02-02-2005, 02:32 PM
Alhamdulelah Rubela`lameen, Allahuma salli a`al Mohamed wa alhee wa sallam
All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the Worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the Messenger, his household and companions.
May Allah Assist me much in addressing this crucial topic as it really occupies the minds of most people either Muslims or non Muslims.
About the concept of Allah Guides whom He Wills. The Ayah say:
“We sent not an apostle except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear to them. now God leaves straying those whom he pleases and guides whom he pleases: and he is exalted in power, full of wisdom.”
“And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people, in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them. Then Allah misleads whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.”(Quran 14:4)
In both the above mentioned Ayahs the translators come to the word as whom He Wills. It means that the translator attributed the act of guidance to the Will of Allah. Now in Arabic the word is yahdi man ya sha-a. Now the ya here serves as a prefix to the word sha-a in order to determined the subject, the one who did the action. In Arabic u can define the subject by adding prefix to the verb, u can also define the gender thru the same way, Sha-a means wants or desires. So if u actually look at it the ya should be referring to the person who is subject to guidance or vice versa. It means that Allah Shall Guide the one who is seeking, desiring, wanting to be guided. It is only fair and logical. It does not imply any imposition from Allah.
U might say how? Ok look at the coming Ayahs and see that we have to initiate things
2:152
Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying, etc.). I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me.
47:7
"O you who believe! if you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm."
The above two Ayahs clearly indicate how we must initiate the act then Allah Sobhanhu wa Ta`la Shall certainly take our hands closely. It is the human being who have to start trying to come close, has to strive to find the correct path which is originally of course shown and drawn by Allah. But it is up to us to choose it or not.
The second Ayah is talking about attaining victory from Allah. The Ayah is literally saying O u who believe if u grant Allah victory Allah Shall in turn Grant u victory and keep your feet fixed. How to grant Allah Victory? by lending victory to Allah's cause in every possible means it is so comprehensive. But again we have to start for Allah to Help us.
Now if that was not the case then why Allah Say:
"“And ordain for us that which is good, in this life and in the hereafter: for we have turned unto thee. he said: with my punishment I visit whom I will; but my mercy extendeth to all things. that (mercy) I shall ordain for those who do right, and practise regular charity, and those who believe in our signs;” (Quran 7 : 156)
Can u see what I want to tell u? Can u see how Allah Is eager to include us all in His Mercy while the punishment will only befell on those picked up by Allah. I think the concept is getting clearer here.
“If God so willed, he could make you all one people: but he leave straying whom he pleases, but ye shall certainly be called to account for all your actions.”( Quran 16 : 93)
If Allah Is the One Who puts us stray then how can Allah Puts us for account? It is not logical and all what Allah Say is logical. Even if at times we don’t understand quite well the Wisdom, but not in this point. Because it is so clear.
“The fools among the people will say: what hath turned them from the Qibla to which they were used? say: to God belong both east and west: he guideth whom he will to a way that is straight.” (Quran 2: 142)
“The fools among the people will say: what hath turned them from the Qibla to which they were used? say: to God belong both east and west: he guideth whom he will to a way that is straight.” (Quran 2: 213)
“To God belongeth all that is in the heavens and on earth. he forgiveth whom he pleaseth and punisheth whom he pleaseth; but God is oft forgiving, most merciful.” (Quran 3: 129)
Wallahu a`alam
All what is correct is from Allah and the wrong is from myself.
May Allah accept and forgive any shortcomings amen
Alhamdulelah rubelalameen