Generally speaking, free will means that a person is able to choose what actions they wish to do on their own. From an Islamic point of view, Allah Almighty has given humanity the ability to choose between right and wrong, truth and falsehood, and whether to believe in Him or to disbelieve. He created mankind as intelligent beings – unique among all of His creations – who are capable of making their own decisions. All of His creation is obedient and submissive to Him without any alternative – except for humans (and djinn), who are granted the free will to choose their own path, as mentioned in the Qur’an.

“Do they not contemplate within themselves? Allah has not created the heavens and the earth and what is between them except in truth and for a specified term. And indeed, many of the people, in [the matter of] the meeting with their Lord, are disbelievers”. Surah Rum, chapter 30, verse, 8.

We, as humans, are the most beloved of creation to Allah if we willingly obey him and He has raised us to the highest of ranks as mentioned in the Qur’an;

“We have certainly created man in the best of stature Then We return him to the lowest of the low, Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward uninterrupted.  So, what yet causes you to deny the Recompense?  “Is not Allah the most just of judges?” Surah Teen, chapter, 95, verse,4- 8. 

If someone wishes to be a believer; a righteous, truthful person, that is their own choice. If a person wants to be a transgressor or a disbeliever, that is also their own choice. No one can be forced to follow Islam nor can one be forced to follow the teachings of the Qur’an and of the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

• And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe, and whoever wills - let him disbelieve…." Surah Kahf, chapter 18, verse 29.
• There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So, whoever disbelieves in Taghut (false gods) and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing. Surah Baqarah, chapter 2, verse 256. 

It is important to understand here that there are matters decreed by Allah Almighty in which we have no choice or free will, for example when we are born, when we die, our appearances, blessings or calamities – these things are not in our control. Then there are matters in which we have a choice, such as what we eat, where we go, the beliefs we choose to hold, how we behave, the decisions we make, the deeds we do – most often while being aware of what is right and wrong. Whatever we choose is known to Allah from beforehand through His all-encompassing knowledge and it is up to Him whether He allows our choices to materialize or not because His will is superior to our will and He decides what takes place in the heavens and the earth. Moreover, God exists beyond space-time, all is encompassed by His vision while we struggle to see beyond a certain limit because what we, as humans, can perceive is confined within the framework of space-time – or rather, it is confined within just a portion of that.

With choice comes accountability. The intellect and free will gave to humans can be used in a good way or a bad way, and they will be judged according to the choices they make as mentioned in the Qur’an;

• “And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs - those will be companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally." Surah Baqarah, chapter 2, verse, 39.
• “Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds” Surah Kahf, chapter 18. Verse, 30.

This is the basic understanding of free will according to Islam. Allah knows best. May Allah guide us.