The Role of Obedience to and Rebellion Against God in Achieving Human Perfection or Downfall
Have you ever considered that every decision you make is not just a simple choice, but a part of path that shapes your destiny? In a world full of voices, temptations, and calls, we constantly have two options to choose from: obedience to or rebellion against; choosing between God or Satan. But before we determine which option is better, we must understand the role of free will in selecting one of these choices. This article explores three important concepts: free will, obedience, and rebellion.
Free will is the most important characteristics of human being and the foundation of his responsibility. God has created humans with free will and has given them responsibility so that they can choose one of the paths in front of them. Free will as a divine gift enables us to consciously choose between good and evil. The way we use free will determines the course of our lives.
Free will as an inherent ability is good when coexists with thought and reason; in this case, it helps us select the best path to reach the purpose of our creation. In Islamic thought, free will is a divine trust for which humans are responsible and accountable. This characteristic of free will make us take responsibility, accept duties, be rewarded or punished. Without free will, humans cannot achieve their ultimate perfection.
Free will is always accompanied by two key concepts: obedience and rebellion. Whenever there are paths before us, we are free to choose between obedience and rebellion; however, depending on whom or what we obey or rebel against, we will experience different outcomes. For example, being obedient to God and noble human values lead us to happiness and help us to achieve perfection, while rebellion against truth and justice diverts us from this path and misguides us. Similarly, obedience to and rebellion against Satan and choosing the path of falsehood also yield different results.
Questions about the concepts of free will, obedience, and rebellion may occupy our minds, such as:
• How much free will does a person have, and what limits do they face?
• What are the effects and blessings of obeying God in daily life?
• What are the consequences of rebelling against God?
• What are the results of obedience to or rebellion against Satan?
Examining the Concepts and Effects of Free Will, Obedience to God or Satan and, Rebellion Against God and Satan
Before delving into the concept of free will and the types of obedience and rebellion, we must define these terms. A proper understanding of these concepts allows us to use our free will in a way that leads to peace, spiritual growth, and perfection.
Free will is the ability to choose freely and consciously; it is a gift from God to human beings. This ability distinguishes us from other beings and make us God’s deputy on earth. The important point about free will is that it has limitations. We do not have an absolute free will; free will is constrained by certain frameworks defined by reason, Islamic religious law and social norms. Some of these limitations include:
• Existential (Natural) Limitations: Physical, biological, cognitive, emotional, and temporal constraints that we face due to our nature; for example, we cannot move at the speed of light because the laws of physics do not allow us to do it.
• Islamic Religious law’s Limitations: Adhering to divine laws and commands established for our animal dimension, conveyed us through revelation and tradition.
• Social Limitations: Respecting the rights and freedoms of others and adhering to social laws and regulations.
A proper understanding of human truth helps us realize that these limitations do not strip us of freedom; rather, they guide us in the right path. Another point about free will as divine gift places a heavy responsibility on our shoulders. We are responsible for our decisions and actions and their consequences. This responsibility fosters our personal and social growth.
Obedience to or Rebellion Against God
Obeying God means consciously submitting to and following divine commands in all aspects of life. This act helps us build a close and satisfying relationship with God, bringing us closer to His mercy and blessings. If we were to define obedience mathematically, it would be a straight line leading to perfection and happiness.
Obedience is not merely an outward act; it is a heartfelt and spiritual state rooted in faith and love for God. In the end, our outward obedience should make our limbs, organs and hearts submit to God. Obedience to God has numerous effects; knowing these effects encourages us to choose the path of obedience without hesitation when we must choose between two options i.e., obedience and rebellion.
Rebellion against God means defying divine commands and choosing a deviant path contrary to God’s satisfaction. Rebellion against God is like disrupting the order of a well-structured system, causing chaos and disorder within the soul. The human soul, mathematically, is created in such a way that it finds peace only by following the path of truth and obeying God. Rebellion against God disturbs the soul’s balance, leading to destruction and misery. To deeply grasp such consequences, we must understand our true selves. God describes all humans as destined for loss, except for those who believe and choose the path of obedience [1].
Obedience to God and Rebellion Against Satan
Satan, as human beings’ sworn enemy, constantly seeks to divert us from the path of truth [2]. In confronting Satan, we have the choice to choose between the path of obedience and path of rebellion. Obeying Satan means disregarding moral principles and following lower desires. Rebellion against Satan involves resisting lower desires and rejecting Satan’s temptations. Rebellion against Satan requires awareness and strong will, resulting in the strengthening of faith, spiritual growth, and closeness to God. Choosing any of two options i.e., obedience to or rebellion against Satan has specific outcomes. Being aware of these outcomes helps us use our free will to choose the right path.
Misconception Regarding Free Will, Obedience, and Rebellion
- First Misconception: If God has predetermined everything, then humans are compelled to choose someone or something. So, obedience and rebellion have no meaning!
In Islamic philosophy, there is a view called “Amr bayn al-amrayn” (position between two positions). According to this view, neither determinism is true nor absolute free will. Humans, while influenced by various factors, also have relative free will. God has eternal knowledge. He knows what choices humans will make, but divine knowledge does not get in the way of human free will and making a choice between obedience and rebellion.
- Second Misconception: If God is just, why does He allow humans to rebel and commit sin?
God has granted humans free will to test them and actualize their potentials. Rebellion against God and committing sin provide an opportunity for repentance and returning to God.
- Third Misconception: Does obeying divine commands and laws conflict with human freedom and free will?
Obeying divine commands and just laws does not conflict with human freedom; rather, it fosters spiritual growth and elevate the human being to a higher level. Obeying God frees us from the bondage of lower desires, granting us true freedom.
In this lesson, we examined the concept of free will and the two paths before the human being: obedience to or rebellion against God or Satan, along with their effects. Free will, as a divine trust, holds us accountable for our decisions. Making the right choice leads to happiness and perfection, while the wrong choice leads to destruction and misery. Having a proper understanding of ourselves, God, and Satan, being aware of the concepts of obedience and rebellion, and using free will in a correct way, are keys to achieving happiness and peace in this life and the hereafter. The most intelligent servants of God are those who take the opportunity given by God to make the best decision so that they draw closer to Him and achieve the purpose of creation.
So far, we understood that making choice is the simplest yet most important ability granted to the human beings. However, this ability is only meaningful when we know it. Now that we understand the difference between obeying God and rebelling against Him, as well as the relationship between humans and rebellion against Satan, it is time to explore the results. In the next lesson, we will see how these choices impact our lives, souls, and destinies.
References
[1]. Quran, 103:2;3
[2]. Quran, 7:16