Ibn al-Qayyim said:^[1]

From His saying:

“Guide us to the Straight Path” ^[2]

Guidance (hidāyah) is:

—a) elucidation (بيان) and indication (دلالة) (to the path), then
—b) success (توفيق) and inspiration (إلهام) (in following the path) and this comes after (the guidance of) elucidation and indication.

There is no way to receive elucidation and indication except by means of the Messengers. So when elucidation, indication and acquaintance (of the path) has been obtained, there will occur as a result of this the guidance of success (in following the path), the placing of īmān in the heart, its beautification and its endearment to the heart, making (the heart) prefer īmān, be pleased with it and aspire for it. And they are two independent and distinct (types of) guidance. Success cannot be attained except by acquiring both of them. They both comprise:

• the knowledge of that which we do not know of the truth in both a general and specific sense
• our being inspired towards this knowledge
• our being made to desire following it, inwardly and outwardly
• the bringing about of that ability and power for us to act upon the requirements of this guidance in speech, action and resolution
• then our remaining steadfast upon all of that until we pass away

And it is from this that we come to know the servant’s severe need for making this supplication, above and beyond every other need, and also (we come to know) the futility of the saying, “If we are already guided, then how can we ask for guidance?”

[And the answer to this is that] that which we are ignorant of about the truth is multiple times more than that which we know of the Truth. Then that from the truth for which we do not have a desire to act upon, out of laziness and neglect, is similar to that from it for which we do have a desire to act upon. And similar to this is what we are not able to act upon, of those matters that we have a desire to act upon. And further, we may not be guided to the specific details of those matters which we know in a general sense.

Hence, the matter is beyond comprehension, and therefore, we are in need of perfect and complete guidance.

The one who has had these matters perfected for him though is still in need of asking for guidance in the sense that he asks for steadfastness and continuity (upon this guidance).

And then guidance, has yet another level: and this is the final of its levels: This is the guidance on the Day of Judgement to the Path of Paradise. And this is (upon) the path which leads to it (i.e. the Sirāt, the Bridge over Hellfire).

Hence, whoever is guided to the Straight Path of Allāh in this life, the path with which He sent His Messengers, and the path with which He revealed His Books, will also be guided (in the Hereafter) to the Straight Path, the one which is connected to and leads to His Paradise and the Home of Reward.

And to the extent that a servant remains firm upon this Path, the one which Allāh has laid down for His servant’s in the life of this world, his firmness will be to that same extent on that path which has been positioned over the midst of the Hellfire. And the manner in which he traverses upon this path, will be the same manner that he traverses upon that path.

Hence, amongst the people will be those who will cross over that path (over Hellfire) like:

• a flash of lightning,
• others like the blinking of an eye,
• others like the fast gale (of wind),
• others like a speedy horseman,
• yet others like one who runs swiftly,
• others who will (merely) walk,
• others who will crawl over it,
• and there are yet others who will be lacerated (yet saved)
• and finally those who will plunge (into the Hellfire).

Therefore, let the servant look at how he will traverse upon that path, by comparing it to how he is traversing upon this path, (let him compare it) step for step, a deserving reward:

And will you be recompensed except for what you used to do?^[3]

And let him look at the doubts (shubuhāt) and the desires (shahawāt) that cause him to diverge from this Straight Path (in this life). For they will be like the hooks which will be on either side of that Path (over Hellfire), and they will snatch at him and cause him to diverge from passing over it (safely). And if these (doubts and desires) increase and strengthen (while on this Path), then they will be likewise on that Path,

And never is Your Lord unjust to His Servants.^[4]

Hence, asking for guidance comprises the attainment of every good and safety from every evil.

Footnotes