Guidance is God's gift


By Prof Mohammed Rafi

Belief in the divine guidance is the necessary corollary of belief in God. The Muslims believe that the Quran is the final Revelation and that it is the only book which has not been tampered with. "Ramazan is the month in which the Quran was (first) revealed as a guidance unto mankind and a self-evident proof of that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false" (2:185).

Man has always been puzzled by certain fundamental questions like what is the purpose of life, and why the claims of different individuals and interests of different nations are often mutually contradictory, and how these can be reconciled. He has often thought about the common values of humanity and questioned how these are related, and what are the fundamental rights of man and how these can be protected?

Evidently, human reason and its manifestations of science and technology do not help in solving these problems. Einstein says "science can only ascertain what is, but not what should be, and outside of its domain, value judgments of all kinds remain necessary." The Quran says, "The God that has created all the objects in the universe has also undertaken to make them aware of their goal and guide them towards it" (20:50).

In all religions, theologians have discussed the nature of creation. In Islam every created being has a definite place in the overall pattern of creation and in that sense, it is good. But it is not intended to remain the same throughout its span of life. It is endowed with a number of potentialities and tends to realize them.

It is through divine guidance termed 'Rububiyyah' in the Quran, that things develop and finally attain their goal. The guidance of God is essential for the development of humanity. This guidance is at work everywhere in the universe. "He inspired in each heaven its mandate" (41:12).

In the animal world divine guidance is reflected in the form of instinctual drive as the following verse indicates, "Your Rabb inspired the bee saying: choose your habitation in the hills and in the trees and in that which they thatch" (16:68). And "Have you not seen that thou who are in the heavens and the earth serve God, and the birds also, their wings spread out. Each one knows its appointed task (salaat) and the way in which it is to be performed (Tasbeeh) (24:41). And "There is no living being on the earth, nor a bird that flies with its wings which is not (God's) creature like you. No single thing have we neglected in the decree" (6:38).

We have to realize that divine guidance carries each and every creation from stage to stage until it has reached its full development. Man too needs divine guidance, otherwise he will go astray. He is free to choose the right or wrong path. But once he chooses his path, he cannot alter the ultimate results.

These results are in accordance with the Divine natural laws and apply to all human beings. If he controls the animal instincts, he will definitely attain sublime heights; but if he does not, he may easily sink below the animal level. Self-fulfilment is the reward of following the Divine guidance.

History tells us that relative values prevailing in the world shall never solve the problems of mankind. Only permanent values which are for all societies and all times can guide man on the right path. These permanent values are offered to man through a messenger called the nabi. This divine guidance is a gift of God which He bestows on the man whom He selects.

The purpose of wahi is not to compel man to choose any particular way. It merely informs him about the right and wrong paths and leaves him free to choose. The Quran says "Say it is the truth from Allah. Then whosoever will let him believe; and whosoever will let him reject" (18:29).

Throughout his life Muhammad (PBUH) never changed a single word of the Revelation for reasons of expediency. The Quran bears witness to this fact: "Say (O Muhammad) it is not for me to change it of my own accord. I only follow which is revealed to me" (10:15).

The divine guidance transcends human intellect but does not conflict with reason. It rather supplements it. Man is exhorted to ponder and reflect over it in the light of reason. "Those who, when the Revelations of their Rabb are presented, do not fall thereat deaf and blind." (25:73) "Will they not ponder over the Quran?" (4:82).

Those who deny reason are described in this way: "Will they not then meditate on the Quran or there are locks on their hearts" (47:24). Muhammad (PBUH) was asked to say, "This is my way. My invitation to you to follow Allah's path is based on reason and insight" 12:108).

No doubt it is possible to doubt the existence of God and the reality of the Hereafter. But then, it is also possible to doubt the existence of the world. The rational test will take the form of determining whether it furthers the interests of humanity. It is needless to say that the Quran has stood the test of reason and proved itself to be in harmony with the best in man.

Secondly, the Quran invites people to judge it in the light of history. It asks them to ponder over the rise and fall of nations. It assures them that if they seek the causes of the downfall of a people, they will find that the people had contravened the principles of right conduct and permanent values which were communicated to them by the nabi of their age.

"But they deny the knowledge that they could not compass and whereof the final result had not come unto them. Even so did those before them deny. Then see what the consequences were for the wrong doers" (10:39).

The unbelievers are repeatedly urged to apply this test and satisfy themselves about the truth and value of divine guidance. The Quran repeatedly exhorts man to think and think hard. Those who do are honoured. "The blind man is not equal with the seeing, nor is darkness equal to light" (35:19) "Are those who know equal with those who know not? But only men of understanding will pay heed" (39:9).