From my very basic understanding, in Islam, everything that has happened and that _will_ happen is [already known by God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predestination_in_Islam) . Yet it also says at the same time that humans have free will. I don't get how this works in detail. If God knows everything and is the source of all actions, then we are like cogs in a giant wheel and have no free will. Yet if humans have free will, then God is not a part of at least some parts of the universe (such as human minds)? But God is a part of everything, God is not absent from any part of the universe, so I don't get how these two ideas can coexist. The only way I can imagine it is like a rat in a wheel. The rat is in a cage, running along in a spinning wheel. Inside the wheel, they are free to run and run and do whatever they want. But they are not causing anything outside of the wheel to happen, so in that sense their actions are not tied to the rest of the system. But that's as far as that metaphor goes. I have heard some people say that "well God controls the _spiritual world_, while humans control the physical world. The physical world is a test bed for how humans act, and after death they will be judged for their actions in the spiritual world, and a corresponding reward or punishment chosen for them." Sort of thing. But even then, that is saying that God is only present in the spiritual dimension, not the physical. It is as if God carved out a space (physical space) where God is not present. And only interacts through messages or something. But that contradicts other ideas which say God is omnipresent in the universe. So I'm not sure how this works. Can you please explain how the concepts of human free will and an all-knowing God can coexist, from the perspective of Islam?

As we all know that Allah intervenes in whatever we do, He is looking at us and nothing can happen without His will. In that case, does Allah own the events like children dying in a bomb as well? And if He does, then isn't it that He does nothing and just watches other people in pain? When we say that Allah loves you more than mother etc. A mother would never watch her children dying in this way. Then there are people who say that Allah wants you to do something about it etc. My question becomes humans have limitations. I cannot go to Syria into a war zone even if I wanted to, but Allah can do anything! Then why is He silent and letting it happen. And please I want a good answer, not something like "God works in mysterious ways and we can't know anything for sure" or "This place is a test not real etc." the pain that these children and their families face are REAL. Period. So, kindly let me know your answers on this.

Does Allah exist in all life forms like animals, plants or human? (Pervades everywhere?)

What is the concept of hoolol in Sufuism? From my understand it is the concept that that Allah dwells in the creation? This to me opens the door to great forms of shirk as this seems a concept from Hinduism. As i have herd such statements among the sufis : Ibn Arabi said, "العبد رب و الرب عبد" or "al-abd-u rabb-un wa-r-rabb-u abd-un" (the slave is the lord and the lord is the slave)." In my understanding Allah resides above al-arsh : The Most Merciful [who is] above the Throne established.(Quraan 20:5) This to me is a concept very far from Islam and the tawheed of Allah. Pleases help me to understand this concept and its validity as this is very confusing to me.

Is Islam a pantheistic Religion? Is Allah present in everything? Example: If I cut down a tree, do I physically cut Allah?