predestination and free will
4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.
Lesson Overview
Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Learning Objectives
- Explain the key ideas of predestination and free will
- Apply predestination and free will to exam-style questions
- Develop independent study skills
- Build cross-topic connections
Prerequisites
- Read the revision notes for predestination and free will first (GCSE Revise summary)
- Key vocab to pre-teach: Exam Tip, UK Context, UK Context
- Basic skills: reading the summary notes and answering the practice questions there
Materials & Equipment
- Exercise book, coloured pens
- Ruler
- Printed revision notes (link below)
- Internet for videos (see Resources)
Lesson 1: Introduction: predestination and free will
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Write down everything you already know about predestination and free will. Then check against the key terms: Exam Tip, UK Context, UK Context. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Exam Tip, UK Context, UK Context.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Exam Tip, UK Context, UK Context.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: predestination and free will. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Religious Studies because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: predestination and free will. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Religious Studies because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look
Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: Explain two Muslim beliefs about predestination and free will.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Check Out
Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about predestination and free will.
Lesson 2: Core Concepts: predestination and free will
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Review Previous Lesson
Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on predestination and free will. Check them against the notes below.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Key Fact: Muslims believe in qadr (predestination) — that Allah has foreknowledge and control over all things. However, most Muslims also believe humans have free will to choose their actions. The relationship between God's decree and human freedom is one of the most debated topics in Islamic theology.
Exam Tip: The key tension: if Allah has already decreed everything, how can humans be responsible for their actions? Most Muslims resolve this by saying Allah's foreknowledge is not the same as forcing — he knows what you will freely choose. You are still responsible.
RS Exam Tips — Predestination and Free Will: 1. For Predestination and Free Will questions, always include specific scriptural or source references where relevant 2. Explain both religious and non-religious viewpoints 3. Use specialist vocabulary precisely (e.g. terms from the specification) 4. Evaluate by analysing strengths and weaknesses of different views before reaching your conclusion 5. Link your discussion of Predestination and Free Will to its real-world impact on believers and society
UK Context: When a British Muslim says ‘insha’Allah’ (‘if Allah wills’) when discussing future plans, they are acknowledging al-qadr — that nothing happens except by Allah’s permission. This does not mean they believe their efforts are pointless; rather, it expresses trust in Allah’s wisdom while still taking responsibility for their actions.
UK Context: The Shi’a emphasis on free will and justice is reflected in their political and social engagement in Britain. Shi’a community organisations such as the Al-Khoei Foundation are active in promoting human rights, social justice and interfaith dialogue, reflecting the belief that Allah requires humans to actively pursue justice.
UK Context: During the COVID-19 pandemic, British Muslim leaders emphasised both qadr and free will: the virus was part of Allah’s decree, but Muslims had a responsibility to follow public health guidelines (social distancing, vaccination) as acts of free will that protected themselves and others.
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Qadr (Predestination) | Allah knows and decrees everything that happens | "Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us" (Surah 9:51) |
| Free Will | Humans have the freedom to choose their actions | "Whoever wills, let him believe; whoever wills, let him disbelieve" (Surah 18:29) |
| Balanced view (most Muslims) | Allah knows everything in advance but humans choose freely | God's knowledge does not force human choice — he knows what we will choose but we still choose it |
Practice (10 minutes)
Q: Explain two Muslim beliefs about predestination and free will.
Answer: 1) Qadr — Muslims believe Allah has decreed all things and has complete knowledge of everything that will happen. Surah 9:51 states "Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us." 2) Free will — most Muslims also believe humans have genuine freedom to choose their actions. Without free will, the Day of Judgement would be unjust, as people cannot be held responsible for actions they were forced to take. The balance: Allah knows what we will choose, but we still choose freely.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Explain Back
Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.
Lesson 3: Application: predestination and free will
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Recall the key terms: Exam Tip, UK Context, UK Context. Define each in one sentence.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.
Q1: Explain two Muslim beliefs about predestination and free will.
Answer: 1) Qadr — Muslims believe Allah has decreed all things and has complete knowledge of everything that will happen. Surah 9:51 states "Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us." 2) Free will — most Muslims also believe humans have genuine freedom to choose their actions. Without free will, the Day of Judgement would be unjust, as people cannot be held responsible for actions they were forced to take. The balance: Allah knows what we will choose, but we still choose freely.
Q2: "If God knows everything, humans do not have free will." Evaluate this statement.
Answer: Some argue that if Allah has complete foreknowledge, human choices are already determined. However, most Muslim scholars distinguish between God's knowledge and God's compulsion — Allah knowing what you will choose does not mean he forces you to choose it. An analogy: a teacher may know a student will fail an exam, but the student still freely chooses not to revise. For Muslims, belief in both qadr and free will is essential — qadr gives trust in Allah's plan, while free will gives moral responsibility.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Error Review
Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.
Lesson 4: Exam Practice: predestination and free will
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Command Words
Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).
Main Content (35 minutes)
Exam-Style Question
Attempt a past-paper style question on predestination and free will from the exam board past paper finder (see Resources), then mark it against the scheme.
Exam Tips: Always refer to specific sources of authority (scripture, sacred texts, religious leaders) | Explain contrasting beliefs — different views within and between traditions | Use key terminology precisely (e.g. tawhid, atonement, sanctity of life) | For 12-mark evaluation questions, consider both sides before reaching a justified conclusion | Link beliefs to their impact on individuals, communities and society | Acknowledge diversity — no religious tradition has a single, uniform view
Common Errors: Watch Out! Students often confuse Sunni and Shi'a beliefs about predestination. Wrong: "All Muslims believe everything is predestined and humans have no free will." Correct: "Most Muslims believe God has foreknowledge but humans have free will to choose; the balance between predestination and free will is understood differently across traditions."
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
- Synoptic links: explain how predestination and free will connects to another Religious Studies topic you have studied
- Real-world: research one real-world use or example of predestination and free will
- Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in predestination and free will?"
Plenary (5 minutes)
Assessment Criteria
- Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
- Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
- Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2
Homework & Consolidation
- Consolidation: Re-answer any Lesson 3 practice questions answered incorrectly (20 mins)
- Retrieval: Write flashcards for the key terms: Exam Tip, UK Context, UK Context (10 mins)
- Exam practice: One past-paper question on predestination and free will from the board websites (15 mins)
- Extension: Explain predestination and free will to someone else in your own words (10 mins)