Mysticism Studies in Literature

Freedom, Determinism, and Human Agency: A Comparative Study of Spinoza's and Iqbal's Thoughts in the Light of Quranic Thought

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

ATA UL KAREEM 1
Gholamreza mastaliparsa 2

1 Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Persian Literature and Foreign Languages, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran

2 Associate professor at Allameh Tabatabaei University

10.22054/msil.2026.87005.1200
Abstract
A comparative study of determinism in the thought of Spinoza and Iqbal—especially in light of Qur'anic teachings—is one of the profound and challenging topics in philosophy and theology. This article examines the contrasting views on freedom, determinism, and human agency in the philosophies of Baruch Spinoza and Muhammad Iqbal. While Spinoza presents a rational determinism grounded in metaphysical monism, Iqbal, drawing upon Islamic thought and particularly the Qur'an, offers a dynamic perspective on moral autonomy and spiritual identity. This research identifies the fundamental contrasts between these two worldviews in terms of their metaphysical assumptions, theological implications, and anthropological consequences. The analysis reveals how Iqbal’s Qur'an-based theocentrism, emphasizing the real and transformative nature of human freedom, critiques and transcends Spinoza’s rational determinism. Spinoza defines freedom as rational submission to necessity, Iqbal sees it as the active power to choose, create, and evolve in moral communion with God. This philosophical difference represents a profound metaphysical conflict and also points to fundamentally different understandings of what it means to be human.

Keywords

Determinism
human freedom
Spinoza
Iqbal
human agency
Subjects
Mysticism Studies in Literature
Volume 4, Issue 8
(autumn and winter2026)
March 2026

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