Belief and disbelief depend on individual choices, influenced by will and various social, familial, and experiential conditions.
The acceptance of faith or disbelief in God and religious truths is a complex topic that is addressed in the Quran in various ways. The Quran clearly articulates that belief and disbelief are choices made by individuals and deeply depend on their will and choice. In Surah Al-An'am, verse 125, Allah says: "And whomsoever He wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam; and whomsoever He wills to lead astray, He makes his breast constricted, as if he were ascending in the heavens." This verse clearly states that Allah guides whom He wills and conversely, anyone whom He wills to lead astray will experience a constricted heart. Additionally, in Surah Al-Imran, verse 19, it is mentioned: "Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam." This verse signifies that the only acceptable religion to God is Islam, and having faith in it is essential for gaining His pleasure. Therefore, the faith of individuals depend on factors such as society, family upbringing, knowledge and awareness, and personal experiences. In this regard, some people may find faith in their search for truth, peace, and satisfaction, while others may stray from this path for various reasons.
And whomsoever He wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam; and whomsoever He wills to lead astray, He makes his breast constricted, as if he were ascending in the heavens.
Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.
Once, a young man named Sajjad lived in a neighborhood of the city. He had grown up in a religious family, but during adulthood, he had distanced himself from faith and religion for various reasons. One day, he decided to go to the local mosque and listen to a religious scholar's lecture. After hearing the scholar's words and the Quranic verses about faith and guidance, Sajjad felt that his heart had softened, and he understood the truth of his existence. He decided to embrace faith and change his life. Happily, he told his family: "I want to draw closer to God!" Thus, he began a new journey.