Reason, Faith & Authority: a Shiite Perspective

Principle Two: Human freedom

We are free. This is philosophically true because no one has complete control upon our decision or acts by himself. This is also morally and politically true because no one other than God has authority upon us and therefore needs to be served or obeyed. In a well known hadith, Imam Ali (A) says:

“Do not be a servant of other people. God has created you free.”