Hedayah: Guidance of Allah (SWT)
“And certainly, it is a Guide and a Mercy to those who believe.” (27:77)
Hedayah means the guidance of Allah (SWT) towards His path (i.e., the religion of Islam). Those who are guided by the Qur’an and Sunnah are the rightly guided Muslims. Hedayah is an inspiration from the Almighty Allah in humans’ hearts to know Him and surrender to His will. The pure source of Hedayah (true guidance) is Allah (SWT), which He bestowed through His Book – the Qur’an, His Prophet’s Sunnah and His religion, Deen Islam. In order to receive Hedayah, one should pursue the following procedures: Firstly, to cherish the desire for Hedayah in mind, and then seek Allah’s help to reform own condition. Allah (SWT) says: “Allah doesn’t change a people unless they change their inner condition themselves.” (13:11).
- When one’s heart is inclined to receive the true and right guidance, then one receives inspiration from Allah (SWT). In that situation, a passion for guidance is created in one’s heart that paves the way for receiving Hedayah.
- And when the urge for Hedayah is transformed into Imaan (Faith) and good deeds, one becomes a true Believer.
Hedayah completely lies with the Almighty Allah’s will. He is the best Knower of hearts of His servants. He grants Hedayah considering the sincere intention of one’s heart. Disregard for Hedayah will be questioned on the Day of Judgement as Allah (SWT) says: “All Sovereignty on that Day belongs to Allah; He will judge between them. Those who believe and do good deeds will be in the Gardens of Bliss.” (22:56). So, Hedayah is a great asset for human beings for achieving success in this world and salvation and eternal peace in the hereafter.
The verses related with Hedayah are cited below:
قَدْ جَاءكُمْ مِّنَ اللهِ نُوْرٌ وَّكِتَابٌ مُّبِيْنٌ يَهْدِىْ بِهِ اللهُ مَنِ اتَّبَعَ رِضْوٰنَه سُبُلَ السَّلٰمِ وَيُخْرِجُهُمْ مِّنَ الظُّلُمٰتِ اِلَى النُّوْرِ بِاِذْنِه وَيَهْدِيْهِمْ اِلٰى صِرٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ
“…….. There has come to you from Allah a (new) light and a perspicuous Book, – by which Allah guides all who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace and safety, and brings them out of darkness by His will unto the light, and guides them to a path that is straight.” (5:15 – 16)
تِلْكَ اٰیٰتُ الْقُرْاٰنِ وَكِتَابٍ مُّبِیْنٍ هُدًی وَّبُشْرٰی لِلْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ الَّذِیْنَ یُقِیْمُوْنَ الصَّلٰوۃَ وَیُؤْتُوْنَ الزَّکٰوۃَ وَهُمْ بِالْاٰخِرَۃِ هُمْ یُوْقِنُوْنَ
“…… These are verses of the Qur’an, a Book that makes (things) clear; A guide: and glad tidings for the believers, those who establish regular prayers and give in regular charity, and also have (full) assurance of the hereafter.” (27:1 – 3)
اَللهُ نَزَّلَ اَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيْثِ كِتٰبًا مُّتَشٰبِهًا مَّثَانِىَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُوْدُ الَّذِيْنَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِيْنُ جُلُوْدُهُمْ وَقُلُوْبُهُمْ اِلٰى ذِكْرِ اللهِ ذٰلِكَ هُدَى اللهِ يَهْدِىْ بِه مَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَمَنْ يُّضْلِلِ اللهُ فَمَا لَه مِنْ هَادٍ
“Allah has sent down the most superb massage: A Book consistent and paired (with promise of rewards and punishments), which is oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver with it, then their skins and their hearts soften up to the remembrance of Allah. Such is Allah’s guidance; He guides with it whomever He wills. But whomever Allah leaves astray, for him there is no guide.” (39:23)
هٰذَا بَصَاۤئِرُ مِنْ رَّبِّكُمْ وَهُدًى وَّرَحْمَةٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُّؤْمِنُوْنَ
“……….This (Qur’an) is (nothing but) lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and mercy, for any who have faith.” (7:203, 45:20)
وَاِنَّه لَهُدًى وَّرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ
“And certainly, it is a Guide and a Mercy to those who believe.” (27:77)
وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتٰبَ تِبْيٰنًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَّهُدًى وَّرَحْمَةً وَّبُشْرٰى لِلْمُسْلِمِيْنَ
“……… and We have sent down to you the Book explaining all things, a Guide, a Mercy, and Glad Tidings to Muslims.” (16:89)
وَلَقَدْ جِئْنٰهُمْ بِكِتٰبٍ فَصَّلْنٰهُ عَلٰى عِلْمٍ هُدًى وَّرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُوْنَ
“For We had certainly sent unto them a Book, based on knowledge, which We explained in detail, – a guide and a mercy to all who believe.” (7:52)
اُوْلٰٓئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوٰتٌ مِنْ رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ وَاُوْلٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُوْنَ
“Upon you are blessings and mercy from their Lord. These are the guided ones.” (2:157)
ذٰلِكَ هُدَى اللهِ يَهْدِىْ بِه مَنْ يَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِه وَلَوْ اَشْرَكُوْا لَحَبِطَ عَنْهُمْ مَّا كَانُوْا يَعْمَلُوْنَ
“This (Deen Islam) is Allah’s guidance. He guides those of His servants with it whomever He wills. Had they committed ‘Shirk’ (partnership with Allah), their deeds would have gone in vain.” (6:88)
قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوْا مِنْهَا جَمِيْعًا ج فَاِمَّا يَاْتِيْنَّكُمْ مِّنِّىْ هُدًى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَاىَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُوْنَ
“We said (to Adam), ‘Go down all of you from it, yet whenever guidance comes to you from Me, then who follow My guidance—shall have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve.” (2:38)
هُدًى وَّرَحْمَةً لِّلْمُحْسِنِيْنَ الَّذِيْنَ يُقِيْمُوْنَ الصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤْتُوْنَ الزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُمْ بِالْاٰخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوْقِنُوْنَ اُوْلٰٓئِكَ عَلٰى هُدًى مِّنْ رَّبِّهِمْ وَاُوْلٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ
“(This Qur’an) A guide and a mercy for the righteous. Those who observe the prayer, and pay Zakat (poor-due), and are certain of the Hereafter. These are upon guidance from their Lord. These are the successful.” (31:3 – 5)
اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوْا الصّٰلِحٰتِ يَهْدِيْهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِاِيْمٰنِهِمْ تَجْرِىْ مِنْ تَحْتِهِمُ الْاَنْهٰرُ فِى جَنّٰتِ النَّعِيْمِ دَعْوٰىهُمْ فِيْهَا سُبْحٰنَكَ اللّٰهُمَّ وَتَحِيَّتُهُمْ فِيْهَا سَلٰمٌ وَاٰخِرُ دَعْوٰىهُمْ اَنِ الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ
“As for those who believe and do good deeds, their Lord guides them in their faith. Rivers will flow beneath them in the Gardens of Bliss. Their prayer therein is, ‘Glory be to You, our Allah.’ And their greeting therein is, ‘Peace.’ And their call ends with: ‘All Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds’!” (10:9 – 10)
اِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِىْ مَنْ اَحْبَبْتَ وَلٰكِنَّ اللهَ يَهْدِىْ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَهُوَ اعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِيْنَ وَقَالُوْۤا اِنْ نَّتَّبِعِ الْهُدٰى مَعَكَ نُتَخَطَّفْ مِنْ اَرْضِنَاۤ اَوَلَمْ نُمَكِّنْ لَّهُمْ حَرَمًا اٰمِنًا يُجْبٰىۤ اِلَيْهِ ثَمَرٰتُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ رِّزْقًا مِّنْ لَّدُنَّا وَلٰكِنَّ اَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ
“You cannot guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He wills, and He knows best those who are guided. And they say, ‘If we follow the guidance with you, we will be ousted from our land.’ Did We not establish for them a Safe Sanctuary, to which are brought all kinds of fruits, as provision from Ourselves? But most of them do not know.” (28:56 – 57)
اِنَّكَ لَا تُسْمِعُ الْمَوْتٰى وَلَا تُسْمِعُ الصُّمَّ الدُّعَآءَ اِذَا وَلَّوْا مُدْبِرِيْنَ وَمَآ اَنْتَ بِهٰدِى الْعُمْىِ عَنْ ضَلٰلَتِهِمْ اِنْ تُسْمِعُ اِلَّا مَنْ يُّؤْمِنْ بِـَٔايٰتِنَا فَهُمْ مُّسْلِمُوْنَ
“Truly you cannot cause the dead to listen, nor can you cause the deaf to hear the call, (especially) when they turn back in retreat. Nor can you be a guide to the blind, (to prevent them) from straying: only those you will get to listen who believe in Our Signs, and they are submitting ones (Muslims).” (27:80 – 81)
قُلْ اِنَّمَاۤ اَتَّبِعُ مَا يُوْحٰىۤ اِلَىَّ مِنْ رَّبِّىْ هٰذَا بَصَاۤئِرُ مِنْ رَّبِّكُمْ وَهُدًى وَّرَحْمَةٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُّؤْمِنُوْنَ
“………..Say, ‘I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord.’ This (Qur’an) is insights from your Lord and guidance, and mercy, for the people who believe.” (7:203)
هُوَ الَّذِىۤ اَرْسَلَ رَسُوْلَه بِالْهُدٰى وَدِيْنِ الْحَقِّ لِيْظْهِرَه عَلَى الدِّيْنِ كُلِّه وَكَفٰى بِاللهِ شَهِيْدًا
“It is He who sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, to make it prevail over all religions. Allah suffices as Witness.” (48:28)
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ اَنْ تُؤْمِنَ اِلَّا بِاِذْنِ اللهِ وَيَجْعَلُ الرِّجْسَ عَلَى الَّذِيْنَ لَا يَعْقِلُوْنَ قُلِ انْظُرُوْا مَاذَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَمَا تُغْنِى الْاٰيٰتُ وَالنُّذُرُ عَنْ قَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ فَهَلْ يَنْتَظِرُوْنَ اِلَّا مِثْلَ اَيَّامِ الَّذِيْنَ خَلَوْا مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ قُلْ فَانْتَظِرُوْۤا اِنِّى مَعَكُمْ مِّنَ الْمُنْتَظِرِيْنَ
“No soul can believe except by Allah’s leave; and He lays disgrace upon those who refuse to understand. Say, ‘Look at what is in the heavens and the earth.’ But signs and warnings are of no avail for people who do not believe. Are they waiting only for the times that came to those who passed away before them? Say, ‘Then wait, I will be waiting with you’.” (10:100 – 102)
وَالَّذِيْنَ اهْتَدَوْا زَادَهُمْ هُدًى وَّاٰتٰىهُمْ تَقْوٰىهُمْ
“As for those who are rightly guided, He increases them in guidance, and grant them their righteousness.” (47:17)
لَیْسَ عَلَیْكَ هُدٰىهُمْ وَلٰكِنَّ اللّٰهَ یَہْدِیْ مَنْ یَّشَآءُ ؕ
(O Messenger) “It is not your responsibility to set them (those who do not listen to you) on the right path, but Allah sets on the right path whom He pleases…….” (2:272)
…… قُلْ اِنَّ الْهُدٰی هُدَی اللّٰهِ …..
“…..Say, ‘Verily Guidance is the guidance of Allah’…..” (3:73)
وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِىْ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍ رَّسُوْلًا اَنِ اعْبُدُوْا اللهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوْا الطّٰغُوْتَ فَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ هَدَى اللهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الضَّلٰلَةُ فَسِيْرُوْا فِى الْاَرْضِ فَانْظُرُوْا كَيْفَ كَانَ عٰقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِيْنَ اِنْ تَحْرِصْ عَلٰى هُدٰىهُمْ فَاِنَّ اللهَ لَا يَهْدِىْ مَنْ يُّضِلُّ وَمَا لَهُمْ مِّنْ نّٰصِرِيْنَ
“To every community We sent a messenger with the message: ‘Worship Allah, and shun “Tagut” (Devil’s worship).’ Some of them Allah guided, while others deserved misguidance. So, travel through the earth, and see what the fate of the deniers was. Even though you may be concerned about their guidance, surely Allah does not guide those whom He has sent astray. And they will have no helpers.” (16:36 – 37)
قُلْ اَنَدْعُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مَا لَا یَنْفَعُنَا وَلَا یَضُرُّنَا وَنُرَدُّ عَلٰۤی اَعْقَابِنَا بَعْدَ اِذْ هَدٰىنَا اللّٰهُ كَالَّذِی اسْتَہْوَتْهُ الشَّیٰطِیْنُ فِی الْاَرْضِ حَیْرَانَ ۪ لَہٗۤ اَصْحٰبٌ یَّدْعُوْنَہٗۤ اِلَی الْهُدَی ائْتِنَا ؕ قُلْ اِنَّ هُدَی اللّٰهِ هُوَ الْهُدٰی ؕ وَاُمِرْنَا لِنُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ
“Say, ‘Shall we invoke besides Allah something that can neither benefit us nor harm us, and turn back on our heels after Allah has guided us; like someone seduced by the devils and confused on earth, who has friends calling him to guidance: ‘Come to us?” Say, ‘The guidance of Allah is the guidance, and we are commanded to surrender to the Lord of the Universe’.” (6:71)
فَرِيْقًا هَدٰى وَفَرِيْقًا حَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ الضَّلٰلَةُ اِنَّهُمُ اتَّخَذُوْا الشَّيٰطِيْنَ اَوْلِيَآءَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللهِ وَيَحْسَبُوْنَ اَنَّهُمْ مُّهْتَدُوْنَ
“He has guided some, and some have deserved misguidance. They have adopted the devils for patrons rather than Allah, and they presume that they are rightly guided.” (7:30)
وَمَا مَنَعَ النَّاسَ اَنْ یُّؤْمِنُوْۤا اِذْ جَآءَهُمُ الْهُدٰی وَیَسْتَغْفِرُوْا رَبَّهُمْ اِلَّاۤ اَنْ تَاْتِیَهُمْ سُنَّۃُ الْاَوَّلِیْنَ اَوْ یَاْتِیَهُمُ الْعَذَابُ قُبُلًا
“What prevented people from accepting faith, when guidance has come to them, and from seeking their Lord’s forgiveness? Unless they are waiting for the precedent of the ancients to befall them, or to have the punishment come in front of them.” (18:55)
وَمَنْ اَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ ذُكِرَ بِاٰیٰتِ رَبِّہٖ فَاَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا وَ نَسِیَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ یَدٰهُ ؕ اِنَّا جَعَلْنَا عَلٰی قُلُوْبِهِمْ اَكِنَّۃً اَنْ یَّفْقَهُوْهُ وَ فِیْۤ اٰذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًا ؕ وَ اِنْ تَدْعُهُمْ اِلَی الْهُدٰی فَلَنْ یَّہْتَدُوْۤا اِذًا اَبَدًا
“Who does greater wrong than he, who, when reminded of his Lord’s revelations, turns away from them, and forgets what his hands have put forward? We have placed coverings over their hearts, lest they understand it, and profound deafness in their ears. And if you call them to guidance, they will not be guided, ever.” (18:57)
وَمَا كَانَ اللهُ لِيُضِلَّ قَوْمًۢا بَعْدَ اِذْ هَدٰىهُمْ حَتّٰى يُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ مَّا يَتَّقُوْنَ اِنَّ اللهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيْمٌ
“Allah would never lead a nation astray, after He had guided them, until He makes clear to them against what they should guard. Allah has knowledge of all things.” (9:115)
وَعَلَى اللهِ قَصْدُ السَّبِيْلِ وَمِنْهَا جَاۤئِرٌ وَّلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدٰىكُمْ اَجْمَعِيْنَ
“It is for Allah to point out the straight path, but there are some paths flawed. Had He willed, He could have guided you all to righteous path.” (16:9)
قُلْ مَنْ يَّرْزُقُكُمْ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ وَالْاَرْضِ اَمَّنْ يَّمْلِكُ السَّمْعَ وَالْاَبْصٰرَ وَمَنْ يُّخْرِجُ الْحَىَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَ الْحَىِّ وَمَنْ يُّدَبِّرُ الْاَمْرَ فَسَيَقُوْلُوْنَ اللهُ فَقُلْ اَفَلَا تَتَّقُوْنَ فَذٰلِكُمُ اللهُ رَبُّكُمُ الْحَقُّ ط فَمَاذَا بَعْدَ الْحَقِّ اِلَّا الضَّلٰلُ ط فَاَنّٰى تُصْرَفُوْنَ كَذٰلِكَ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ عَلَى الَّذِيْنَ فَسَقُوْٓا اَنَّهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ قُلْ هَلْ مِنْ شُرَكَآئِكُمْ مَّنْ يَّبْدَؤُا الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيْدُه قُلِ اللهُ يَبْدَؤُا الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيْدُه فَاَنّٰى تُؤْفَكُوْنَ
“Say, ‘Who provides for you from the sky and the earth? And who controls your hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead, and the dead from the living? And who governs the Order?’ They will say, ‘Allah.’ Say, ‘Will you not fear?’ Such is Allah, your Lord—the True One. What is there, beyond the truth, except falsehood? How are you turned away? Thus, your Lord’s Word proved true against those who disobeyed, for they do not believe. Say, ‘Can any of your partners initiate creation, and then repeat it?’ Say, ‘Allah initiates the creation and then repeats it. How are you so deluded’?” (10:31 – 34)
قُلْ هَلْ مِنْ شُرَكَآئِكُمْ مَّنْ يَّهْدِىْۤ اِلَى الْحَقِّ قُلِ اللهُ يَهْدِىْ لِلْحَقِّ اَفَمَنْ يَّهْدِىۤ اِلَى الْحَقِّ اَحَقُّ اَنْ يُتَّبَعَ اَمَّنْ لَّا يَهِدِّىۤ اِلَّاۤ اَنْ يُّهْدٰى فَمَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُوْنَ وَمَا يَتَّبِعُ اَكْثَرُهُمْ اِلَّا ظَنًّا ط اِنَّ الظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِىْ مِنَ الْحَقِّ شَيْـًٔا ط اِنَّ اللهَ عَلِيْمٌۢ بِمَا يَفْعَلُوْنَ
“Say, ‘Can any of your partners guide to the truth?’ Say, ‘Allah guides to the truth. Is He who guides to the truth more worthy of being followed, or he who does not guide, unless he himself is guided? What is the matter with you? How do you judge?’ Indeed, most of them follow nothing but assumptions; and assumptions avail nothing against the truth. Allah is fully aware of what they do.” (10:35 – 36)
كَيْفَ يَهْدِى اللهُ قَوْمًا كَفَرُوْا بَعْدَ اِيْمٰنِهِمْ وَشَهِدُوْۤا اَنَّ الرَّسُوْلَ حَقٌّ وَجَآءَهُمُ الْبَيِّنٰتُ وَاللهُ لَا يَهْدِى الْقَوْمَ الظّٰلِمِيْنَ
“How will Allah guide a nation who disbelieved after having believed, and had witnessed that the Messenger is true, and the clear proofs had come to them? Allah does not guide the unjust people.” (3:86)
اُوْلٰٓئِكَ الَّذِيْنَ اشْتَرَوُا الضَّلٰلَةَ بِالْهُدٰى فَمَا رَبِحَتْ تِّجٰرَتُهُمْ وَمَا كَانُوْا مُهْتَدِيْنَ
“They are those who have bartered error for guidance, but their trade does not profit them, and they are not guided.” (2:16)
فَاُوْلٰٓئِكَ الَّذِيْنَ اشْتَرَوُا الضَّلٰلَةَ بِالْهُدٰى وَالْعَذَابَ بِالْمَغْفِرَةِ فَمَاۤ اَصْبَرَهُمْ عَلَى النَّارِ
“It is they who exchange guidance for error, and forgiveness for punishment. So how have they kept so much patience on the Hell Fire?” (2:175)
اَفَمَنْ زُيِّنَ لَه سُوْۤءُ عَمَلِه فَرَاٰهُ حَسَنًا فَاِنَّ اللهَ يُضِلُّ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَيَهْدِىْ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ فَلَا تَذْهَبْ نَفْسُكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسَرٰتٍ ط اِنَّ اللهَ عَلِيْمٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُوْنَ
“What of him whose evil deed was made attractive to him, and so he regards it as good? Verily Allah leads astray whomever He wills, and He guides whomever He wills. Therefore, do not waste yourself sorrowing over them. Certainly, Allah knows what they do.” (35:8)
وَلَوْ شَآءَ اللهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ اُمَّةً وَّاحِدَةً وَّلٰكِنْ يُّضِلُّ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَيَهْدِىْ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَلَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُوْنَ
“Had Allah willed, He would have made you one congregation, but He leaves astray whom He wills, and He guides whom He wills. And you will surely be questioned about what you used to do.” (16:93)
لَّقَدْ اَنْزَلْنَاۤ اٰيٰتٍ مُّبَيِّنٰتٍ وَاللهُ يَهْدِىْ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ اِلٰى صِرٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ
“We sent down enlightening revelations, and Allah guides whomever He wills to a straight path. (24:46)
اِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسٰجِدَ اللهِ مَنْ اٰمَنْ بِاللهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ وَاَقَامَ الصَّلَوٰةَ وَاٰتَى الزَّكَوٰةَ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ اِلَّا اللهَ فَعَسٰىۤ ط اُوْلٰٓئِكَ انْ يَّكُوْنُوْا مِنَ الْمُهْتَدِيْنَ
“Only those should attend Allah’s places of worship regularly who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and establish prayer, and pay Zakat (poor-due), and fear none but Allah. These are most likely to be guided.” (9:18)
وَيَزِيْدُ اللهُ الَّذِيْنَ اهْتَدَوْا هُدًى ۗ وَالْبٰقِيٰتُ الصّٰلِحٰتُ خَيْرٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَّخَيْرٌ مَّرَدًّا
“Allah increases guidance of those who accept guidance. And the lasting righteous deeds are the best as a reward from your Lord, and as the best outcome too.” (19:76)
وَمَنْ يَهْدِ اللهُ فَهُوَ الْمُهْتَدِ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَهُمْ اَوْلِيَآءَ مِنْ دُوْنِه
“Whomever Allah guides is the guided one. And whomever He leaves astray—for them you will find no protectors apart from Him …” (17:97)
مَنْ يُّضْلِلِ اللهُ فَلَا هَادِىَ لَه وَيَذَرُهُمْ فِىْ طُغْيٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُوْنَ
“Whomever Allah misguides has no guide. And He leaves them blundering in their transgression.” (7:186)
وَيَزِيْدُ اللهُ الَّذِيْنَ اهْتَدَوْا هُدًى وَالْبٰقِيٰتُ الصّٰلِحٰتُ خَيْرٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَّخَيْرٌ مَّرَدًّا
“And Allah will increase the guidance of those who are guided: and the lasting Good Deeds are the best in the sight of your Lord, as rewards, and the best in returns too.” (19:76)
وَ اِذَا قِیْلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوْا مَاۤ اَنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ قَالُوْا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَاۤ اَلْفَیْنَا عَلَیْهِ اٰبَآءَنَا ؕ اَوَ لَوْ كَانَ اٰبَآؤُهُمْ لَا یَعْقِلُوْنَ شَیْئًا وَّ لَا یَہْتَدُوْنَ
“And when it is said to them, ‘Follow what Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘We will follow what we found our ancestors following.’ Even if their ancestors understood nothing, and were not guided?” (2:170)
وَّمَنْ يَّهْدِ اللهُ فَمَا لَه مِنْ مُّضِلٍّ اَلَيْسَ اللهُ بِعَزِيْزٍ ذِى انْتِقَامٍ
“And whoever Allah guides, for him there is none to mislead. Is Allah not Powerful and Vengeful?” (39:37)
اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یَہْدِی الْقَوْمَ الْفٰسِقِیْنَ
“……. Truly Allah guides not a rebellious transgressing nation” (63:6)
مَنْ یَّہْدِ اللّٰهُ فَهُوَ الْمُہْتَدِ ۚ وَمَنْ یُّضْلِلْ فَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَہٗ وَلِیًّا مُّرْشِدًا
“…… The person whom Allah guides is truly guided; but the one whom He misguides, for him you will find no guiding friend.” (18:17)
Du’a seeking Hedayah
اِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَاِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِيْنُ اِهْدِنَا الصِّرٰطَ الْمُسْتَقِيْمَ صِرٰطَ الَّذِيْنَ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوْبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّآلِّيْنَ
“You alone do we worship and You alone do we solicit for help. Guide us to the straight path. The path of those You have blessed, not of those who have been doomed by Your wrath, nor of those who are misguided.” (1:5 – 7)
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوْبَنَا بَعْدَ اِذْ هَدَیْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ رَحْمَۃً ۚ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الْوَهَابُ
“Our Lord, do not cause our hearts to swerve after You have guided us, and bestow on us mercy from Your presence; You are the Giver of all things.” (3:8)
About Islam
The word “Islam” has two sets of meanings: one is “submission,” “surrender,” or “obedience,” and the other is “peace.” The full meaning of Islam thus implies surrendering to Almighty Allah with complete submission and allegiance to Him to attain peace in this life and the afterlife. ‘Allah is the One and Only True God and there is no True God except Him’ – is the core message of Islam that guides the heart and soul of every Muslim. The Muslims are those who completely surrender their free-will to the will of Allah (SWT) so as to make their life meaningful and worthwhile both in this world and in the hereafter.
Islam is not a new religion – its advent was as old as Adam (), the father of mankind and the first Prophet of Allah (SWT). ‘Tawheed’ (Monotheism) – the doctrine or belief that there is only one God to be worshipped, was the core message of all the prophets and messengers to humanity. The basic message of all of them was the same, – ‘There is no god but Allah, He is the only God worthy of worship.’ However, their ‘Shariah’ (the codes of life) were different from one another according to the needs and circumstances of their respective times.
The final stage of Hedayah is to admit to Islam through wholehearted submission to Allah (SWT) by pronouncing Shahada (Testimony): “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad (ﷺ) is the slave and messenger of Allah.” This is the basic statement of the Islamic faith. The Muslims are those who accept Islam as their religion and complete code of life, and practice it with full obedience. This complete shape of Islam helps one attain peace and success in this world and in the hereafter.
We may know about Islam clearly from a Hadith-e-Jibreel. As narrated by Umar Ibn Khattab (): ‘Once Angel Jibreel () came to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) while he was surrounded by his followers and asked him, ‘O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.’ Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Islam is to testify that there is no true god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; to establish Salat (prayer); to give Zakat (charity); to fast in the month of Ramadan, and to perform the Hajj pilgrimage to the House if one can find a way.’ Jibreel () said, ‘You have spoken truthfully,’ and then he asked, “Tell me about Imaan (Faith).’ Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in the Divine Decree (al-Qadr), both its good and its evil.’ Jibreel () said, ‘You have spoken truthfully, so tell me about ‘Ihsan’ (Excellence).’ Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Ihsan is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for though you do not see Him, He surely sees you.’ (Sahih Muslim).
Islam: The Only Chosen Deen of Allah (SWT)
“Definitely the religion with Allah is only Islam……” (3:19)
Islam is the chosen Deen (way of life) prescribed by Allah (SWT) for mankind. It is the only recognized Deen in the sight of Allah as it shows the perfect and complete way of life that covers all aspects of human life to achieve true successes in this world and in the hereafter. In the past, a series of Prophets and Messengers were sent by Allah (SWT) to show true guidance to their respective communities whenever ignorance and vain desires strayed them from their Deen. In continuation, Allah (SWT) sent Muhammad (ﷺ), the last and final Prophet and Messenger with His chosen Deen – Islam, as well as His Book – the Holy Qur’an, not only for his community but also for the whole of humanity.
The related verses on this topic are quoted below:
فَاَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّيْنِ حَنِيْفًا ۚ فِطْرَتَ اللهِ الَّتِىْ فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَاۚ لَا تَبْدِيْلَ لِخَلْقِ اللهِ ذٰلِكَ الدِّيْنُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلٰكِنَّ اَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ
“So, devote yourself only to this religion of ‘Haneef’ (Islam – the pure one) – the natural instinct from Allah that He has instilled in mankind. There can be no alteration in Allah’s creation (the natural inclination towards Islam). This is the true religion, but most people do not know.” (30:30)
اِنَّ الدِّيْنَ عِنْدَ اللهِ الْاِسْلمُ
“Definitely the religion with Allah is only Islam……” (3:19)
الْيَوْمَ اَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِيْنَكُمْ وَاَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِىْ وَرَضِيْتُ لَكُمُ الْاِسْلٰمَ دِيْنًا…
“…Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My bounties upon you and chosen Islam as your Deen (religion)…” (5:3)
وَمَاۤ اَرْسَلْنٰكَ اِلَّا كَآفَّةً لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيْرًا وَّنَذِيْرًا وَّلٰكِنَّ اَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ
“We sent you only universally to all people, a herald and warner, but most people do not know.” (34:28)
اِنْ هُوَ اِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعٰلَمِيْنَ لِمَنْ شَآءَ مِنْكُمْ اَنْ يَّسْتَقِيْمَ
“Indeed this (Qur’an) is a great Message to (all people of) the Worlds; (beneficial) for those who amongst you wish to lead (themselves) to straight path.” (81:27 – 28)
وَمَنْ يَّبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْاِسْلٰمِ دِيْنًا فَلَنْ يُّقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوْ فِى الْاٰخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخٰسِرِيْنَ
“Whoever seeks other than Islam as a religion, it will not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter, he will be among the losers.” (3:85)
اَفَغَيْرَ دِيْنِ اللهِ يَبْغُوْنَ وَلَه اَسْلَمَ مَنْ فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَّكَرْهًا وَّاِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُوْنَ
“Do they seek for other than the Religion of Allah – while all creatures in the heavens and on earth willingly or unwillingly have bowed to His Will (accepted Islam), and to Him shall they all be brought back.” (3:83)
هُوَ الَّذِىۤ اَرْسَلَ رَسُوْلَه بِالْهُدٰى وَدِيْنِ الْحَقِّ لِيْظْهِرَه عَلَى الدِّيْنِ كُلِّه وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُوْنَ
“It is He who sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, in order to make it prevail over all religions, even though the idolaters dislike it.” (9:33)
ثُمَّ جَعَلْنٰكَ عَلٰى شَرِيْعَةٍ مِّنَ الْاَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْهَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ اَهْوَآءَ الَّذِيْنَ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ
“Then We set you upon a special pathway (of Islamic Shariah), so follow it, and do not follow the whims of those who are ignorant.” (45:18)
شَرَعَ لَكُمْ مِّنَ الدِّيْنِ مَا وَصّٰى بِه نُوْحًا وَالَّذِىۤ اَوْحَيْنَاۤ اِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِه اِبْرٰهِيْمَ وَمُوْسٰى وَعِيْسٰۤى اَنْ اَقِيْمُوْا الدِّيْنَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوْا فِيْهِ….
“He prescribed for you the same religion He enjoined upon Nooh, and what We inspired to you, and what We enjoined upon Ibrahim, and Musa, and Isa that: ‘You shall uphold the religion, and create no division therein’……..” (42:13)
قُلْ یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّاسُ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ فِیْ شَکٍّ مِّنْ دِیْنِیْ فَلَاۤ اَعْبُدُ الَّذِیْنَ تَعْبُدُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ وَلٰكِنْ اَعْبُدُ اللّٰهَ الَّذِیْ یَتَوَفّٰىکُمْۚۖ وَاُمِرْتُ اَنْ اَکُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ وَاَنْ اَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّیْنِ حَنِیْفًا ۚ وَلَا تَکُوْنَنَّ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِیْنَ
“(O Prophet) Say, ‘O people, if you are in doubt about my religion – (know) then I do not worship those you worship apart from Allah. But I worship Allah, the one who will terminate your lives. And I was commanded to be of the believers.’ ‘(O Prophet) And dedicate yourself to the true religion – turning off your face from all other religions —and never be of those who ascribe partners (to Allah)’.” (10:104 – 105)
قُلْ اِنَّنِىْ هَدٰىنِىْ رَبِّىۤ اِلٰى صِرٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ دِيْنًا قِيْمًا مِّلَّةَ اِبْرٰهِيْمَ حَنِيْفًا وَّمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ
“Say, ‘Certainly, my Lord has guided me to the straight path, an upright religion – the pure Deen of Ibrahim who was not a polytheist’.” (6:161)
وَجَاهِدُوْا فِى اللهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِه هُوَ اجْتَبٰىكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى الدِّيْنِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ مِّلَّةَ اَبِيْكُمْ اِبْرٰهِيْمَ هُوَ سَمّٰىكُمُ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَفِىْ هٰذَا لِيْكُوْنَ الرَّسُوْلُ شَهِيْدًا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُوْنُوْا شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ فَاَقِيْمُوْا الصَّلَوٰةَ وَاٰتُوْا الزَّكَوٰةَ وَاعْتَصِمُوْا بِاللهِ هُوَ مَوْلٰىكُمْ فَنِعْمَ الْمَوْلٰى وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيْرُ
“And strive for Allah as you ought to strive for Him. He has chosen you and has not burdened you with hardline in religion – the faith of your father Ibrahim. It is He who named you Muslims before, and in this (Qur’an) – so that the Messenger may be a witness over you, and you may be witnesses over the people. So, pray regularly, and give regular charity, and hold fast to Allah. He is your Protector. What an excellent Protector, and what an excellent Helper.” (22:78)
Islam: A Religion of Peace and Submission
The Arabic word “Islam” means submission and in the religious context, that implies ‘submission to the will of Allah.’ It is derived from the root term “silm” – which literally means peace. So, Islam is a code of life that refers to the achievement of peace through complete submission to Allah’s will. Thus, wholehearted submission to Almighty Allah will create peace in this world and, at the same time, bring eternal peace and salvation in the hereafter. The universal message of Islam lies in the following two verses:
قُلْ اٰمَنَّا بِاللّٰهِ وَمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ عَلَیْنَا وَمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ عَلٰۤی اِبْرٰهِیْمَ وَاِسْمٰعِیْلَ وَاِسْحٰقَ وَیَعْقُوْبَ وَالْاَسْبَاطِ وَمَاۤ اُوْتِیَ مُوْسٰی وَعِیْسٰی وَالنَّبِیُّوْنَ مِنْ رَّبِّهِمْ ۪ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَیْنَ اَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ ۫ وَنَحْنُ لَہٗ مُسْلِمُوْنَ
“Say (O Prophet), ‘We believe in Allah, and in what was revealed to us; and in what was revealed to Ibrahim, and Ismail, and Ishaq, and Yaqoob, and the descendants; and in what was given to Musa, and Isa, and the other prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.” (3:84)
قُلْ یٰۤاَهْلَ الْكِتٰبِ تَعَالَوْا اِلٰی كَلِمَۃٍ سَوَآءٍۢ بَیْنَنَا وَبَیْنَکُمْ اَلَّا نَعْبُدَ اِلَّا اللّٰهَ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِہٖ شَیْئًا وَلَا یَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا اَرْبَابًا مِّنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ ؕ فَاِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقُوْلُوا اشْهَدُوْا بِاَنَّا مُسْلِمُوْنَ
“Say (O Prophet), ‘O People of the Book, come to a term that is just common between us and you: that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate nothing with Him, and that none of us takes others as lords besides Him.’ And if they turn away, say, ‘Bear witness that we have surrendered (to Allah’s command)’.” (3:64)
The above two verses show that the basic beliefs of Islam is the same for all prophets and messengers of Allah although the Shariah (Code of Life) of each of them was somewhat different due to passing of time and changed circumstances.
The following verses as quoted below give the clear view of Islam:
قُلْ اِنَّ صَلَاتِىْ وَنُسُكِىْ وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِىْ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَه وَبِذٰلِكَ اُمِرْتُ وَاَنَا اَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ
“Say (O Prophet), ‘My prayer and my worship, and my life and my death, are devoted to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. He has no partner. Thus, I am commanded, and I am the first of those who submit.” (6:162 – 163)
فَمَنْ يُّرِدِ اللهُ اَنْ يَّهْدِيَه يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَه لِلْاِسْلٰمِ وَمَنْ يُّرِدْ اَنْ يُّضِلَّه يَجْعَلْ صَدْرَه ضَيِّقًا حَرَجًا كَاَنَّمَا يَصَّعَّدُ فِى السَّمَآءِ كَذٰلِكَ يَجْعَلُ اللهُ الرِّجْسَ عَلَى الَّذِيْنَ لَايُؤْمِنُوْنَ
“Then whomever Allah desires to guide, He spreads open his heart to Islam; and whomever He desires to misguide, He makes his heart narrow, constricted, as though he were climbing up the sky. Allah thus lays defilement upon those who do not believe.” (6:125)
بَلٰى مَنْ اَسْلَمَ وَجْهَه لِلّٰهِ وَهُوْ مُحْسِنٌ فَلَه اَجْرُه عِنْدَ رَبِّه وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُوْنَ
“In fact, whoever submits himself to Allah, and is a doer of good, will have his reward with his Lord—they have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve.” (2:112)
اَفَمَنْ شَرَحَ اللّٰهُ صَدْرَہٗ لِلْاِسْلَامِ فَهُوَ عَلٰی نُوْرٍ مِّنْ رَّبِّہٖ ؕ فَوَیْلٌ لِّلْقٰسِیَۃِ قُلُوْبُهُمْ مِّنْ ذِکْرِ اللّٰهِ ؕ اُولٰٓئِكَ فِیْ ضَلٰلٍ مُّبِیْنٍ
“What about someone whose heart Allah has opened to Islam, so that he follows a light from His Lord? Woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the mention of Allah. Those are in manifest error.” (39:22)
يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا ادْخُلُوْا فِى السِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً وَّلَا تَتَّبِعُوْا خُطُوْٰتِ الشَّيْطٰنِ اِنَّه لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِيْنٌ
“O Believers! Enter into Islam wholeheartedly, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan; he is to you an outright enemy.” (2:208)
قُلْ اِنِّىۤ اُمِرْتُ اَنْ اَعْبُدَ اللهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ الدِّيْنَ وَاُمِرْتُ لِاَنْ اَكُوْنَ اَوَّلَ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ
“(O Prophet) Say, ‘I am commanded to worship Allah, devoting my religion exclusively to Him. And I am commanded to be the first of those who submit.” (39:11 – 12)
يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اِنْ تُطِيْعُوْا فَرِيْقًا مِّنَ الَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُوْا الْكِتٰبَ يَرُدُّوْكُمْ بَعْدَ اِيْمٰنِكُمْ كٰفِرِيْنَ وَكَيْفَ تَكْفُرُوْنَ وَاَنْتُمْ تُتْلٰى عَلَيْكُمْ اٰيٰتُ اللهِ وَفِيْكُمْ رَسُوْلُه ط وَمَنْ يَّعْتَصِمْ بِاللهِ فَقَدْ هُدِىَ اِلٰى صِرٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ
“O Believers! If you obey any group of those who were given the Scripture, they will turn you, after your belief, into disbelievers. And how could you disbelieve, when Allah’s revelations are being recited to you, and among you is His Messenger? Whoever holds fast to Allah has been guided to a straight path.” (3:100 – 101)
وَمَنْ يُّسْلِمْ وَجْهَه اِلَى اللهِ وَهُوْ مُحْسِنٌ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقٰى ط وَاِلَى اللهِ عٰقِبَةُ الْاُمُوْرِ
“Whoever submits his face (surrenders) wholly towards Allah, and is a doer of good, has grasped the most trustworthy handle. With Allah rests the outcome of all events.” (31:22)
يٰۤاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَكُمُ الرَّسُوْلُ بِالْحَقِّ مِنْ رَّبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامِنُوْا خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ وَاِنْ تَكْفُرُوْا فَاِنَّ لِلّٰهِ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَكَانَ اللهُ عَلِيْمًا حَكِيْمًا
“O mankind! Messenger has come to you with the message of truth from your Lord, so believe in it, it is the best for you, if you disbelieve, (mind that) Allah belongs whatever exists in the heavens and in the earth, Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.” (4:170)
وَمَاۤ اُمِرُوْۤا اِلَّا لِیَعْبُدُوا اللّٰهَ مُخْلِصِیْنَ لَهُ الدِّیْنَ ۬ۙ حُنَفَآءَ وَیُقِیْمُوا الصَّلٰوۃَ وَیُؤْتُوا الزَّکٰوۃَ وَذٰلِكَ دِیْنُ الْقَیِّمَۃِ
“They were commanded only to worship Allah, devoting their faith to Him alone, and to practice regular prayer, and to pay Zakat (poor-due). That is the upright religion.” (98:5)
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْرِى نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَآءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللهِ وَاللهُ رَءُوْفٌۢ بِالْعِبَادِ يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا ادْخُلُوْا فِى السِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً وَّلَا تَتَّبِعُوْا خُطُوْٰتِ الشَّيْطٰنِ اِنَّه لَكُمْ عَدُوْ مُّبِيْنٌ فَاِنْ زَلَلْتُمْ مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْكُمُ الْبَيِّنٰتُ فَاعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللهَ عَزِيْزٌ حَكِيْمٌ
“And among the people is he who sells himself seeking Allah’s pleasure. Allah is kind towards the servants. ‘O you who believe! Enter into submission, wholeheartedly, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan; he is to you an outright enemy. But if you slip after the proofs have come to you, know that Allah is Powerful and Wise’.” (2:207 – 209)
يٰۤايُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا اتَّقُوْا اللهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِه وَلَا تَمُوْتُنَّ اِلَّا وَاَنْتُم مُّسْلِمُوْنَ
“O Believers! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except as Muslims.” (3:102)
وَهُوَ اللهُ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ فِى الْاُوْلٰى وَالْاٰخِرَةِ وَلَهُ الْحُكْمُ وَاِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُوْنَ
“And He is Allah. There is no god but He. To Him belongs all praise in this life, and in the next. And His is the command, and to Him you will be returned.” (28:70)
وَاعْتَصِمُوْا بِحَبْلِ اللهِ جَمِيْعًا وَّلَا تَفَرَّقُوْا وَاذْكُرُوْا نِعْمَتَ اللهِ عَلَيْكُمْ اِذْ كُنْتُمْ اَعْدَاۤءً فَاَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوْبِكُمْ فَاَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِه اِخْوٰنًا وَكُنْتُمْ عَلٰى شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَاَنْقَذَكُمْ مِّنْهَاط كَذٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللهُ لَكُمْ اٰيٰتِه لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُوْنَ
“And hold fast to the rope of Allah, altogether, and do not become divided. And remember Allah’s blessings upon you; how you were enemies, and He reconciled your hearts, and by His grace you became brethren. And you were on the brink of a pit of fire, and He saved you from it. Allah thus clarifies His revelations for you, so that you may be guided.” (3:103)
وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ اُمَّةٌ يَّدْعُوْنَ اِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَاْمُرُوْنَ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَاُوْلٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ
“And there should be a group among you to call towards what is good, and command what is righteous, and forbid from evil. These are indeed the successful ones.” (3:104)
كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ اُمَّةٍ اُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَاْمُرُوْنَ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللهِ ۗ وَلَوْ اٰمَنْ اَهْلُ الْكِتٰبِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُم مِّنْهُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ وَاَكْثَرُهُمُ الْفٰسِقُوْنَ
“You are the best community that ever emerged for humanity: you advocate what is moral, and forbid what is immoral, and believe in Allah. Had the People of the Scripture believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are the believers, but most of them are sinners.” (3:110)
وَمَنْ اَظْلَمُ مِمَنِ افْتَرٰى عَلَى اللهِ الْكَذِبَ وَهُوَ يُدْعٰىۤ اِلَى الْاِسْلٰمِ وَاللهُ لَا يَهْدِى الْقَوْمَ الظّٰلِمِيْنَ يُرِيْدُوْنَ لِيْطْفِـُٔوْا نُوْرَ اللهِ بِاَفْوٰهِهِمْ وَاللهُ مُتِمُّ نُوْرِه وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكٰفِرُوْنَ هُوَ الَّذِىۤ اَرْسَلَ رَسُوْلَه بِالْهُدٰى وَدِيْنِ الْحَقِّ لِيْظْهِرَه عَلَى الدِّيْنِ كُلِّه وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُوْنَ
“And who is a more offender than he who attributes falsehoods to Allah, when he is being invited to Islam? Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. They want to extinguish Allah’s Light with their mouths; but Allah will manifest His Light fully, even though the disbelievers dislike it. It is He who sent His Messenger with the guidance and the true religion, to make it prevail over all religions, even though the idolaters dislike it.” (61:7 – 9)
وَالَّذِيْنَ اجْتَنَبُوْا الطّٰغُوْتَ اَنْ يَّعْبُدُوْهَا وَاَنَابُوْۤا اِلَى اللهِ لَهُمُ الْبُشْرٰى فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ الَّذِيْنَ يَسْتَمِعُوْنَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُوْنَ اَحْسَنَه فَاُوْلٰٓئِكَ الَّذِيْنَ هَدٰىهُمُ اللهُ وَاُوْلٰٓئِكَ هُمْ اُوْلُوْا الْاَلْبَابِ
“As for those who avoid the worship of Tagut (satanic forces), and devote themselves to Allah for them is the good news. So, give good news to My servants. Those who listen attentively to the Words (of Allah and His Prophet), and follow the best of it. These are the ones whom Allah has guided. And these are those who possess intellect.” (39:17 – 18)
اَللهُ نَزَّلَ اَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيْثِ كِتٰبًا مُّتَشٰبِهًا مَّثَانِىَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُوْدُ الَّذِيْنَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِيْنُ جُلُوْدُهُمْ وَقُلُوْبُهُمْ اِلٰى ذِكْرِ اللهِ ذٰلِكَ هُدَى اللهِ يَهْدِىْ بِه مَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَمَنْ يُّضْلِلِ اللهُ فَمَا لَه مِنْ هَادٍ
“Allah has sent down the most superb speech: A Book consistent and paired, which is often repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver with it, then their skins and their hearts soften up to the remembrance of Allah. Such is Allah’s guidance; He guides with it whomever He wills. But whomever Allah leaves astray, for him there is no guide.” (39:23)
Islam: The Straight Path of Allah (SWT)
“And this (Islam) is the straight path of your Lord.” (6:126)
Islam leads humanity towards “Siratul Mustaqim,” the straightest path to attaining closeness to Allah (SWT), the Lord of the Universe. The religion of Islam shows the straight path that Almighty Allah has chosen for mankind. This straight path is the enlightened, pure, and flawless one, and it is clearly distinct from other ones. The straight path of Islam protects humans from all types of falsehood, deception, and loss. Islam, as the righteous path, guides humankind to achieve success both in this world and in the hereafter. According to a Hadith narrated by Abdullah Ibn Masood () wherein he said that the Messenger of Allah drew a straight line with his hand (in the sand) and then said, “This is Allah’s path, leading straight.” He then drew lines to the right and left of that line and said, “These are the other paths, on each path, there is a Satan who calls to it.” He then recited the verse: “And Certainly this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; And do not follow the other paths, lest they divert you from His path….” (6:153).
Every day in every prayer (Salat) Muslims seek and beg their Lord Allah (SWT) saying: “(O our Lord) Guide us towards the straight path – the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not the path of those who have evoked Your wrath or of those who have gone astray.” (1:4-7). According to Hadith-e-Qudsi, in response to this prayer, Allah says: ‘This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he has asked for.’ Thus, Allah (SWT) has granted Islam the straight path so that they can live a righteous life on this earth and achieve great success in the hereafter. The verses related to the above topic are cited below:
اِنَّ اللّٰهَ هُوَ رَبِّیْ وَ رَبُّکُمْ فَاعْبُدُوْهُ ؕ هٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِیْمٌ
“For Allah, He is my Lord and your Lord: so, worship Him: this is a Straight Way.” (43:64)
وَهٰذَا صِرٰطُ رَبِّكَ مُسْتَقِيْمًا قَدْ فَصَّلْنَا الْاٰيٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَذَّكَّرُوْنَ لَهُمْ دَارُ السَّلٰمِ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوْا يَعْمَلُوْنَ
“And this (Islam) is the straight path of your Lord. We have explained the revelations in detail for people who pay heed to my advice. For them is the Home of Peace with their Lord, and He is their Protecting Friend – because of what they used to do.” (6:126 – 127)
وَنُيَسِّرُكَ لِلْيُسْرٰى
“And We will make it easy for you (to follow) the simple (Path)” (87:8)
وَاِنَّكَ لَتَدْعُوْهُمْ اِلٰی صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِیْمٍ وَاِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ لَا یُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِالْاٰخِرَۃِ عَنِ الصِّرَاطِ لَنٰكِبُوْنَ
“But verily you call them to the Straight Path; And verily those who do not believe in the Hereafter, have deviated from that (straight) Path.” (23:73 – 74)
فَاسْتَمْسِكْ بِالَّذِىۤ اُوْحِىَ اِلَيْكَ اِنَّكَ عَلٰى صِرٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ
“So, hold fast to what is revealed to you (O Muhammad ﷺ). Verily you are upon a straight path.” (43:43)
ذٰلِكَ الْكِتٰبُ لَا رَیْبَ ۚۖۛ فِیْهِ ۚۛ هُدًی لِّلْمُتَّقِیْنَ الَّذِیْنَ یُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِالْغَیْبِ وَیُقِیْمُوْنَ الصَّلٰوۃَ وَ مِمَّا رَزَقْنٰهُمْ یُنْفِقُوْنَ وَالَّذِیْنَ یُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ اِلَیْكَ وَمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ ج وَبِالْاٰخِرَۃِ هُمْ یُوْقِنُوْنَ اُولٰٓئِكَ عَلٰی هُدًی مِّنْ رَّبِّهِمْق وَاُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ
“This is the Book; without doubt, in it there is guidance sure to those who fear Allah. Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them; And who believe in the Revelation sent to you, and sent before your time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter? They are on (true) guidance, from their Lord, and it is these who will surely succeed.” (2:2 – 5)
يٰۤاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ بُرْهٰنٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّكُمْ وَاَنْزَلْنَاۤ اِلَيْكُمْ نُوْرًا مُّبِيْنًا فَاَمَّا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا بِاللهِ وَاعْتَصَمُوْا بِه فَسَيُدْخِلُهُمْ فِىْ رَحْمَةٍ مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلٍ وَيَهْدِيْهِمْ اِلَيْهِ صِرٰطًا مُّسْتَقِيْمًا
“O mankind! surely there has come to you a convincing proof from your Lord: For We have sent unto you a light (that is) manifest. Then those who believe in Allah, and hold fast to Him, – soon will He admit them to mercy and grace from Himself, and guide them to Himself by a straight path.” (4:174 – 175)
قَالُوْا یٰقَوْمَنَاۤ اِنَّا سَمِعْنَا كِتٰبًا اُنْزِلَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ مُوْسٰی مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَیْنَ یَدَیْهِ یَہْدِیْۤ اِلَی الْحَقِّ وَاِلٰی طَرِیْقٍ مُّسْتَقِیْمٍ
“They (a group of Jinn) said, ‘O our people, we have heard a Scripture, sent down after Musa, confirming what came before it. It guides to the truth, and to a straight path.” (46:30)
قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَىِّ فَمَنْ يَّكْفُرْ بِالطّٰغُوْتِ وَيُؤْمِنۢ بِاللهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقٰى لَا انْفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَاللهُ سَمِيْعٌ عَلِيْمٌ
“……. The right path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever renounces ‘Tagoot’ (evil force) and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handle; which does not break. Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (2:256)
ذٰلِكَ هُدَى اللهِ يَهْدِىْ بِه مَنْ يَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِه وَلَوْ اَشْرَكُوْا لَحَبِطَ عَنْهُمْ مَّا كَانُوْا يَعْمَلُوْنَ
“This (Deen Islam) is the path of Allah. He guides with it whomever He wills of His servants. Had they committed ‘Shirk’ (partnership with Allah), their deeds would have gone in vain.” (6:88)
وَكَذٰلِكَ اَوْحَيْنَاۤ اِلَيْكَ رُوْحًا مِّنْ اَمْرِنَا مَا كُنْتَ تَدْرِىْ مَا الْكِتٰبُ وَلَا الْاِيْمٰنُ وَلٰكِنْ جَعَلْنٰهُ نُوْرًا نَّهْدِىْ بِه مَنْ نَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا وَاِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِىۤ اِلٰى صِرٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ صِرٰطِ اللهِ الَّذِىْ لَه مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الْاَرْضِ اَلَاۤ اِلَى اللهِ تَصِيْرُ الْاُمُوْرُ
“In this manner we sent to you a messenger of wahi (revelations) by Our command. You did not know what the Scripture is, nor what faith is, but We made it (Qur’an) a light, with which We guide whomever We will of Our servants. You surely guide to a straight path. The path of Allah, to Whom belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. Indeed, to Allah all matters revert.” (42:52 – 53)
وَاَنَّ هٰذَا صِرٰطِىْ مُسْتَقِيْمًا فَاتَّبِعُوْهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوْا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَنْ سَبِيْلِه ذٰلِكُمْ وَصّٰىكُمْ بِه لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُوْنَ
“(Tell them O Prophet) Certainly, this is My straight path, so follow it. And do not follow the other paths, lest they divert you from His path. All this He has enjoined upon you, that you may refrain from wrongdoing. (6:153)
اَفَاَنْتَ تُسْمِعُ الصُّمَّ اَوْ تَهْدِى الْعُمْىَ وَمَنْ كَانَ فِىْ ضَلٰلٍ مُّبِيْنٍ فَاِمَّا نَذْهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَاِنَّا مِنْهُمْ مُّنْتَقِمُوْنَ اَوْ نُرِيَنَّكَ الَّذِىْ وَعَدْنٰهُمْ فَاِنَّا عَلَيْهِمْ مُّقْتَدِرُوْنَ فَاسْتَمْسِكْ بِالَّذِىۤ اُوْحِىَ اِلَيْكَ اِنَّكَ عَلٰى صِرٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ
“Can you make the deaf hear, or guide the blind, and him who is in evident error? Even if We take you away, still We will take retribution from them. Or show you what (punishment) We have promised to them; for We have absolute power over them. So, adhere to what is revealed to you. Surely, you are upon a straight path.” (43:40 – 43)
اِنَّا فَتَحْنَا لَكَ فَتْحًا مُّبِیْنًا لِّیَغْفِرَ لَكَ اللّٰهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْۢبِكَ وَمَا تَاَخَّرَ وَیُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَہٗ عَلَیْكَ وَیَہْدِیَكَ صِرَاطًا مُّسْتَقِیْمًا وَ یَنْصُرَكَ اللّٰهُ نَصْرًا عَزِیْزًا
“We have granted you a clear victory. That Allah may forgive you your sin, past and to come, and complete His favors upon you, and guide you in a straight path. And help you with a solid support.” (48:1 – 3)
قُلْ اِنَّنِىْ هَدٰىنِىْ رَبِّىۤ اِلٰى صِرٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ دِيْنًا قِيْمًا مِّلَّةَ اِبْرٰهِيْمَ حَنِيْفًا وَّمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ
“Say (O Prophet), ‘My Lord has guided me to a straight path, an upright religion, the creed of Ibrahim the Monotheist, who was not a polytheist’.” (6:161)
وَیَرَی الَّذِیْنَ اُوْتُوا الْعِلْمَ الَّذِیْۤ اُنْزِلَ اِلَیْكَ مِنْ رَّبِّكَ هُوَ الْحَقَّ ۙ وَ یَہْدِیْۤ اِلٰی صِرَاطِ الْعَزِیْزِ الْحَمِیْدِ
“And those to whom knowledge has come see that the (Revelation) sent down to you from you Lord – that is the Truth, and that it guides to the Path of the Exalted (in might), Worthy of all praise.” (34:6)
قُلْ هَلْ مِنْ شُرَكَآئِكُمْ مَّنْ يَّهْدِىْۤ اِلَى الْحَقِّ قُلِ اللهُ يَهْدِىْ لِلْحَقِّ اَفَمَنْ يَّهْدِىۤ اِلَى الْحَقِّ اَحَقُّ اَنْ يُتَّبَعَ اَمَّنْ لَّا يَهِدِّىۤ اِلَّاۤ اَنْ يُّهْدٰى فَمَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُوْنَ وَمَا يَتَّبِعُ اَكْثَرُهُمْ اِلَّا ظَنًّاط اِنَّ الظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِىْ مِنَ الْحَقِّ شَيْـًٔا ط اِنَّ اللهَ عَلِيْمٌۢ بِمَا يَفْعَلُوْنَ
“Say, ‘Can any of your partners guide to the truth?’ Say, ‘Allah guides to the truth. Is He who guides to the truth more worthy of being followed, or he who does not guide, unless he himself is guided? What is the matter with you? How do you judge?’ Indeed, most of them follow nothing but assumptions; and assumptions avail nothing against the truth. Allah is fully aware of what they do.” (10:35 – 36)
وَاللهُ يَدْعُوْۤا اِلٰى دَارِ السَّلٰمِ وَيَهْدِى مَنْ يَّشَآءُ اِلٰى صِرٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ لِّلَّذِيْنَ اَحْسَنُوْا الْحُسْنٰى وَزِيَادَةٌ وَلَا يَرْهَقُ وُجُوْهَهُمْ قَتَرٌ وَّلَا ذِلَّةٌ فَاُوْلٰٓئِكَ اَصْحٰبُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيْهَا خٰلِدُوْنَ
“Allah invites to the Home of Peace and guides whomever He wills to a straight path. For those who have done good is goodly (reward), and more. Neither gloom nor shame will come over their faces. These are the inhabitants of Paradise, abiding therein forever.” (10:25 – 26)
مُنِيْبِيْنَ اِلَيْهِ وَاتَّقُوْهُ وَاَقِيْمُوْا الصَّلَوٰةَ وَلَا تَكُوْنُوْا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ
“(All of you) Turn towards Him – and be conscious of Him, and perform the prayer, and do not be of the idolaters.” (30:31)
اِنَّ سَعْيَكُمْ لَشَتّٰى فَاَمَّا مَنْ اَعْطٰى وَاتَّقٰى وَصَدَّقَ بِالْحُسْنٰى فَسَنُيَسِّرُه لِلْيُسْرٰى وَاَمَّا مَنْ ۢ بَخِلَ وَاسْتَغْنٰى وَكَذَّبَ بِالْحُسْنٰى فَسَنُيَسِّرُه لِلْعُسْرٰى وَمَا يُغْنِىْ عَنْهُ مَالُه اِذَا تَرَدّٰىۤ اِنَّ عَلَيْنَا لَلْهُدٰى وَاِنَّ لَنَا لَلْاٰخِرَةَ وَالْاُوْلٰى
“Verily your endeavors are indeed diverse. As for him who donates and has “Taqwa” (righteousness). And believe in the best words. We will ease his way towards comfort. But as for him who is stingy and careless. And reject the best words. We will ease his way towards difficulty. And his money will not avail him when he falls. It is upon Us to guide. And Hereafter and this First one (this world) belong to Us.” (92:4 – 13)
وَلِيْعْلَمَ الَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُوْا الْعِلْمَ اَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَّبِّكَ فَيُؤْمِنُوْا بِه فَتُخْبِتَ لَه قُلُوْبُهُمْ ۗ وَاِنَّ اللهَ لَهَادِ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْٓا اِلٰى صِرٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ
“And so that those endowed with knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord, and so believe in it, and their hearts soften to it. Certainly, Allah guides those who believe to the straight path.” (22:54)
وَاِنَّكَ لَتَدْعُوْهُمْ اِلٰى صِرٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ وَاِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ لَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِالْاٰخِرَةِ عَنِ الصِّرٰطِ لَنٰكِبُوْنَ وَلَوْ رَحِمْنٰهُمْ وَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِمْ مِّنْ ضُرٍّ لَّلَجُّوْا فِى طُغْيٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُوْنَ
“You are inviting them to a straight path. But those who do not believe in the Hereafter are swerving from the path. Even if We had mercy on them, and relieved their problems, they would still blindly persist in their defiance.” (23:73 – 75)
اَلَمْ اَعْهَدْ اِلَيْكُمْ يٰبَنِىۤ اٰدَمَ اَنْ لَّا تَعْبُدُوْا الشَّيْطٰنَ اِنَّه لَكُمْ عَدُوْ مُّبِيْنٌ وَاَنِ اعْبُدُوْنِىْ هٰذَا صِرٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيْمٌ وَلَقَدْ اَضَلَّ مِنْكُمْ جِبِلًّا كَثِيْرًا اَفَلَمْ تَكُوْنُوْا تَعْقِلُوْنَ
“Had I not a covenant with you, O Children of Adam, that you shall not worship Satan? That he is your avowed enemy? And that you shall worship Me? This is a straight path. He (Satan) has misled a great multitude of you. Did you not understand?” (36:60 – 62)
Verses on Religious Tolerance
“Let there be no compulsion in religion…….” (2:256)
The Messengers and Prophets were sent to deliver the messages of Allah (SWT) to their people through peaceful and decent manners and to call them towards the righteous path as prescribed for them. They all warned the people about the consequences of straying away from Allah’s path. It was not their duty to impose religion on their people forcibly, as Allah (SWT) didn’t compel anyone to accept His guidance against their will. Even the prophets and messengers never sought any remuneration for their service to their nations. The people are at liberty to either accept or reject what has been prescribed for them.
The Holy Qur’an clearly dissipates all misunderstandings about religious tolerance. It affirms that everyone is free to choose whichever path one desires, so none should be forced to change their religion. For Allah (SWT) has commanded His Prophet (ﷺ) to tell nonbelievers, “For you your religion, for me mine.’ (109:6). It is not necessary to introduce any excess or coercion in religion, as Allah (SWT) says: “Let there be no compulsion in religion. The right path has become distinct from the wrong path.” (2:256). In another verse, He says, “If it had been your Lord’s will, all people on earth would have believed in him.” Will you then compel mankind, against their will, to believe?” (10:99). These are the clear statements of religious tolerance in Islam. Moe verses on this topic are cited below:
مَا عَلَی الرَّسُوْلِ اِلَّا الْبَلٰغُ ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ یَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُوْنَ وَ مَا تَکْتُمُوْنَ
“The Messenger’s sole duty is to convey (the message). Allah knows what you reveal and what you conceal.” (5:99)
قُلِ اللّٰهَ اَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًا لَّہٗ دِیْنِیْ فَاعْبُدُوْا مَا شِئْتُمْ مِّنْ دُوْنِہٖ ؕ
“Say (O Prophet): ‘It is Allah Whom I worship, with my sincere (and exclusive) devotion: so, you worship what you wish besides him’ ……” (39:14-15)
……….وَمَا اخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيْهِ مِنْ شَىْءٍ فَحُكْمُه اِلَى اللهِ ط ذٰلِكُمُ اللهُ رَبِّىْ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ق وَاِلَيْهِ اُنِيْبُ
“……. Whatever it be wherein you differ, the decision thereof is with Allah. such is Allah my Lord: In Him I trust, and to Him I turn.” (42:10)
قُلْ لِّلَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا یَغْفِرُوْا لِلَّذِیْنَ لَا یَرْجُوْنَ اَیَّامَ اللّٰهِ لِیَجْزِیَ قَوْمًۢا بِمَا كَانُوْا یَکْسِبُوْنَ
“(O Prophet) Tell those who believe, to forgive those who ignore the Days of Allah. It is for Him to recompense each People for what they have earned.” (45:14)
فَاِنْ اَعْرَضُوْا فَمَاۤ اَرْسَلْنٰكَ عَلَیْهِمْ حَفِیْظًا ؕ اِنْ عَلَیْكَ اِلَّا الْبَلٰغُ
“If then they run away, We have not sent you as a guard over them. Your duty is but to convey (the Message).” (42:48)
ذٰلِكَ الَّذِیْ یُبَشِّرُ اللّٰهُ عِبَادَهُ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ ؕ قُلْ لَّاۤ اَسْـَٔلُکُمْ عَلَیْهِ اَجْرًا اِلَّا الْمَوَدَّۃَ فِی الْقُرْبٰی ؕ وَ مَنْ یَّقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَۃً نَّزِدْ لَہٗ فِیْهَا حُسْنًا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرٌ شَکُوْرٌ
“That is (the Bounty) whereof Allah gives Glad Tidings to His Servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say (O Muhammad ﷺ): ‘No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin.’ And if anyone earns any good, We shall give him an increase of good in respect thereof: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (service).” (42:23)
لَاۤ اِکْرَاهَ فِی الدِّیْنِ لا قَدْ تَّبَیَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَیِّ
“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error………….” (2:256)
لَکُمْ دِیْنُکُمْ وَلِیَ دِیْنِ
“To you be your religion, and to me my religion.” (109:6)
نَّحْنُ اَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَقُوْلُوْنَ وَمَاۤ اَنْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِجَبَّارٍ فَذَكِّرْ بِالْقُرْاٰنِ مَنْ يَّخَافُ وَعِيْدِ
“We know best what they say, and you are not one to force them (to accept Islam). So, admonish him with this Qur’an, who fears My Warning.” (50:45)
لَا يَنْهٰىكُمُ اللهُ عَنِ الَّذِيْنَ لَمْ يُقٰتِلُوْكُمْ فِى الدِّيْنِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوْكُمْ مِنْ دِيٰرِكُمْ اَنْ تَبَرُّوْهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوْۤا اِلَيْهِمْ اِنَّ اللهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِيْنَ
“Allah does not forbid you, with regard to those who did not fight you for religion nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loves those who are just.” (60:8)
………. وَقُلْ اٰمَنْتُ بِمَاۤ اَنْزَلَ اللهُ مِنْ كِتٰبٍ وَاُمِرْتُ لِاَعْدِلَ بَيْنَكُمُ اللهُ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ لَنَاۤ اَعْمٰلُنَا وَلَكُمْ اَعْمٰلُكُمْ لَا حُجَّةَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ اللهُ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا وَاِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيْرُ
“……. Say (O Prophet): ‘I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down, and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord: for us (is the responsibility for) our deeds, and for you for your deeds. There is no dispute between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to Him is (our) Final Goal’.” (42:15)
وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَاٰمَنَ مَنْ فِی الْاَرْضِ کُلُّهُمْ جَمِیْعًا ؕ اَفَاَنْتَ تُکْرِهُ النَّاسَ حَتّٰی یَکُوْنُوْا مُؤْمِنِیْنَ
“If it had been your Lord’s will, they would all have believed, – all who are on earth! will you then compel mankind, against their will, to believe!” (10:99)
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللهُ نَفْسًا اِلَّا وُسْعَهَا لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا اكْتَسَبَتْ
“Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity. To its credit is what it earns, and against it is what it commits………” (2:286)
وَمَا يَسْتَوِى الْاَعْمٰى وَالْبَصِيْرُ وَلَا الظُّلُمٰتُ وَلَا النُّوْرُ وَلَا الظِّلُّ وَلَا الْحَرُوْرُ وَمَا يَسْتَوِى الْاَحْيَآءُ وَلَا الْاَمْوٰتُ اِنَّ اللهَ يُسْمِعُ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَمَآ اَنْتَ بِمُسْمِعٍ مَّنْ فِى الْقُبُوْرِ اِنْ اَنْتَ اِلَّا نَذِيْرٌ اِنَّاۤ اَرْسَلْنٰكَ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيْرًا وَنَذِيْرًا وَّاِنْ مِّنْ اُمَّةٍ اِلَّا خَلَا فِيْهَا نَذِيْرٌ
“The blind and the seeing are not same; Nor are the Darkness and the Light; Nor are the shade and the heat of the sun: Nor are alike those that are living and those that are dead. Whoever Allah wills, makes him hear; but you cannot make those to hear who are (buried) in graves. You are no other than a warner. Verily We have sent you with the truth, as a bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner: and there never was a people, without a warner having lived among them (in the past).” (35:19-24)
وَ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا اِلَّا وُسْعَهَا وَ لَدَیْنَا كِتٰبٌ یَّنْطِقُ بِالْحَقِّ وَ هُمْ لَا یُظْلَمُوْنَ
“We never burden any soul beyond its capacity. And with Us is a book of record that tells the truth, and they will not be wronged.” (23:62)
وَلَا تَسُبُّوْا الَّذِيْنَ يَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللهِ فَيَسُبُّوْا اللهَ عَدْوًۢ ا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ج كَذٰلِكَ زَيَّنَّا لِكُلِّ اُمَّةٍ عَمَلَهُمْ ثُمَّ اِلٰى رَبِّهِمْ مَّرْجِعُهُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوْا يَعْمَلُوْنَ
“Do not condemn those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance. Thus, have We made attractive to each person its own doings. In the end will they return to their Lord, and We shall then tell them the truth of all that they did.” (6:108)
لِکُلِّ اُمَّۃٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنْسَکًا هُمْ نَاسِکُوْهُ فَلَا یُنَازِعُنَّكَ فِی الْاَمْرِ وَادْعُ اِلٰی رَبِّكَ ؕ اِنَّكَ لَعَلٰی هُدًی مُّسْتَقِیْمٍ وَاِنْ جٰدَلُوْكَ فَقُلِ اللّٰهُ اَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ اَللّٰهُ یَحْکُمُ بَیْنَکُمْ یَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَۃِ فِیْمَا کُنْتُمْ فِیْهِ تَخْتَلِفُوْنَ
“To every People have We appointed rites and rituals which they must follow: let them not then dispute with you on the matter, but do you invite (them) towards your Lord: for you are assuredly on the Right Path. If they do wrangle with you, say, ‘(Allah) knows
best what it is you are doing. (Allah) will judge between you on the Day of Judgement concerning the matters in which you differ’.” (22:67-69)
يُرِيْدُ اللهُ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَكُمْ وَيَهْدِيْكُمْ سُنَنَ الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ وَيَتُوْبَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَاللهُ عَلِيْمٌ حَكِيْمٌ وَاللهُ يُرِيْدُ اَنْ يَتُوْبَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَيُرِيْدُ الَّذِيْنَ يَتَّبِعُوْنَ الشَّهَوٰتِ اَنْ تَمِيْلُوْا مَيْلًا عَظِيْمًا يُرِيْدُ اللهُ انْ يُّخَفِّفَ عَنْكُمْ وَخُلِقَ الْاِنْسٰنُ ضَعِيْفًا
“Allah intends to make everything clear to you, and to guide you by the examples of those before you, and turn to you in mercy. Allah is Most Knowing, Most Wise. Allah intends to turn to you in mercy, but those who follow their desires want you to deviate utterly. Allah intends to lighten your burden, for the human being was created weak.” (4:26-28)
قُلْ مَاۤ اَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ اَجْرٍ اِلَّا مَنْ شَآءَ اَنْ يَتَّخِذَ اِلٰى رَبِّه سَبِيْلًا
“Say, ‘I do not ask you any payment for this (for conveying the guidance) – but only that whoever wills may take a path to his Lord.” (25:57)
وَقُلِ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَنْ شَآءَ فَلْيُؤْمِنْ وَمَنْ شَآءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ ……..
“And say, ‘The truth is from your Lord. Whoever wills – let him believe. And whoever wills – let him disbelieve’.” ………. (18:29)
اِنَّ هٰذِه تَذْكِرَةٌ فَمَنْ شَآءَ اتَّخَذَ اِلٰى رَبِّه سَبِيْلًا
“This is a reminder (Qur’an); so, whoever wills, let him take a path to his Lord.” (76:29)
وَلَا تُجٰدِلُوْۤا اَهْلَ الْكِتٰبِ اِلَّا بِالَّتِىْ هِىَ اَحْسَنُ اِلَّا الَّذِيْنَ ظَلَمُوْا مِنْهُمْ وَقُوْلُوْۤا اٰمَنَّا بِالَّذِىْۤ اُنْزِلَ اِلَيْنَا وَاُنْزِلَ اِلَيْكُمْ وَاِلٰهُنَا وَاِلٰهُكُمْ وَاحِدٌ وَّنَحْنُ لَه مُسْلِمُوْنَ
“And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in the best manner possible, except those who do wrong among them. And say, ‘We believe in what was revealed to us, and in what was revealed to you; and our Allah and your God is One; and to Him we surrender.” (29:46)
فَاِنْ حَآجُّوْكَ فَقُلْ اَسْلَمْتُ وَجْهِىَ لِلّٰهِ وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِ وَقُلْ لِّلَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُوْا الْكِتٰبَ وَالْاُمِّيْنَ اٰسْلَمْتُمْ فَاِنْ اَسْلَمُوْا فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوا وَّاِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَاِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلٰغُ ط وَاللهُ بَصِيْرٌۢ بِالْعِبَادِ
“If they argue with you, say, ‘I have surrendered myself to Allah, and those who follow me.’ And say to those who were given the Scripture, and to the unlearned, ‘Have you surrendered?’ If they have surrendered, then they are guided; but if they turn away, then your duty is to convey (My message). Allah is seeing the servants.” (3:20)
اِنَّا خَلَقْنَا الْاِنْسٰنَ مِنْ نُّطْفَةٍ اَمْشَاجٍ نَّبْتَلِيْهِ فَجَعَلْنٰهُ سَمِيْعًۢا بَصِيْرًا اِنَّا هَدَيْنٰهُ السَّبِيْلَ اِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَاِمَّا كَفُوْرًا
“We created man from a liquid mixture, to test him; and We made him hearing and seeing. We guided him to the way, so be he appreciative or unappreciative.” (76:2-3)
قُوْلُوْۤا اٰمَنَّا بِاللّٰهِ وَمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ اِلَیْنَا وَمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ اِلٰۤی اِبْرٰہٖمَ وَ اِسْمٰعِیْلَ وَ اِسْحٰقَ وَیَعْقُوْبَ وَالْاَسْبَاطِ وَمَاۤ اُوْتِیَ مُوْسٰی وَعِیْسٰی وَمَاۤ اُوْتِیَ النَّبِیُّوْنَ مِنْ رَّبِّهِمْ ۚ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَیْنَ اَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ ۫ۖ وَنَحْنُ لَہٗ مُسْلِمُوْنَ
“Say, ‘We believe in Allah; and in what was revealed to us; and in what was revealed to Ibrahim, and Ismail, and Ishaq, and Yaqoob, and the descendants; and in what was given to Musa and Isa; and in what was given to other prophets – from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him, we surrender.” (2:136)
قُلْ اَتُحَاۤجُّوْنَنَا فِى اللهِ وَهُوْ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ وَلَنَاۤ اَعْمٰلُنَا وَلَكُمْ اَعْمٰلُكُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَه مُخْلِصُوْنَ
“Say: ‘Will you dispute with us about Allah, seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and you for yours; and that we are sincere (in our faith) in Him? (2:139)
اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ فَرَّقُوْا دِيْنَهُمْ وَكَانُوْا شِيْعًا لَّسْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِىْ شَىْءٍ اِنَّمَاۤ اَمْرُهُمْ اِلَى اللهِ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوْا يَفْعَلُوْنَ
“As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you have no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah. He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.” (6:159)
وَاِنَّ هٰذِه اُمَّتُكُمْ اُمَّةً وَّاحِدَةً وَّاَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاتَّقُوْنِ فَتَقَطَّعُوْۤا اَمْرَهُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ زُبُرًا كُلُّ حِزْبٍۭ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُوْنَ فَذَرْهُمْ فِىْ غَمْرَتِهِمْ حَتّٰى حِيْنٍ
“And verily this Brotherhood of yours (Prophets’) is a single Brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore, fear Me (and no other). But people have cut off their affair (of unity), between them, into sects: each party rejoices with what they own (the path). But leave them in their confused ignorance for a time.” (23:52-54)
قَدْجَآءَكُمْ بَصَآئِرُمِنْ رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَنْ اَبْصَرَ فَلِنَفْسِه وَمَنْ عَمِىَ فَعَلَيْهَا وَمَاۤ اَنَا ۠عَلَيْكُمْ بِحَفِيْظٍ
“Now have come to you, from your Lord, proofs (to open your eyes): if any will see, it will be for (the good of) his own soul; if any will be blind, it will be to his own (harm): I am not (here) to watch over your doings.” (6:104)
اِتَّبِعْ مَاۤ اُوْحِىَ اِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَّبِّكَ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ وَاَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ وَلَوْشَاۤ اَللهُ مَاۤ اَشْرَكُوْا وَمَا جَعَلْنٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيْظًا وَّمَاۤ اَنْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِوَكِيْلٍ
“Follow the instructions that come from your Lord: there is no god but He: and turn aside from those who join gods with Allah. If it had been Allah’s plan, they would not have taken false gods: but We have not made you one to watch over their doings, nor are you set over them to dispose of their affairs.” (6:106-107)
قُلْ يٰۤاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَكُمُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَنِ اهْتَدٰى فَاِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِى لِنَفْسِه وَمَنْ ضَلَّ فَاِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا وَمَاۤ اَنَا عَلَيْكُمْ بِوَكِيْلٍ وَاتَّبِعْ مَا يُوْحٰىۤ اِلَيْكَ وَاصْبِرْ حَتّٰى يَحْكُمَ اللهُ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْحٰكِمِيْنَ
“Say (O Prophet), ‘O people, the truth has come to you from your Lord. Whoever accepts guidance is guided for his own soul; and whoever strays only strays to its loss. I am not a guardian over you. Follow the inspiration sent to you, and be patient and constant, till Allah decides: for He is the best of Judges.” (10:108-109)