The Prayer for Guidance

The last three verses of Surah al-Fatiha consist of a prayer on the part of man. In other words, Allah Himself, in His great mercy, has taught man what to pray for: صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ "Guide us in the straight path, the path of those on whom You have bestowed Your grace, not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray."

The Implications of Guidance

A problem of highest significance arises here. The teaching with regard to the prayer for being guided in the straight path is addressed equally to all men or all Muslims and to saints and prophets who have already received guidance and are even a source of guidance for other men. Why should these repeatedly pray for something they already possess? The answer to this question depends on knowing all that is implied by guidance. The answer would, at the same time, remove all difficulties and confusions which arise in the minds of those who, not being familiar with the true signification of guidance, begin to suspect that certain verses of the Holy Qur'an were contradicting certain others.

The Meaning of Hidayah or Guidance

The best explanation of the word, Hidayah (guidance) has been offered by Imam Raghib al-Isfahan in his Mufradat al-Qur'an, which can be summed up thus: Hidayah signifies leading someone towards his destination, gently and kindly; while guidance, in the real sense, issues forth from Allah alone, and it has several degrees.

[Ma'ariful Qur'an, Volume 1]

» Posted by Seifeddine-M on 1st January 2011

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