Question No. 3411 2 November 2023 Official answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat) verified Content level: Intermediate

As an act unfolds—from God’s knowledge and will to the servant’s being granted success and accepting it—how should human choice be understood? Is this at odds with “He is the First and the Last”?

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Dear questioner, Master Ali Saei

Tracking code: #Q-3411

The beautiful and profound points you made about the one-sided nature of God Almighty’s love, affection, knowledge, grace, mercy, and so on:
In reality, He is the First and the Last. First comes divine knowledge, will, determination, decree and execution; then the servant is granted success in performing the act, and afterward accepts it of their own accord, and so on.
So there is no room left for pride, self-conceit or arrogance.
Is this understanding correct?

Subject category: Theology and Creed Epistemological

The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)

Your understanding that divine love, affection, knowledge, grace and mercy are one-sided is correct. Every being is a manifestation of God’s will, and that will transcends every perception and state experienced by created beings. It is enough for us to take pride in being God’s servants and creatures: the very fact that He brought us into being is the highest honor, leaving no room for self-conceit or arrogance.

Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)

Teacher and researcher in the intellectual tradition of wisdom and the Ahl al-Bayt | Soroush Bamdadān Cultural Center

In truth, every existent is a manifestation of God’s will. To be God’s will is more complete and transcendent than any state or condition an existent may possess. Whenever we speak of perception, sensation, or states of being, we are in fact trying to interpret the divine will.

The very existence of beings is all they possess in their relationship with God—a relationship that transcends perception, in which the existent plays no part and is simply the object of that relationship.

This is glory and honour enough for us: that we are God’s servants and His creation. Our very being—our having been brought into existence by Him—is the pinnacle of our glory.

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As an act unfolds—from God’s knowledge and will to the servant’s being granted success and accepting it—how should human choice be understood? Is this at odds with “He is the First and the Last”?

The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)

Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)

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