---
title: "Divine Will and Human Responsibility: A Lesson from Imam Reza (AS)"
published_at: "2026-04-27"
canonical_url: "https://www.truthpromoters.com/reflections/divine-will-and-human-responsibility-a-lesson-from-imam-reza-as"
type: "reflection"
scripture_reference: "Nahjul Balagha, Saying 25, Section 1"
---

# Divine Will and Human Responsibility: A Lesson from Imam Reza (AS)

Imam Reza (AS) conveyed a profound divine message to humanity, revealing the delicate balance between Allah's omnipotence and human agency. The Almighty declared that by His will, humans can desire whatever they wish, and by His power, they are capable of fulfilling obligatory acts. Yet, the Imam highlighted a sobering truth: by Allah's blessings, humans possess the strength even to disobey Him. This duality underscores that while our abilities are gifts from the Creator, the choices we make remain our own. As the Imam taught, whatever goodness befalls a person is solely from Allah, whereas any harm that reaches them stems from their own actions.

This teaching clarifies the spiritual accountability of every believer. Allah is more entitled to our goodness than we are, for He is the source of all virtue, yet we are more entitled to our own badness, as it arises from our free will.

## Scripture

> وَقَالَ (عليه ‏السلام): يَابْنَ آدَمَ، إِذَا رَأَيْتَ رَبَّكَ سُبْحَانَهُ يُتَابِعُ عَلَيْكَ نِعَمَهُ وَأَنْتَ تَعْصِيهِ فَاحْذَرْهُ.
>
> Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: O son of Adam, when you see that your Lord, the Glorified, bestows His favours on you while you are disobeying Him, you should fear Him.

— *Nahjul Balagha, Saying 25, Section 1*

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