Does God Have an Opinion on All My Life Decisions?

The question, "Does God have an opinion on all my life decisions?" is one of the most profound and fundamental inquiries within a monotheistic worldview, particularly in Islam. It delves into the intricate relationship between humanity and its Creator, the concept of divine will, and human free will. In short, yes, Allah (God) has complete knowledge and awareness of everything that transpires in existence, including all our decisions, even the most minor ones. However, this divine knowledge and awareness do not negate human free will or imply a deterministic pre-ordination of every single detail of life. To better understand this, we need to consider several key aspects of Quranic and Islamic teachings: **1. God's Absolute Knowledge (Ilm Al-Ghayb wa Ash-Shahadah):** The Holy Quran unequivocally emphasizes God's comprehensive and infinite knowledge. Nothing in the heavens or on Earth, whether apparent or hidden, is concealed from His knowledge. Allah is aware of every thought that crosses a human mind, every intention that forms in their heart, and every action they undertake. Even the smallest particles and occurrences in the universe are not hidden from His sight. Surah Al-An'am (The Cattle), verse 59, beautifully illustrates this absolute knowledge: “And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is in the land and sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth or [anything] fresh or dry but that it is in a clear register.” This verse demonstrates that God's knowledge is so immense that He is aware even of a single leaf falling from a tree. How, then, could our significant and minor life decisions be hidden from His knowledge? This knowledge forms the basis of God's "opinion" on all our decisions, but it is not a dictation of them. God is aware of all choices and their potential outcomes, even before we make them, but this foreknowledge does not negate our free will. **2. Human Free Will and Choice (Ikhtiyar):** Alongside God's absolute knowledge, the Quran repeatedly emphasizes human free will and agency. Humankind is a being endowed with the ability to choose between good and evil, right and wrong, and various paths in life. This free will is what makes humans accountable for their actions and forms the basis for reward and punishment in the afterlife. If humans were not endowed with free will, divine justice regarding recompense and punishment would be meaningless. God has shown the path of guidance and has also clarified the path of misguidance, and it is up to the human being to choose either. Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave), verse 29, explicitly states: “And say, 'The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve.'” This verse clearly indicates that even on such a crucial matter as faith and disbelief, the choice rests with the individual. This free will extends to daily life decisions as well. God does not compel us to do anything but illuminates the paths for us and grants us the power of discernment and choice. This ability to choose places the burden of responsibility on humans, guiding them towards conscious thought and deliberate action. **3. Divine Guidance and General Frameworks:** God's "opinion" on our life decisions manifests more in the form of general guidance, ethical principles, and religious laws rather than specific intervention in every choice. Through His divine books and prophets, God has shown us the path of truth and falsehood. He has specified what is lawful (halal) and unlawful (haram), introduced virtues and vices, and set frameworks for a prosperous life that aligns with the divine natural disposition (fitra). For example, God has commanded truthfulness, trustworthiness, kindness to parents, and avoidance of oppression and falsehood. These are God's general "opinions" that should form the basis of all our decisions. When we are hesitant between two paths or two decisions, God's "opinion" is which one is closer to justice, piety, and His pleasure. These choices are made relying on intellect, consulting with wise individuals, and ultimately, trusting in God (tawakkul). Thus, instead of dictating our every move, God has provided a system of principles and values to assist us on the right path. **4. Trust in God (Tawakkul) and Acceptance of Destiny:** After a person has made a decision based on their free will and exerted all necessary efforts, they enter the stage of trusting in God (Tawakkul). This means that one entrusts the outcome of their actions to God, knowing that God will ordain what is best for them, even if the apparent outcome is not what they desired. Surah At-Talaq (The Divorce), verse 3, states: “And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.” This verse indicates that tawakkul does not mean abrogating responsibility or ceasing effort; rather, it means believing in God's power and wisdom after fulfilling one's duty. This understanding brings tranquility to the human heart and frees them from unnecessary worries, as they know that whatever happens falls within the scope of God's knowledge and overall will. **5. Divine Decree (Qada wal-Qadar):** The concept of divine decree (Qada wal-Qadar) is also relevant here. Qada wal-Qadar refers to God's overall plan for existence and His knowledge of all details and outcomes. This does not mean that God compels us in a deterministic way but rather that from the beginning of creation, with His absolute knowledge, He has known all possibilities and outcomes of our actions and decisions, and has recorded them in His Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz). Within the framework of this general Qada wal-Qadar, humans possess free will. We choose the path, and God knows the outcome of that choice. In essence, every choice we make falls within the scope of His knowledge and overall will. These two concepts (free will and Qada wal-Qadar) may seem contradictory, but in reality, they are complementary, expressing God's boundless wisdom and justice. God knows what we will choose, but His knowledge does not force us into that choice. **Conclusion:** Therefore, the answer to this question is a conditional "yes." Yes, God has an "opinion" on all our life decisions, but this "opinion" refers to His absolute knowledge of all our decisions, His general guidance through religion, and His establishment of ethical and legal frameworks for us. He does not force us into any action; rather, by granting us intellect, prophets, and divine books, He has illuminated the path for us to make the best decisions. The responsibility for the final choice rests with us, but these choices should be made in line with God's pleasure, ethical principles, and with reliance upon Him. A believing life means continually striving to align our decisions with God's general "opinion" as manifested in His religious teachings, and after effort and deliberation, entrusting the outcomes to Him. This perspective not only does not absolve us of responsibility but places the burden of conscious choices on the human, leading them towards growth and perfection, and assuring them that at every step, God is watching and aware.