After one truly knows Allaah سبحانه و تعالى by His names, attributes and actions, one should dearly want to know what actions he must perform to please Allaah سبحانه و تعالى and what actions not to perform in order to avoid His displeasure. In every rak'ah of every prayer, the believer must earnestly pray,
"Guide us to the straight path, the path of those You have favoured, not the path of those who have earned your anger nor of those who have gone astray." (Sooratul-Faatihah, 1:6-7)
Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, in His mercy, did not leave humans without giving them the answer to this prayer. Allaah سبحانه و تعالى seems to be alluding to the answer of this prayer by the opening verses of Sooratul-Baqarah, the first Soorah after Sooratul-Faatihah,
"This is the Book concerning which there is no doubt. A guidance for the Muttaqeen [1]." (Sooratul-Baqarah, 2:2)
The Qur'aan is the guide and the only true guide to the path that is pleasing to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى:
"Verily, this Qur'aan guides to that which is most just and right and gives glad tidings to the believers, who work deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a great reward." (Sooratul-Israa', 17:9)
The Qur'aan is a guide for every aspect of one's life. [2]
This is one of the greatest blessings that Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has vouchsafed upon His creation; a clear guide for all aspects of life. The person who reads it realising this important aspect and goal of the Qur'aan needs never be lost. In every aspect of his life, he can find some guidance from Allaah سبحانه و تعالى. He will always see and know what actions or path will be pleasing to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى. The person who turns to the Qur'aan in this matter will rarely, if ever, feel lost, confused or confounded. Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says,
"O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) explaining to you much of that which you used to hide from the Scripture and overlooking much. Indeed, there has come to you from Allaah a light (Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) and a clear Book (this Qur'aan). By which Allaah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path." (Sooratul-Maa'idah, 5:15-16)
Among the most important aspects that the Qur'aan guides a person to is the proper behaviour, manners and character that he should possess. When talking about the purpose for which he had been sent, the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "I have been sent for the purpose of perfecting good morals." [3]
A Muslim's life and his behaviour should be an actualisation and implementation of the Qur'aan and Sunnah. This is exactly what the true example and model, the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, was like. When Ummul Mu'mineen 'Aa'ishah رضي الله عنها, the wife of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, was asked about his character, she answered, "His character was the Qur'aan." [4]
Every person should look to the Qur'aan as the judge or signpost of his own life. That is, as Imaam al-Hasan al-Basri رحمه الله stated: "If anyone desires to know what he is [or what is his standing] he should examine himself in the light of the Qur'aan." [5]
A person's true esteem or true worth can be judged in the light of the teachings of the Qur'aan. Every individual should look to the Qur'aan and see where he stands with respect to its guidance. If he is benefitting from the guidance of the Qur'aan, he should thank Allaah سبحانه و تعالى and ask Allaah سبحانه و تعالى to increase his guidance and eemaan (faith). If he is falling short, he should blame only his own self, determine to change himself and turn in repentance to Allah. [6]
Finally, it must be stressed that since the revelation of the Qur'aan, scholars throughout the ages have been able to turn to the Qur'aan, ponder its meanings, and, thereby, get guidance for the particular situation that they were living in. The Qur'aan will always be filled with such guidance until the Day of Judgement. No matter how much the society and environment may change, the guidance found in the Qur'aan will always be able to guide Muslims to the straight path. It is the word of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, the One who knows everything that will occur until the Day of Judgement and who can guide mankind under all circumstances. But this will only come about if the Muslims themselves turn to the Qur'aan, realising this aspect of the Qur'aan, drinking from its fountain of guidance, and conveying its sublime teachings for every age to the masses. [7] [8]
Notes:
[1] See: Fear Allaah Wherever You Are (Taqwa) -
[2] Since the Qur'aan points to the obligation of following the Sunnah, the detailed guidance found in the Sunnah must be considered part of the Qur'aan's guidance. See also: Obedience To Rasulullaah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), Following Him And Following The Khulafa (رضي الله عنهم) -http://www.muftisays.com/forums/36-nabi-s--sahaabah-stories/6214-obedience-to-rasulullaah-saw-following-him-and-following-the-khulafa-ra.html
[3] Recorded by Imaam al-Haakim رحمه الله and others. Graded saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani رحمه الله in Saheeh al-Jaami', vol. 1, p. 464
[4] Recorded by Imaam Muslim رحمه الله
[5] Imaam Abu Bakr al-Aajurri رحمه الله, Akhlaaq Ahlul-Qur'aan (Beirut: Daar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyyah, 1987), p. 41
[6] See also: Tawbah (Repentance) - http://www.muftisays.com/forums/12-virtues/5476-tawbah-repentance.html
[7] Not everyone has the ability to translate the Qur'aan's teachings and guidance to events that are occurring today. This application of the Quranic teachings to today's reality needs to be done according to basic principles and methodology. One must also be aware of what is happening in the world at present and this requires some specific sources and methodology.
[8] How to Approach and Understand the Quran, pp. 123-126