The New Nation - Internet Edition

The holy Quran is the 'guide to mankind' and it conveys the 'guidance' (hidaya) of Allah. We should have a clear conception about the guidance. The holy Quran says: "t.then Allah leaves in error whom He pleases and He guides whom He pleasest.."(14:4). There are such other verses in the Quran. Because of our manifold limitations in understanding, there is the proability of confusion, contradiction and misconception.

'Guidance' and 'misguidance' need explanation. These should not be confused and misunderstood. 'Misguidance' should not be attributed to the Creator as His wilful 'oppression' (Allah forbid!).

The verses in the Quran should be read in conjuncture and then attempt to get the real meaning of the messages. The relevant traditions of the Sunnah are to be arranged so that they (the verses and Hadith) become mutually helpful. It is also to be borne in mind, Allah is above the 'human' motive of 'oppression'. He is so kind to his servants that He helps them in righteousness and avoids them against disobedience.

The Quranic 'guidance' is not only for human being, but also plants, animals and inanimate creatures. Allah made laws and systems to fit their existence. This is natural (instinctive) guidance for human being and animal to guide the creatures to their system of natural life and existence. The Quran says : "He said, our Lord is He Who gives to everything its creation, then guides (it)". (20:50). The Hadith echoes : "Do act, for each creature is equipped according to what Allah created." Here difference does not arise on guidance.

There is the legislative guidance of Allah, which relates to injunction on Code of life and the world, dealing with fellow human beings and worship, etc.

The Quran says : "Those who believe and do good, their Lord guides them by their faith." (10:9) "Those who believe not in Allah's signs, Allah guides them not, and for them is a painful chastisement." (16:104).

So, there is no scope of taking the guidance of Allah as determination i.e. Allah to be made responsible for the wrong done by the concerned created being. On the contrary, the meaning of such verses is Allah's help for them who seek and wish the guidance and proceed towards the right path.

-Abdul Muqit Chowdhury