Divine Will and Its Relation with Human Will from Imam Khomeini's Perspective

One of the challenging problems in Islamic thought has been the divine will and its relation with human deeds. It is one of those issues which might have played an important role in the formation of primary theological branches and an issue which has been involved for one reason or another in the discussions of theology, philosophy and even jurisprudence. Imam Khomeini (P. B. U. H.) is one of the scholars who have dealt with this issue. He, as a jurist, philosopher and mystic, discusses this theological issue with a comprehensive view in such a way that his discussions are influenced neither by the restrictions of Motazilite and Asharite theologies nor by the narrow-mindedness of some Shiite theologians. Although he uses Molla Sadra’s principles in his analyses, he considers this issue from a different perspective. He both analyses and critiques Ashaerite’s and Motazele’s views and also shows the problems with some Shiite theologians. Using a philosophical, mystical and narrative perspective, Imam Khomeini further demonstrates that human will is in accordance with divine will.