5 Keys Leading to Islamic Guidance

The Concept of Guidance in Islam

Guidance is one of the greatest blessings that Allah bestows upon humankind. It is the light that directs both the heart and the mind toward truth, and it is one of the deepest and most precise aspects of monotheism. Guidance and misguidance are in the Hands of Allah, yet the servant is commanded to strive and to take the means that lead to guidance.

The Qur’an clarifies that guidance has different stages and levels. It begins with the general guidance that encompasses all creatures, enabling them to manage their lives and means of living. Then comes the guidance of explanation and instruction, which is manifested in the sending of Messengers and the revelation of Holy Books, thereby establishing proof against humanity. This is followed by the guidance of success, which Allah grants whomever He wills among His servants, guiding them to act upon the truth and remain firm upon it. It finally culminates in the ultimate guidance in the Hereafter, directing the believers to Paradise and leading them to eternal bliss.

These stages demonstrate that guidance is neither random nor forced; rather, it is the fruit of effort, perseverance, and adherence. Whoever strives against their own soul and sincerely seeks the truth, Allah opens for them the doors of light and guides them to the straight path.

Causes of Guidance

Among the most important causes of guidance are:

1.    Holding firm to Allah

One of the greatest causes of guidance emphasized in the Qur’an is holding firmly to Allah, adhering to His Book and His Sharia. Allah has promised His believing servants, those who trust and rely upon Him, that they will be granted mercy, bounty, and guidance to the straight path. He said, “So those who believe in Allah and hold fast to Him - He will admit them to mercy from Himself and bounty and guide them to Himself on a straight path.” (An-Nisa’ 4:175)

He SWT also stated that holding fast to Him is the path to salvation and guidance: “And whoever holds firmly to Allah has [indeed] been guided to a straight path.” (Aal-`Imran 3:101)

Ibn Kathir said: “Holding firm to Allah and relying upon Him is the foundation of guidance, the protection against deviation, the means to right direction, the path of righteousness, and the attainment of one’s objectives.”

Likewise, the Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized this meaning: “Now to our purpose. O people, I am a human being. I am about to receive a messenger (the angel of death) from my Lord and I, in response to Allah's call, (would bid good-bye to you), but I am leaving among you two weighty things: the one being the Book of Allah in which there is right guidance and light, so hold fast to the Book of Allah and adhere to it.” (Narrated by Muslim)

2.   Reflecting then acting upon the Qur’an

The Qur’an is the greatest Book of guidance that Allah revealed for humanity, to bring people out of darkness into light and to guide them to the straight path. Allah said, “This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.” (Al-Baqarah 2:2)

From the time of its revelation, the powerful influence of the Qur’an’s was clear. It captivated the ears of the Arabs with its eloquence and moved many hearts, even those of the polytheists. Al-Walid Ibn Al-Mughirah testified to its greatness. `Utbah Ibn Rabi`ah was deeply moved by its words. Al-Ṭufayl Ibn `Amr embraced Islam after hearing it, despite Quraysh’s warnings from hearing it. Its impact even extended to non-Arabic speakers, as in the case of Al-Najashi and his companions, about whom Allah said: “And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:83)

3.   Following the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him)

Allah sent the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a mercy to all creation, making obeying him a cause of success and prosperity. Allah said, “Say, ‘Obey Allah and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away—then upon him is only that [duty] with which he has been charged, and upon you is that with which you have been charged. And if you obey him, you will be [rightly] guided. And there is not upon the Messenger except the responsibility for clear notification.’” (An-Nur 24:54)

Allah also paired obeying His Messenger with obeying Him, saying: “And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.” (Al-Ahzab 33:71)

Indeed, following the Prophet (peace be upon him) is even a sign of Allah’s love for His servants and a cause for forgiveness and Paradise: “Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.’” (Aal-`Imran 3:31)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “All my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” They said, “O Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him)! Who will refuse?” He said, “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it).” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

4.   Supplication

Supplication is the servant’s acknowledgment of his weakness and need for his Lord the Almighty. That is why in Surat Al-Fatiha, the greatest Surah in the Qur’an that is recited in every prayer, we find this eternal supplication: “Guide us to the straight path.” (Al-Fatiha 1:6)

Shaykh Al-Sa`di explained: “Guidance to the path means adhering to Islam and leaving all other religions. Guidance within the path includes guidance in all detailed aspects of religion, both in knowledge and in action. This supplication is therefore among the most comprehensive and beneficial for the servant. Thus, it is obligatory for a person to ask Allah for it in every unit of prayer, due to his dire need for it.”

Thus, Allah legislated for His servants to repeat this supplication in every prayer, because of their constant need of it. This also follows the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him), who frequently supplicated: “O God, I ask Thee for guidance, piety, self-control and a competence.” (Narrated by Muslim)

The Muslim continuously asks his Lord for guidance and firmness, so that they may attain Paradise and be saved from the punishment of Hell.

5.   Reflecting upon the universe

Contemplating Allah’s cosmic signs, such as the sky raised without pillars, the earth spread out, the mountains firmly set, the alternation of night and day, the subjection of the sun and moon, and the creation of stars for navigation are all testimonies to the greatness of the Creator, proofs of His Oneness, and manifestations of His perfect power. Allah said: “It is Allah who erected the heavens without pillars that you [can] see; then He established Himself above the Throne and made subject the sun and the moon, each running [its course] for a specified term.” (Ar-Ra`d 13:2)

The Qur’an affirms that these cosmic phenomena are purposeful signs of guidance, grasped only by those of sound intellect: “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding. Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth.” (Aal-`Imran 3:190-191)

Reflecting upon these universal signs leads the sound heart to recognize that behind them is a Wise Creator. The believer then turns away from worshiping created beings to worshiping the Lord of all creation, thereby being guided to the straight path.

Thus, Allah has opened great doors of guidance for His servants and granted them the means to attain it, just as there are also obstacles that prevent a person from this goodness. Whoever understands this balance knows that salvation in this world and in the Hereafter depend on holding firm to the causes of guidance and avoiding its preventatives: “Then whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray [in the world] nor suffer [in the Hereafter].” (Taha 20:123)

For Further Reading:

• Dear Youth, Turn Back to Allah, It's Never Too Late!
• Contentment: The Secret to a Tranquil Heart
• Ihsan (Perfection) in Everyday Interactions

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Resources:

• Mahasin Al-Islam Encyclopedia.
• Tafsir Modoee Encyclopedia.
• Islamweb: Guidance of the Qur’an.
• Al-Jazeera.net: Guidance and Its Levels in the Book of Allah Almighty.
• Al-Jazeera.net: Human Guidance as Preordained by the Will of Allah Almighty.