Does Allah Guides Whom He Wishes?

By Muhammad Aslam al Hindi

 

Assalamu alaikum Dear Viewers,

We often find people (muslims) saying "When Allah will wish, He will give me guidance. until He Doesn't wish, how I can get the guidance. When He will descend his Taufeeq (decisive power decsended by Allah that make a person succeed in doing a particular task) upon me, I will pay Salah, I will observe Saum, I will observe beard, I will....., I will...."

Whenver they are asked, they have the same reply. The proof?

A lot of ayaah from the Qur'an like Soorah Ibrahim: 4, Soorah Nahl: 93, Soorah Fatir: 8, Soorah Zumar: 23, Soorah Muddathir: 31. For sample:-

وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَنْ أَنَابَ 
(Soorah Rad: 27)

(And those who disbelieved, said: Why didn't descend an ayah upon him[Nabi salla allahu alaihi wa sallam] from his Lord. You say to them: Verily Allah misguides whom He wishes and guides towards Him who submits [towards Him])

"Yuzillu man yyashaa'u" (misguides whom He wishes) - This is the mantra they have crammed!

Lets try to know what the 'Wish' of Allah means...

إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ

Soorah Qasas: 56

(Verily you [Muhammad salla allahu alaihi wa sallam] can't guide whom you like but Allah guides whom He wishes; and He is aware of guided ones)

Did you notice?

Even Nabi salla allahu alaihi wa sallam likes/loves anybody (Ahbabt) and Allah wishes (Yashaa'u)

What this wish means?

This ayah was revealed in connection with the death of Abu Talib (The most loving uncle of our Nabi salla allahu alaihi wa sallam) as disbeliever. Our Nabi was trying too hard to make him a believer due to the extreme love for him. The word 'Yashaa'u' has not been used. Even when the Nabi wishes to guide someone, he doesn't do Yashaa'u, he does Yuhibbu. Personal like and dislike is attached. The most helping uncle! Among the most loving ones! Human brain falls short! It will naturally ask guidance for him. Absolutely true!

But Allah is above the emotional framework which even a Nabi possesses. He checks the eligibility! Is the person submitting to Allah without adding his 'if then' conditions.

Lets see once again the ayah mentioned just in the begining:

وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَنْ أَنَابَ
(Soorah Rad: 27)

(And those who disbelieved, said: Why didn't descend an ayah upon him[Nabi salla allahu alaihi wa sallam] from his Lord. You say to them: Verily Allah misguides whom He wishes and guides towards Him who submits [towards Him in a humble manner])

So simple! You ask for hidayah (guidance) and He will give!

It is well known that the who one needs must ask from the one who possesses. Not the one who possesses does go to the one who need. See yourself...

وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

(Al-Ankaboot: 69)

As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allah's religion - Islamic Monotheism). And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinun (good doers)."

To make sure that Allah guides you, be sure that you strive to receive guidance.