Advanced search
Visit
13192
Last Updated: 2011/08/15
Summary of question
What is the meaning of Allah’s (awj) misguidance in the Qur`an?
question
What is the meaning of Allah’s (awj) misguidance in the Qur`an?
Concise answer

Misguidance is a non-existent entity. Since guidance means to lead someone to a goal, then misguidance is the absence of guidance. In the parlance of the logicians, the relation between guidance and misguidance is privatives and positives (‘Adam wa malakah). In other words, if guidance were to exist in a certain place, then it is impossible for misguidance to exist there (from the same aspect); but if guidance were not there then the absence of guidance is misguidance. Because of this it is not possible to attribute misguidance to Allah (awj) since it is not possible to give or take something that does not exist. Unlike guidance, which relates both to existence and the law, misguidance relates only to existence and has no relation with the law. This is because Allah (awj) is essentially the Guide, since if this were not the case then the evildoers would bring an excuse before Allah (awj) saying, “We wanted your guidance but you lead us astray.”

Therefore, at the outset, Allah (awj) leads everyone towards felicity, happiness and the right path and in this stage there can be no misguidance. But if someone wilfully does not accept this call and turns his back towards it, then in this case he incurs Allah’s (awj) existential misguidance. Therefore Allah’s (awj) misguiding someone simply means that He cuts off His guidance from him and leaves him to fend for himself, the result of which is that man becomes lost on the path of guidance. Man’s being lost then, is caused by not having Allah’s (awj) guidance - and this is the meaning of existential misguidance.

Detailed Answer

When we pay attention to the verses of the Noble Book, we find that there are two kinds of Divine guidance: one that is related to the law and the second that is related to existence. Man has both kinds of guidance. This is in contrast to misguidance, which is only existential and does not exist with relation to the Law. This is because Allah (awj) is essentially the Guide, since it is impossible that He be essentially the Lord, the Worshipped, and the Refuge, but not be the Essential Guide. If this were not the case then the evildoers would bring forth an excuse, saying to Allah (awj), “We wanted your guidance but you lead us astray.”

It is impossible for Allah (awj) to lead someone astray initially since this goes against His wisdom and since nothing comes from Allah (awj)except goodness and mercy, He does not lead anyone on an incorrect path from the outset. Rather, His misguidance is a type of punishment. In other words the bad people have gone astray and have been afflicted with misguidance by there own choice. Therefore in reality, initial misguidance is ascribed to the creatures, and the misguidance that is a punishment pertains to the Creator.

In conclusion we can say that Allah’s (awj) misguidance means that He cuts off His mercy and blessings from a person and leaves him to fend for himself; and it is this that results in man becoming lost on the Path. If someone does not accept the guidance of the Law, Allah (awj) will exclude him from His existential guidance. In other words, it is the actions of a disbeliever or an oppressor which cause him not to have Divine guidance. This is in line with the order of creation, which is based on cause and effect. Consequently Allah (awj) has said that He will not guide the unbeliever[1], oppressor[2], or the sinner.[3]



[1] Surat al-Baqarah (2), Verse 264:

} ...وَاللٌّهُ لاَ یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الْکَافِرِینَ {

See also: Surat al-Ma’idah (5), Verse 67; Surat al-Tawbah (9), Verse 37

[2] Surat al-Baqarah (2), Verse 258:

} ...وَاللٌّهُ لاَ یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِینَ {

See also: Surat Ali-‘Imran (3), Verse 86; Surat al-Ma’idah (5), Verse 51

[3] Surat Ali- ‘Imran (3), Verse 86:

} ...وَاللٌّهُ لاَ یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِینَ {

See also: Surat al-Ma’idah (5), Verse 108; Surat al-Tawbah (9), Verse 80

Question translations in other languages
Comments
Number of comments 0
Please enter the value
Example : Yourname@YourDomane.ext
Please enter the value
Please enter the value

Thematic Category

Random questions

  • Why didn’t Allah miraculously prevent the killing of Imam Hussein (A.S.)?
    16391 The infallibles 2010/05/27
    Everything takes place under Allah's will and according to His traditions and the same way Allah had the power to prevent Prophet Ibrahim's blade from cutting he could have also disabled all of the enemies' weapons, and miraculously saved Imam Hussein, but such a miracle did not happen ...
  • Who is Zaid bin Haretha?
    8074 برخی صحابیان 2013/04/18
    When still a child, Zaid bin Haretha, accompanied by her mother (Sa’ada bint Tha’laba bin ‘Abd Âmer), was going to Tha’laba bin Âmer tribe, to visit his relatives. On the way to his destination, Zaid bin Haretha was attacked and his property was confiscated by Bani ...
  • What is the Islamic law about women going out with makeup?
    8744 Laws and Jurisprudence 2011/12/01
    Office of Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi (may Allah grant him long life): There is no objection to women wearing light makeup on their faces and hands up to the wrists provided that it does not entail any evil or corruption but it is necessary for ...
  • Is it permissible to invest in non-Muslim countries?
    8607 Laws and Jurisprudence 2009/04/21
    In response to your inquiry, the grand Ayatullah Khamenei says: “Investing in the banks of countries with non-Islamic governments is permissible per se, given that it doesn’t strengthen them politically and economically such that they will use it against Muslims and Islam, and in ...
  • What is the meaning of the word "Allah"?
    15252 Traditional 2011/11/17
    The word "Allah" which is translated into God is a particular and the most comprehensive name of God. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) explaining the meaning of "Allah" said, "Allah means the worshipped one, by Whom people are bewildered, and to Whom they are submissive. Allah is ...
  • Can a woman have an extended relationship with others over the internet without her husband’s permission?
    8296 Laws and Jurisprudence 2012/04/19
    The following is the response of the maraji’ to your question: 1. Khamenei: If it doesn’t entail using his wealth/belongings [without his consent], there is no need for permission, but please do remember that it is impermissible to develop a relationship with a non-mahram which ...
  • Was the Fadak usurped before or after the burning of Lady Zahra’s home?
    9666 تاريخ بزرگان 2010/07/31
     This question doesn’t have a brief answer. Please click on the detailed answer. ...
  • What is the Mus’haf of Fatimah? Did the prophet and his household know about this book?
    14937 Traditional 2011/04/20
    The Mus’haf of Fatimah is the name of a book that was written by Imam Ali during Lady Fatimah's lifetime. The content of this book was communicated to Lady Fatimah through the special angel Gabriel. This book consists of future prophecies, the secrets of the Prophet's household and ...
  • Why is it permissible in Islam to marry female captives?
    9538 Philosophy of Religion and Law 2011/01/02
    Given that we have already dealt with the political and social aspects of slaveholding in our previous answers, here we will study two more issues concerning the subject matter: 1. The reason and philosophy behind the legality of conjugal relations with female captives 2. Why doesn’t this ...
  • How should one go about identifying the most learned Mujtahid, if the testimonies of the witnesses contradict each other?
    8354 Laws and Jurisprudence 2011/01/15
    All grand jurists have said in their edicts that there are three ways of identifying a Mujtahid, and the A'alam:First: when a person is certain that a particular person is a Mujtahid, or the most learned one. For this, he should be a ...

Popular