Why does Allah not decree guidance to all His creations? And what are the two types of guidance?
لماذا لم يكتب الله الهداية للخلق جميعاً، وما هما نوعا الهداية؟
Allah the Almighty says: (But We have made it a light, by which We guide whoever We will of Our servants. And you are truly leading all to the Straight Path) [Ash-Shoura 42: 52]. This raises an important question regarding the difference between the guidance of Allah Almighty and the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
قال تعالى: (وَلَٰكِن جَعَلْنَاهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِي بِهِ مَن نَّشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ) [الشورى 42: 52]. ما الفرق بين هداية الله عز وجل (نهدي به من نشاء) وهداية النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم (وإنك لتهدي)؟
The Two Types of Guidance | نوعا الهداية
1. The Guidance of Leading (Dalalah and Irshad)
This is manifested when Allah has guided His creations to good and righteousness through sending the Messengers and revealing the Divine Books. This type of guidance is meant for all creations. Allah the Almighty has given reason to man, so that he would be able to know with it good and evil.
(and shown them the two ways of right and wrong?) [Al-Balad 90: 10]
(We already showed them the Way, whether they choose to be grateful or ungrateful.) [Al-Insan 76: 3]
1. هداية دلالة وإرشاد
أي أن الله عز وجل أرشد عباده للخير والإصلاح عن طريق إرسال الرسل وإنزال الكتب. وهذه الهداية للخلق جميعا، وقد أودع فيهم العقل الذي يمكنهم من تمييز الخير من الشر به.
(وَهَدَيْنَاهُ النَّجْدَيْنِ) [البلد 90: 10]
(إِنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا) [الإنسان 76: 3]
2. The Guidance of Success (Tawfeeq)
This is the guidance accompanied with Allah's Tawfeeq (the ability to achieve something successfully). It is when Allah the Almighty helps those who intend to be guided to obey Him.
(You surely cannot guide whoever you like O Prophet, but it is Allah Who guides whoever He wills, and He knows best who are fit to be guided.) [Al-Qasas 28: 56]
2. هداية توفيق
أي أنه سبحانه وتعالى يوفق من شاء من عباده إلى طاعته كما قال تعالى:
(إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ) [القصص 28: 56]
The Core Difference
The first type of guidance is given by Allah to all creations, while the second type is based on Allah’s Wisdom; it is decided by the willingness of those who intend to be guided.
الفرق الجوهري
فالنوع الأول من الهداية قد أعطاه الله للخلق جميعا. أما النوع الثاني فهو مرتبط بحكمته سبحانه وتعالى فهو يهدي من يشاء بحكمته ويضل من يشاء بحكمته.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
What is the "Guidance of Leading"?
It is the universal guidance where Allah shows humanity the path of good and righteousness by sending Messengers and revealing Divine Books, giving people the ability to distinguish between right and wrong.
What is the "Guidance of Success" (Tawfeeq)?
It is the specific divine help and enablement from Allah that allows a person to actually follow the truth and obey Him. This is granted only to those who sincerely intend and choose to be guided.
Can the Prophet force someone to be guided?
No, the Prophet can only offer the Guidance of Leading by showing people the straight path. The actual Guidance of Success rests solely with Allah, as He guides whoever He wills based on His profound wisdom.