Definition of al-Hudaa

Revised: January 17, 2014

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

If the definition of al-Hudaa (guidance) were limited to mean: information and acknowledgment only, then according to this definition, Ibees is among the guided for he did acknowledge the superiority of Allaah and he said to Allaah تعالى: “By Your Honor…” and he did acknowledge that Allaah تعالى created him and Aadam. But since he did not obey what he was commanded, so Allaah تعالى called declared him as Kaafir. Therefore this definition of al-Hudaa is incomplete.

Shaikh al-Sa`dee رحمه الله in the Tafseer of aayah 13 of Surah al-Kahf defined al-Hudaa as: “Beneficial Knowledge and Righteous Deeds.”

So the correct definition of Al-Hudaa is that it is a blessing of Allaah تعالى upon His slaves to allow then to learn beneficial knowledge and to act upon it. Doing righteous deeds is an integral part of being guided. 

True Guidance is the ability of converting Knowledge into Actions.

In the Qur’aan, wherever Allaah تعالى says: “He increases in guidance”, it means, increase in beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds.

Allaah تعالى says:

{And Allaah increases those who were guided, in guidance} [Surah Maryam (19): 76]

And

{And those who are guided - He increases them in guidance and gives them their righteousness.} [Surah Muhammad (47):17]

Al-Hudaa is of two types:

In the `Arabic language al-Hudaa also means: establishing the proofs (evidences) and clarification; and it is divided into two categories:

1) Hudaa al-Irshaad: meaning: guidance of leading and instructing, calling people towards the obedience and worship of Allaah. This kind of guidance was the task of the Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, and their followers. The evidence for this is the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ﴾

{…and to every people there is a guide} [Surah al-Ra`d (13): 7]

And the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ﴾

{And verily, you (O Muhammad) are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path.} [Surah al-Shooraa (42): 52]

And the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said to `Alee رضي الله عنه:

لأن يهدي الله بك رجلاً واحداً خير لك من حمر النعم

“if Allah guides aright even one person through you that is better for you than (a great number of) red camels (i.e. better for you than to possess the most valuable of the camels).” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2942, 3009, 3701 4210) and Saheeh Muslim (5918)]

2) Hudaa al-Tawfeeq: meaning: the guidance of the heart, i.e. where a person is enabled by Allaah to follow the path of guidance. There is none capable of guiding a person’s heart except Allaah تعالى, and it is from His Favor which He تعالى bestows on whomever He Wills. And this is what Allaah تعالى mentioned to His Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:

﴿إنك لا تهدي من أحببت ولكن الله يهدي من يشاء﴾

{Verily! You (O Muhammad) cannot guide whom you like, but Allaah guides whom He Wills.} [Surah al-Qasas (28): 56]

﴿ليس عليك هداهم ولكن الله يهدي من يشاء﴾

{Not upon you (Muhammad) is their guidance, but Allah guides whom He Wills.} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 272]

And Allaah is the One Who grants success.