Discover the meaning of the term Al-akhtyar (اختيار) in Islamic vocabulary.
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Updated on 11 April 2026 at 1:05 AM
📖 1 min readPreferring one of two terms, or of several things, over the other.
In language: election, preference, choosing. 'I chose the thing as good (khayran), as khayran, as khayra': I selected and elected it, and that was a favor (khayra) of Allah; and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was chosen from among His creation; whence Allah's saying, exalted be He: 'Your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; they have no choice'.
Seeking what He has done as being the better.
In language: preference; it is defined as preferring a thing, specifying it and giving it precedence over another, and it is more specific than will (irada).
Election.