Analyzing Life Events Based on Divine Providence and Human Free Will in Nahj al-Balagha

The relationship between divine providence and human free will has always been among the most foundational and challenging themes in Islamic theology. This article, through an analytical-critical approach, explores the integration of these two concepts in Nahj al-Balagha and argues that Imam Ali presents a dialectical and balanced vision of their interrelation. Contrary to deterministic or libertarian perspectives, Imam Ali views divine will as a wise and encompassing framework within which human choice attains meaning. A semantic analysis of the terms mashīʾa (divine will) and ikhtiyār (free will) in classical theological and lexical sources offers a clearer understanding of his perspective. According to Imam Ali, while human will is not absolute, it remains real and accountable, forming the basis of moral responsibility and religious obligation. Through a detailed examination of sermons and letters in Nahj al-Balagha, this article demonstrates how Imam Ali distinguishes between mashīʾa in the ontological realm and ikhtiyār in the moral-legal realm, thereby offering a Shi‘a-based resolution to the classical dilemma of predestination and free will. Ultimately, the study emphasizes that belief in divine providence alongside human free will not only fosters inner peace and trust in God on the personal level but also cultivates responsibility, justice-seeking, and ethical conduct in collective life.