“Man can get only what he strives for” (53/39)

[shibli]

The Quran holds HUMAN responsible for all actions, individual or collective. We get what we work for. Our fate is nothing but the results of our (individual and/or collective) actions! 

‘Your destiny is what you do’ (2/20)

“Whoever commits wrong (bad) deeds, surrounding himself with his mistakes - they are the people of hellfire”. On the other hand, “those who are convinced and do good (beneficial) deeds are the people of  Paradise” (2/81-82).

Elsewhere it says: “Whatever one does, begets full results” (2/281) -- also in (3/24, 3/160, 40/17).
But, an action has to be willful, as is stated in: “You will be held responsible (only) for actions committed by your heart (will)” (2/225).

That is, one is not responsible for a forced action. In my view, this verse alone sufficiently makes evident the Quranic notion that Man is created ‘free of will’.

In Surah Al-Anaam, it says: “Everyone has the responsibility of one’s own actions. No one carries another’s burden” (6/165). This is supported by (17/15; 35/18; 39/7; 53/38) etc. 

In Surah An-Najm, it says: “Man can get only what he strives for” (53/39). Also, “Man is entitled to what he works for” (20/15). A just society is the one in which “no one’s efforts go wasted” (21/94) and that in which “your efforts bear results” (17/18-21).

Like individuals, this law applies to nations as well - “Your predecessor (nations of past) bore the consequences of what they did and you will have what you work for. You will not be queried about their actions” (2/134).

Also, see (2/141). “Deeds bring results and responsibility to the doer (s)” (2/286). “People are destroyed by their own actions” (2/79).

Suffice to say that “Everyone is mortgaged by his own actions” (74/38).

“You get what you do” (9/82)

by G. A. Parwez
translated by Khalid M. Sayyed