Inspiration Courses Products Workshops Resources About

⟵ 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.

Learn more about Ask SikhRI

No items found.

No items found.

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 →

⟵ Previous Video

What does “Nanak” signify in Bani?

Why did most of the Gurus establish new cities?

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

,

27

November

2025

Explore Salok Sheikh Farid Ji (Salok 66-92)

In saloks sixty-six through ninety-two, Sheikh Farid Ji reminds us that with each day comes someone’s time to depart this world. All those here are like guests; yet they spend their lives oblivious, forgetting to prepare for the journey ahead.

Sunday

,

23

November

2025

Getting to Know Guru Teghbahadar Sahib: Lesson 7

Through this series, we hope you had the opportunity to learn more about Guru Teghbahadar Sahib—from the Guru’s early years as Tyag Mal, to the wisdom the Guru shared through the Guru’s banis, to the ultimate sacrifice the Guru made for justice.

Sunday

,

23

November

2025

Getting to Know Guru Teghbahadar Sahib: Lesson 6

In this sixth lesson, we explore the fourth sabad in Rag Jaijavanti by Guru Teghbahadar Sahib Ji. Guru Sahib reminds us that our lives are constantly passing, moment by moment, and encourages us to reflect on how we're using our time.

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.