وَلَمْ يَخْفَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ مِنْ أَفْعَالِهِمْ قَبْلَ أَنْ خَلَقَهُمْ
Before creating them, none of their actions was hidden from Allah.
Claim under examination: A person says: Since Allah already knows my action, my choice and accountability are meaningless.
What the text establishes: Prior divine knowledge means no act is hidden from Allah. Divine knowing and the attribution of an action to a servant are different aspects; knowledge does not eliminate acquisition or responsibility.
What does not follow: Equating knowledge with coercion is unsupported by this phrase. Human choice and obligation must be considered through their own relevant teachings.
Application: Correct the statement: “To know an act is to compel it.”