The views expressed here
do not necessarily represent those of the Subagh.
Ibn Al-Qayyim
From
Al- Madaarij As-Saalikeen
Surah
1: Al Fateha
The three levels of guidance being prayed for in Surah Fateha are:
Guidance
of Bayaan
Guidance of Bayaan ÈíÇä)) is the first level (i.e. Holy Books). This can only happen except through Allah’s rasool ÑÓæá)) whom He sends to explain to mankind the essence of His message and to show them the way to the straight path (because only the rasool can receive the revelation).
Guidance
of Taufik
Guidance of Taufik ÊæÝíÞ)) is the second level (i.e. the ability to follow the Divine Path). In this level we ask Allah to open our hearts to His deen Ïíä)) and to give us the ability to follow it perfectly, thus making this aim more important to us than our lives.
Although these two levels of guidance are separate, achieving the Divine Path would not be achieved except by them both. These two levels include learning the sciences and searching for the truth, after which an enthusiasm grips us to clearly follow the Divine Path. This also provides the abilities that our conversations, actions and intentions all become in accordance with Divine Path, thus fulfilling our duties. May Allah keep us firm on this path until our deaths.
Some people would ask, “Why do we need to ask for learning while we are already Muslims – we know Allah (is the Lord) and we believe it?” What we need to believe without doubt is that we all are always in need of guidance, because the things which we do not know are more than the things which we know. The things which we do not do due to our carelessness or laziness are many more than the things which we do. If we do not pursue learning, it would be similar those creatures which are incapable of carrying out any task of their free will e.g. animals. Those of us who do not see any lack concerning their knowledge or practice need to ask the guidance from Allah, otherwise they will remain in this state till they die (which would mean a life in Hell).
Guidance
for Day of Judgment
The third level of guidance is the guidance for
the Day of Judgment towards the path which leads to
If we want to know how we are going to cross the straight path above Hell in the Hereafter we have to examine the way we are following Allah’s path in this life. We are going to walk there the same way we walk here. Some people would pass in a blink of an eye, some would pass like the wind, some would walk slowly and some would creep and others would be stuck and then thrown in Hell fire. So let each one of us examine the way we will pass there from the way we are passing here. And let us examine carefully the things which are holding us from following the straight path; our desires and confused ideas. These things are like chains which delay or stop our movement on the Divine Path. We should be afraid of the fact that if these chains are numerous in number, thick and heavy in this life, then they are also going to be the same when we are going to pass the straight path above Hell.
When we are asking Allah in Surah Fateha, “to guide us to the Divine Path” we also ask Him to accompany us with those whom He has blessed. Here two questions require pondering:
Those who intend to follow the Divine Path (as described in Quran) in this life, find that the majority of people around them do not want to follow the same path. And because the human beings normally look for companionship (for ease in the hard journey) Allah pointed out the importance for having a company on this road. Allah defined this company by saying in Surah An-Nisa verse 69:
“Those
on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the rasool, the Sadiqoon
(those followers of the rasool who were first and foremost to believe in them),
the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!
[4: 69]”
If sometimes we find it difficult to follow Allah’s Path we need to think of those who have followed or are following the same path. The later should be made to accompany us while make our best to follow the foot steps of the former. At the same time we should not pay any attention to those who do not want to choose the same path and should be strong enough so we do not let them detain us.
One of Salaf ÓáÝ)) said, “Stick firmly to the path of truth and do not feel lonely because of the few number of people who would join you, and be aware of the path of misguidance and do not be mislead with the large number of the people who don't follow this path.”
And from Allaah is all help sought...
© 2003, Sugah