalleffollaho nafsan illa vosaaha). Some Sunni scholars do not agree with it. OUR ACTIONS: TAQDIR Are our actions really ours? Or we are just a tool in the hands of Allah!
Shia scholars say: "Taqdir means that, Allah possesses foreknowledge of human action, but He does not compel anybody to act in any particular way" Shi'i reference: Shi'ite Creed (al-Itqadat al-Imamiyyah), by Shaykh Saduq The above quote gives evidence to the fact that according to Shia, human has option either to obey God's rules, or disobey.
To make it clear, it should be explained here, that man's conditions or actions are of two kinds (i) Those actions about which he can be advised, ordered, praised or blamed. Such actions are within his power and are dependent upon his will. (ii) Such conditions about which he cannot be praised or blamed, like life, death, etc. Such conditions are outside of his sphere of will or power.
For example, we can advise a patient to consult this or that doctor and remain under his treatment; but we can not advise him to become cured. Why this difference? Because getting treatment is under his power, but getting cured is not in his power. It is something which comes from Allah. Freedom of action is a gift of Allah. He has given us power, freedom, strength, limbs, wisdom and everything with which we do any work.
Therefore, we are not independent of Allah, because our freedom is not only given but even sustained by Him. However our actions are not compelled by God, because He, after His showing us the right and wrong ways, and after His encouraging us to do right, has left us to our own free will. If we go wrong, it is our own choice.