Muslim ibn Yasar al-Juhani said: When Umar ibn al-Khattab was asked about the verse "When your Lord took their offspring from the backs of the children of Adam" - al-Qa'nabi recited the verse--he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say when he was questioned about it: Allah created Adam, then passed His right hand over his back, and brought forth from it his offspring, saying: I have these for Paradise and these will do the deeds of those who go to Paradise. He then passed His hand over his back and brought forth from it his offspring, saying: I have created these for Hell, and they will do the deeds of those who go to Hell.
A man asked: What is the good of doing anything, Messenger of Allah? The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When Allah creates a servant for Paradise, He employs him in doing the deeds of those who will go to Paradise, so that his final action before death is one of the deeds of those who go to Paradise, for which He will bring him into Paradise. But when He creates a servant for Hell, He employs him in doing the deeds of those who will go to Hell, so that his final action before death is one of the deeds of those who go to Hell, for which He will bring him into Hell.
Hadith Commentary: Divine Decree and Human Action
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 4703 addresses the profound matter of divine decree (al-qadr) and human responsibility, a cornerstone of Islamic creed from the Book "Model Behavior of the Prophet (Kitab Al-Sunnah)".
The Covenant of Allegiance
The hadith explains Allah's taking covenant from Adam's progeny before their earthly existence. Scholars interpret this as a metaphysical event where human souls acknowledged Allah's Lordship, establishing humanity's innate disposition (fitrah) toward recognizing its Creator.
Divine Knowledge and Human Destiny
Allah's foreknowledge of who enters Paradise or Hell does not negate human free will. Classical scholars emphasize that Allah's knowledge encompasses what creatures will choose through their own volition. The divine decree operates within the framework of human choice and action.
The Relationship Between End and Means
The Prophet's response clarifies that divine decree manifests through the means and actions leading to predetermined ends. Those destined for Paradise are guided to righteous deeds, while those destined for Hell are left to their corrupt choices, with both groups earning their ultimate abode through their voluntary actions.
Scholarly Perspective on Free Will
Traditional scholars maintain that humans possess genuine choice (ikhtiyar) and are accountable for their actions. Divine decree is the framework within which human will operates, not a compulsion that negates responsibility. The ultimate outcome aligns with both Allah's eternal knowledge and human moral agency.