How to Find Guidance and Remain Focused on the Straight Path
First of all, it’s important to state that guidance comes only from Allah; it’s not an intellectual thing. If you find yourself on the right path, express gratitude to your Lord. Many of us were born into the fold of Islam, yet this is one of the favors we take for granted. That you are guided isn’t your birthright, it’s only a favor from Allah. I recall a non-Muslim once mocked me saying: “if we are truly guided on the right way, why do we still pray to Allah to guide us onto the straight path?”. I told him that prayer was one of the best inspiration Allah gave to Muhammad, peace be upon him. And we are proud to say that supplication at least seventeen times daily. It is not only asking for guidance but also affirming the right way and avoiding the path of doom. The reality is this: religious guidance is the greatest gift that a person can possess. It is something we do not control nor do we have an exclusive right to it, rather it is bestowed upon us in an act of infinite mercy and grace by Allah.
Allah created man and given him a sense of reasoning. He then sent down to him revelation and Messengers to call him to the truth and warn him against falsehood. Then He gave him free will to make his own choice. Islam is the religion of — fitrah, the natural state of man. A faith that is based upon guided reasoning and thoughts. God has distinguished between truth and falsehood. So there is no compulsion in religion but it’s up to man to make the right choice.
“There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in taghoot (false gods) and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break.” — Qur’an 2[al-Baqarah]:256
When it comes to guidance, there are three categories of people with respect to receiving and accepting it.
- Those who benefit from guidance themselves and help others get it.
- Those who just help others but are not able to practice it themselves
- And those who are like the barren land; they do not accept guidance nor do they help people find it.
We ask Allah to make us of the first category only. Now lets quickly examine a few ways to gain guidance and remain steadfast:
- Be sincere with God and establish a strong relationship with Him.
- Seek knowledge of at-Tauhid: The Unity of God. It helps you understand the uniqueness of His Lordship, Worship, and beauty of His Names and Attributes. Do not only learn this but also understand and practice.
- Indulge in repentance, for God guides unto Him those who sincerely repent.
- Express gratitude and indeed you will always find guidance.
- Purify yourself by strictly obeying Allah’s injunctions and following the Sunnah of the Messenger (SAW).
- His signs are everywhere, do not belie them. Verily God does not guide the disbelieving people.
- Supplicate as the Prophet used to say: “Oh! Turner of the hearts, keep our hearts firm on your deen (religion). Oh, Allah! The Turner of the hearts, turn our hearts to your obedience.”
- Lastly, have no contempt in your heart. And do not look down upon those who are not guided yet. Remain humble and stay away from arrogance. It is Allah who has guided you, nothing assures you of guidance till you take your last breath.
“Praise be to Allah who has guided us to this! We would not have been guided, had Allah not guided us” — Qur’an 7[AL-A’raf]:43
I hope this is beneficial and I pray Allah keeps me and you guided till we meet Him. Ameen!
Yaumus Sabt 13th Ramadan 1440H // Saturday 18th May 2019.
