⟵ Back to videos

What role does free will play in Sikhi?

Ask SikhRI

Monday
,
1
September
2025

In Sikhi, free will exists within a larger Divine framework. Imagine a picture frame: you choose what to place inside but cannot change the frame itself. You don’t get to change cosmic laws or physical laws.

In Sikhi, free will exists within a larger Divine framework. Imagine a picture frame: you choose what to place inside but cannot change the frame itself. You don’t get to change cosmic laws or physical laws.


Our choices, from how we act, to what we learn, to how we grow, are all expressions of free will. These choices matter, yet they unfold within cosmic and Divine laws that remain beyond our control.


Free will is about making conscious, responsible decisions with awareness and wisdom, while also recognizing that you cannot change the larger Will, the cosmic law, the Divine will, or the physical laws—whichever way you prefer to understand that.

The Sikh Research Institute recognizes its ethical responsibility to promptly correct any factual small or large errors. Please get in touch with us via email to request a correction if you have identified a mistake.

Suggest a correction →

In This Video

Harinder Singh

Senior Fellow, Research & Policy

Harinder Singh is the Senior Fellow at the Sikh Research Institute. He holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University, an MS in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas, and an MPhil from Punjab University in the linguistics of the Guru Granth Sahib. 

View profile ⟶

Latest Videos

Thursday
,
25
June
2026

Explore Din Raini

In the Guru Granth Sahib, Din Raini is a poetic form, like Barah Maha, Ruti, Thiti, and Var Sat, structured around traditional Indic units of time.

watch now ⟶
Friday
,
19
June
2026

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom

Recorded in London, Harinder Singh and moderator, Gurinder Kaur Chadha, reflect on the life and legacy of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, exploring his vision of sovereignty, compassion, courage, and spiritual freedom. 

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
16
June
2026

Kirpan: Panthic Accountability & Developing Inner Grace

In this episode, join Jasleen Kaur, Harinder Singh, and Santbir Singh for a reflective and nuanced conversation about what this case has brought up about the Kirpan, Khalsa identity, masculinity, and our responsibility to one another.

watch now ⟶

Share on Social Media

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay informed with our weekly updates, important events and more at SikhRI.

Thank you! Your submission has been received.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.