Guidance (هداية) and Misguidance (ضلال)

Understanding the Quran’s definition of the important term هداية (Hidayah), meaning “guidance,” is essential to resolving a common misunderstanding of a verse frequently recited at the beginning of Friday khutbahs. The verse in question is:

مَن يَهْدِ اللَّهُ فَهُوَ الْمُهْتَدِ ۖ وَمَن يُضْلِلْ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ وَلِيًّا مُّرْشِدًا ]الكهف [

Whomsoever Allah guides is the one who is guided and whomsoever He sends astray (lets go astray, leaves to stray, causes to err), for him you will not find a guiding guardian. (Al-Kahf 18:17)

While it is universally accepted that Allah guides people, some find it difficult to comprehend how Allah could lead some astray, allow them to err, and then hold them accountable for their actions. To address this apparent paradox, it is crucial to recognize that the Quran identifies three types of guidance that Allah offers to humanity:

• Universal guidance
• Supportive guidance
• Sustaining guidance.

Universal Guidance is the foundational guidance that Allah grants to every human being through two primary means:

1. Innate nature of creation (Fitrah)
2. Instructive resources (Through Prophets and Messengers).

Innate Nature of Creation: Allah has instilled each human being with an inherent capacity to recognize Him, distinguish between truth and falsehood, and discern right from wrong. This innate sense of guidance is described in Surah Al-Insan (الإنسان):

إِنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا

“We guided him to the path; he will either be grateful or be ungrateful.” (Al-Insan 76:3)

1/ Instructive Guidance Through Messengers: In addition to this innate guidance, Allah has sent Prophets and messengers to teach and demonstrate His revelations. For example, the people of Thamud received this guidance through Prophet Saleh:

وَأَمَّا ثَمُودُ فَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ فَاسْتَحَبُّوا الْعَمَى عَلَى الْهُدَى فَأَخَذَتْهُمْ صَاعِقَةُ الْعَذَابِ الْهُونِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ ]فصلت [

“As to the Thamud, We gave them guidance, but they preferred blindness to guidance: so the stunning Punishment of humiliation seized them, because of what they had earned.’ (Fusulat 41:17)

 Since Allah has granted humanity free will, individuals have the choice to accept or reject this universal guidance. Those who accept it become eligible for the next two types of guidance.

2/ Supportive Guidance (هداية المعونة): Supportive guidance is a special type of guidance granted only to those who have embraced universal guidance. Those who reject universal guidance are entirely deprived of this supportive assistance. This guidance is necessary for those who have chosen the straight path to help them remain steadfast. The Quran highlights this concept:

وَالَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا زَادَهُمْ هُدًى وَآتَاهُمْ تَقْوَاهُمْ  )محمد(

“But to those who consent to be guided, He increases their guidance and bestows on them their Taqwa.” (Muhammad 47:17)

Similarly, in Surat Maryam:

وَيَزِيدُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا هُدًى ) مريم(

“Allah increases guidance for those who are guided” (Maryam 19:76)

When Allah speaks of not guiding someone, He refers specifically to the guidance of support, which He offers only to those who deserve it by accepting the universal guidance.

When Allah speaks of not guiding someone, He specifically refers to this supportive guidance, which is reserved for those who accept universal guidance. Therefore, when we read the verse in Surah Al-Qasas:

إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ

“You will not be able to guide whom you love; but Allah guides whom He wills and He knows best those who accepted guidance. (Al-Qasas 28:56)

We understand that this verse speaks about the second type of guidance—the guidance of support.

 3/ Sustaining Guidance: This type of guidance ensures that individuals who continue to follow Allah’s guidance remain firm in their faith and steadfast on the straight path. This guidance is essential not only during our lives but also after death and during resurrection. It is necessary for successfully answering the questions in the grave. Allah says:

يُثَبِّتُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ وَيُضِلُّ اللَّهُ الظَّالِمِينَ وَيَفْعَلُ اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ ]إبراهيم[

Allah reinforces those who believe with the proper response, in this world and in the Hereafter; but Allah misguides the unjust: Allah does whatever He wills. (Ibrahim 14:27)

This guidance is also needed to project light in front of us as we stay on the path to Paradise. Allah says:

يَوْمَ تَرَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَسْعَى نُورُهُمْ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَانِهِمْ بُشْرَاكُمُ الْيَوْمَ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ ]الحديد[

“On that day you will see the believing men and the believing women with their Light shining ahead of them and by their right: (their greeting will be): “Good News for you this Day, gardens beneath which rivers flow to live in forever.  Truly, this is the greatest success.” (Al-Hadead 57:12)

If we accept Allah’s universal guidance, He will provide us with both supporting guidance in this life and sustaining guidance even after our departure from this world.

 Resolving the Paradox of Misguidance (ضلال)

 You may still wonder why Allah does not extend supportive guidance to everyone. Just as Allah has established divine laws (سنن الله) governing the universe, He has also set laws that dictate the consequences of human actions. Among these divine laws is one that determines who will be deprived of guidance beyond what the messengers have delivered. This law is clearly outlined in the Quran, particularly by describing the behaviors of those who are denied supportive guidance.

Allah states: (وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ) “Allah does not guide the unjust (wrongdoers)”.

 This declaration appears ten times in the Quran, including in the following verses:

(Al-Baqara 2:258, Al-Imran 3:86, Al-Maeda 5:51, Al-An’am 6:144, At-Tawba 9:19, At-Tawba 9:109, Al-Qasas 28:50, Al-Ahqaf 46:10, As-Saff 61:7, Al-Jumu’ah 62:5).

 

Injustice is the most frequently mentioned attribute in the Quran as a reason for Allah depriving individuals of supportive guidance. In addition to injustice, the Quran identifies other characteristics that render a person undeserving of Allah’s supportive guidance:

Other behaviors that cause a person to be deprived of supporting guidance include:

1. Rebellion (فسق): Allah says:

(وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ) “Allah does not guide the rebellious.”

This statement is repeated five times in the Quran: (Al-Maida 5:108, At-Tawba 9:24, At-Tawba 9:80, As-Saff 61:5, Al-Munafiqoon 63:6).

2. Disbelief (كفر): Allah warns: (وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ)
   “Allah does not guide the disbelievers (those who reject faith).”

This warning is repeated four times in the Quran: (Al-Baqara 2:264, At-Tawba 9:37, An-Nahl 16:107, Al-Maida 5:67).

3. Betrayal (خيانة): Allah says: (وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي كَيْدَ الْخَائِنِينَ)
   “Indeed, Allah does not guide the snare of the betrayers.” (Yusuf 12:52)
4. Lying and Disbelief: Allah states: (إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي مَنْ هُوَ كَاذِبٌ كَفَّارٌ)
   “Indeed, Allah does not guide anyone who is a liar and disbeliever.” (Az-Zumar 39:3)
5. Extravagance and Lying (إسراف وكذب): Allah declares:

(إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ كَذَّابٌ)
“Indeed, Allah does not guide the extravagant, the liar.” (Ghafir 40:28)

By identifying these attributes—injustice, rebellion, disbelief, betrayal, lying, and extravagance—the Quran explains that Allah’s supportive guidance is reserved for those who demonstrate sincerity, humility, and a willingness to follow His universal guidance. Conversely, those who persist in these behaviors render themselves ineligible for further guidance, in accordance with the divine laws that govern human accountability.

 

1.    Faith and Belief Believe in Allah, His angels, books, messengers, and the Day of Judgment. Make no distinction among Allah’s messengers. Invoke no god besides Allah. Worship and Rituals Perform prayer, fasting, Hajj, and engage in frequent remembrance of Allah and the Hereafter. Trust in Allah and maintain reverence (Khushoo) in prayer, including night prayers. Regularly engage with the Quran, recitation and reflection. Seeking Forgiveness and Gratitude Seek Allah’s forgiveness often and acknowledge His blessings. Repent sincerely after sinning. Charity and Financial Ethics Give charity generously, spend wisely, and avoid extravagance and miserliness. Avoid Riba, gambling, and protect others’ wealth. Character and Morality Speak truthfully, testify honestly, and use respectful language. Avoid arrogance, suspicion, backbiting, and insulting others. Maintain self-restraint. Patience, Forgiveness, and Humility Exercise patience, forgive others, and maintain contentment. Stay humble and respond peacefully to ignorant speech. Community Responsibility and Social Ethics Enjoin what is right, forbid wrong, and avoid vain talk. Keep trusts and covenants faithfully. Seek permission to enter others’ property and verify information before acting. Justice and Legal Matters Uphold justice, maintain proper legal documentation, and ensure fair retribution for crimes. Unity, Striving, and Support Be prepared for Jihad with wealth and lives, supporting fellow believers, and striving to keep unity. Honor the sanctity of life. Personal Conduct and Family Life ·         Maintain cleanliness, eat lawful food, and restrain anger. ·         Respect life, avoid alcohol, and preserve chastity. ·         Pray for righteous families and aspire to be models of Taqwa.

1.     الإيمان والعقيدة o        الإيمان بالله وملائكته وكتبه ورسله واليوم الآخر. o        عدم التفريق بين رسل الله. o        عدم دعاء إله غير الله. 2.     العبادات والشعائر o        أداء الصلاة والصيام والحج، والإكثار من ذكر الله وتذكر الآخرة. o        الثقة بالله وتحقيق الخشوع في الصلاة، بما في ذلك قيام الليل. o        التواصل المنتظم مع القرآن بالتلاوة والتدبر. 3.     طلب المغفرة والشكر o        الإكثار من طلب المغفرة من الله والاعتراف بنعمه. o        التوبة بصدق بعد الوقوع في الذنب. 4.     الصدقة والأخلاق المالية o        التصدق بسخاء، والإنفاق بحكمة، وتجنب الإسراف والبخل. o        اجتناب الربا والقمار وحماية أموال الآخرين. 5.     الأخلاق والسلوك o        قول الصدق، والشهادة بالحق، واستخدام اللغة المحترمة. o        تجنب الكبر والظنون السيئة والغيبة وإهانة الآخرين. o        التحلي بضبط النفس. 6.     الصبر والعفو والتواضع o        ممارسة الصبر، والعفو عن الآخرين، والحفاظ على الرضا. o        التواضع والرد بسلام على الكلام الجاهل. 7.     المسؤولية المجتمعية والأخلاق الاجتماعية o        الأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر وتجنب اللغو. o        أداء الأمانات والعهود بأمانة. o        طلب الإذن قبل دخول ممتلكات الآخرين والتحقق من المعلومات قبل التصرف. 8.     العدالة والمسائل القانونية o        التمسك بالعدالة، وتوثيق العقود بشكل صحيح، وضمان القصاص العادل للجرائم. 9.     الوحدة والجهاد والدعم o        الاستعداد للجهاد بالمال والنفس، ودعم المؤمنين، والسعي إلى الحفاظ على الوحدة. o        احترام حرمة الحياة. 10.السلوك الشخصي والحياة الأسرية الحفاظ على النظافة، وتناول الطعام الحلال، وضبط الغضب. احترام الحياة، وتجنب شرب الخمر، والحفاظ على العفة. الدعاء بالصلاح للأسرة والسعي ليكون الشخص قدوة في التقوى.