Al Hadi ilaa Siratul Mustaqim: The Guide to the Straight Path
Muhammad Sa'id Hunafa Qadri
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Al Hamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Aalameen. Wa salaatu wa sallaamu ‘alaa Sayyidul Mursaleen, Sayyidinaa wa Mawlaanaa Muhammadin, Khatimun Nabiyyeen wa Imaamil Muttaqeena wa Qaaidil Ghurril Muhaajjaleen wa Shafi’il Mudhnibeena Rasuli Rabbil ‘Aalameen, wa Hadi ila Siratul Mustaqim, wa ‘Alaa Aalihi wa Ashabihi wa Awliyaa-ihi ajma’eena wa Sallima tasliman kathiran kathira, Ya Khayrun Naasireen, wal Hamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Aalameen, Wa ba’d.
Wa Qal Allahu ta ‘Allahu ta ‘ala fee Kalaamihil Qadim, ba’da Authu Billahi min ash shaytanir rajim. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِنْ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ
[٣:١٦٤]
هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِنْ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ
[٦٢:٢]
رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
[٢:١٢٩]
Allah did confer a great favor on the believers when He sent them a messenger from among themselves, reciting unto them the Signs of Allah, purifying them, and instructing them in Scripture and Wisdom, while, before that, they had been in manifest error. Suratul Ali Imran [3] 164th ayah.
It is He Who has sent amongst the Unlettered a messenger from among themselves, to recite to them His ayaah, to purify them, and to instruct them in the Book [al Qur’an Majid] and Wisdom [Hikmah, the Ahkam of Islam exemplified in the Sunnah],- although they had been, before, in manifest error;- Suratul Jumu’ah [62] 2nd ayah
“Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in Book and Wisdom, and sanctify them: For You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” Suratul Al Baqara [2] Ayah 129
Allahu Subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has blessed the believers with the greatest ni’mah, by sending sent us the Guide to the Straight Path. We have been blessed with the Guide who in reality, is the Siratul Mustaqim. The Beloved of Allahu ta ‘ala is both al Hadi ilaa Siratul Mustaqim and the Siratul Mustaqim, The Guide to the Straight path and the Straight Path itself.
Imam at Tabari Rahimahullah in his Tafsir with reference to ayah 164 of Suratul Aali Imran mentions that Allahu ta ‘ala is alluding to the Sunnah of our Beloved Master Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم when he mentions that His beloved صلى الله عليه وآله وسلمwould.
- Recite to them the Ayah of Allahu ta ‘ala [tilaawat]
- Wa Yuzakkihim, and purify them {Tazkiyyatun Nafs]
- Wa Yu’allimuhumul Kitaab, and teach them the Book [Holy Qur’an Majid and its’ explanation]
- Wal Hikmah, and the Hikmah, the correct manner of applying what is found in the Book of Allahu ta ‘ala, namely the Sunnah of the Holy Last Messenger Sayyidinaa Muhammad al Mustafa صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم.
Contrary to the rantings of the detractors, our Beloved Nabiyyul Karim صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم, has been commissioned, given a clear mandate and the supreme authority, by The Lawgiver azza wa jalla, to impart to us all that the Guidance contains. One of the Names of Al Qur’an Majid is al Huda, and Nabiy ul Adhim صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم is al Hadi, he صلى الله عليه وآله وسلمis our guide (Hadi), and the one who is himself divinely guided (Muhdi) in all his affairs. True Islamic belief is predicated upon acceptance of the supreme authority of our Master Muhammad Sall ‘Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim to recite the Word of Allahu ta ‘ala, teach us the ways of inner aoud outer puirification, teach us explanation of what the Book contains and the Hikmah, the rulings and the wisdom behind those rulings.
The Siratul Mustaqim is found in hearing and obeying Allahu ta ‘ala and His Beloved Sayyidinaa Muhammad al Mustafa صلى الله عليه وآله وسلمwhen he says:
قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِ مَا حُمِّلَ وَعَلَيْكُمْ مَا حُمِّلْتُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ تُطِيعُوهُ تَهْتَدُوا ۚ وَمَا عَلَى الرَّسُولِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ
Say: “Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger: but if ye turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and you for that placed on you. If ye obey him, you will be on guided aright. The Messenger’s duty is only to preach the clear (Message). Suratun Nur [24] 54th ayah.
There should be no doubt that Allahu ta ‘ala is telling true believers that guidance on the straight path and ultimately salvation lies in obeying and following the Sunnah of Holy Last Messenger, Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم.
How far reaching is the Authority of the Beloved Master صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم?
- He صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم is the supreme authority on the way Holy Qur’an Majid is to be recited. He صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم his companions Ridhwaan Allahu ta ‘ala ajma’een, the various ahruf [modes of recitation]. He صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم, examined and then qualified the recitation of some of them, giving them ijazah (express permission) to teach the various modes of recitation. All authoritative explanations of the meaning of Holy Qur’an Majid (tafaasir) lies with Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم.
- As there is no authority to interpret Al Qur’an Majid according to one’s own opinion. In this too Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram صلى الله عليه وآله وسلمtaught, examined and qualified certain Companions in the science of Quran’ic exegesis [‘Ilmul Tafsir]. Amongst them Sayyidinaa ibn Abbas Radhi Allahu ‘anhu
- The authority to legislate and interpret the Hukm, the Laws of the Law Giver Azza wa Jalla lies solely in his صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم hands Bi Ithnillah. In this too the Beloved Messenger صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم taught, examined and qualified several of his companions, among them Sayyidinaa Muadh bin Jabal and Sayyidinaa Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar Radhi Allahu anhumma.
- The authority to purify the believers lies in teaching us the practical methodology of following the Hikma contained in Holy Qur’an Majid. We find purification and discipline of the Nafs through following practically the example of the Holy Last Messenger Sayyidinaa Muhammad al Mustafaa صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم. We fine the manifestation of this science in Sayyidinaa ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib Radhi Allahu ‘anhu as passed down through the Blessed Ahlul Bayt and the various Schools of tasawwuf.
Until and unless we accept that all the duties and responsibilities that had been placed upon our beloved Nabiyy صلى الله عليه وآله وسلمby Allahu ta ‘ala, have be dutifully fulfilled, our Iman is incomplete.
Sayyidinaa Jabir bin ‘Abdullah Radhi Allahu ‘anhu narrates:
Some angels came to the Nabiy [صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم] while he was sleeping. Some of them said, “He is sleeping.” Others said, “His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake.” Then they said, “There is an example for this companion of yours.” One of them said, “Then set forth an example for him.” Some of them said, “He is sleeping.” The others said, “His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake.” Then they said, “His example is that of a man who has built a house and then offered therein a banquet and sent an inviter (messenger) to invite the people. So whoever accepted the invitation of the inviter, entered the house and ate of the banquet, and whoever did not accept the invitation of the inviter, did not enter the house, nor did he eat of the banquet.” Then the angels said, “Interpret this example to him so that he may understand it.” Some of them said, “He is sleeping.” The others said, “His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake.” And then they said, “The houses stands for Paradise and the call maker is Muhammad; and whoever obeys Muhammad, obeys Allah; and whoever disobeys Muhammad, disobeys Allah. Muhammad separated the people (i.e., through his message, the good is distinguished from the bad and the believers from the disbelievers).” Sahih al Bukhari
Sayyidinaa Abu Musa Narrated:
The Nabiy [صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم] said, “My example and the example of what I have been sent with is that of a man who came to some people and said, ‘O people! I have seen the enemy’s army with my own eyes, and I am the naked warner; so protect yourselves!’ Then a group of his people obeyed him and fled at night proceeding stealthily till they were safe, while another group of them disbelieved him and stayed at their places till morning when the army came upon them, and killed and ruined them completely So this is the example of that person who obeys me and follows what I have brought (the Quran and the Sunnah), and the example of the one who disobeys me and disbelieves the truth I have brought.”
Sayyidinaa Abu Huraira Radhi Allahu anhu narrated:
Allah’s Rasul [صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم] said, “All my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” They said, “Ya Rasulullah! Who will refuse?” He said, “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it).” Sahih al Bukhari
Allahu ta ‘ala defends His beloved Sayyidinaa Muhammad al Mustafaa صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم, who has fulfilled his duty and discharged faithful all of his responsibilities by His saying;
قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِ مَا حُمِّلَ وَعَلَيْكُمْ مَا حُمِّلْتُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ تُطِيعُوهُ تَهْتَدُوا ۚ وَمَا عَلَى الرَّسُولِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ
Say: “Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger: but if you turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on right guidance. The Messenger’s duty is only to preach the clear (Message). Suratun Nur [24] 54th ayah
Allahu ta ‘ala has instructed us through Suratul Fatihah to petition Him azza wa jalla for hidaya (guidance) to the Siratul Mustaqim. Concerning the petition of the believers for guidance:
“Guide us to the straight path”
Guidance (hidāya is direction (irshād ), and its basic meaning is to influence someone’s inclinations. The one who is guided is one who is aware of the Real and prefers His good pleasure and has faith in Him. The command in this verse is elided, for the meaning is “Say: Guide us.” The believers are already being rightly guided in the present moment, so the meaning is to petition for ongoing and ever increasing [guidance]. The straight path is the true path upon which are the people who declare God’s oneness.
The meaning of guide us is “cause us to incline to You,” “take us as Yours,” “be our guide (dalīl) to You,” “facilitate our way to You,” “arouse our aspiration for You,” and “bring our concerns together through You.”
“Prevent our innermost selves from witnessing all others (aghyār). Show in our hearts the rising of lights (anwār). Keep our seeking of You from the blemish of traces or effects (āthār). And cause us to rise from the waystations of studying and reasoning to gather (jamʿ) [together] on the plains of nearness and communion.”
“Take away our comfort with simulacra ( amthāl ) and outward appearances (ashkāl) through the intimate kindnesses and secrets you share with us [as we] find communion and witness the sublime and beautiful.”
“Direct us to the Real so that we will not put our trust in the intermediaries of [our] deeds, and so that the dust of vain opinions and suppositions will not fall upon the intent to profess divine unity.”
Guide us to the straight path, that is, “Remove from us the darkness of our states so that we may be illuminated by the lights of Your holiness from the shadows of our own seeking. And lift from us the shadow of our effort so that we may gain insight by the stars of Your liberality and find You through You.”
“Guide us to the straight path so that no associate from Satan’s insinuations and whisperings, and no friend from the inclinations and murmurings of the lower selves become our companions. Let not any stay in the familiar territories of blind following (taqlīd) keep us from the communion [of lovers]. Do not let reliance on routine instruction come between us and insight. Do not let any harm from drunkenness or indulgence seduce us, nor any conjecture or habit, laziness or weak desire, or coveting of wealth or increase.”
The straight path is that to which the Book and the sunna are a guide (dalīl), and there is no authority for innovation concerning it and no other way (sabīl) to it. The straight path possesses a soundness to which the guideposts of divine unity (dalāʾil al-tawḥīd) bear witness and the testimonies of realization (shawāhid al-taḥqīq) pay heed. The straight path is that upon which the pious forefathers (salaf) of the community tread and of its rightness the guideposts of admonition speak. The straight path is that which separates the traveler (sālik) from his worldly fortunes and concerns (ḥuẓūẓ) and the seeker (qāṣid) from his rights (ḥuqūq). The straight path is that which brings its traveler to the courtyard of unity. It calls its follower to witness the trace and effect of solicitude and liberality (jūd) so that he will not think it the result of [his own] endeavor (majhūd).
[1:7] the path of those whom You have favored
It means “the way (ṭarīq) of those whom You have favored with guidance to the straight path”—these are the friends (awliyāʾ) and chosen ones (aṣfiyāʾ). It is said that it is “the way of those whom You have annihilated from themselves and raised up through You for You. They do not stop along the way and the secrets of the divine ruse (makr) do not keep them from You.” It is said that it is “the path of those whom You have favored with upholding Your rights (ḥuqūq) without detours seeking to attract their worldly portions (ḥuẓūẓ).”
It is said that it is “the path of those whom You have purified from their [human] traces (āthār) so that they reach You through You.”
It is said that it is “the path of those whom You have favored to the point that they are wary of the tricks of Satan, the errors of the lower selves, and the imaginings of opinions and conjectures about arriving before the mortal human traces (āthār al-bashariyya) are extinguished.”
It is said that it is “the path of those whom You have favored with reflective thought (naẓar), [those who] seek help through You, declare themselves free of power and strength, witness the felicity that has already been determined for them, and have knowledge through the affirmation of Your unity of that which will come to pass, [thus] causing happiness and harm.”
It is said that it is “the path of those whom You have favored with being mindful of refined behavior (adab) at the times of service, and [with] being filled with the quality of awe (hayba).”
It is said that it is “the path of those whom You have favored by causing them to be mindful of the refined behaviors (ādāb) and precepts (aḥkām) of the law, [even while they are] under the sway of the unexpected intuitions of realities (bawādih al-ḥaqāʾiq), so that they do not go beyond the limit of knowledge (ʿilm) and do not violate any of the precepts of the law (shar ī ʿa) .”
It is said that it is “the path of those whom You have favored so that the suns of what they have come to know will not extinguish the lights of their scrupulousness (wara’) and they will not neglect any one of the precepts of servanthood (ʿubūdiyya) at the time of the manifestation of the authority of reality (sulṭān al-ḥaqīqa) .” Laṭāʾif al-Ishārāt” Subtle Illusions [Imam Abū l-Qāsim ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Qushayrī]
This Divine Ni’mah of Allahu ta ‘ala is only for those who obey Him and His Holy Rasul صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم. Obedience to Allahu ta ‘ala has been coupled with obedience to Allahu ta ‘ala and those who obey are mentioned with special favor. Allahu ta ‘ala says;
وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ ۚ وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا
[٤:٦٩]
And whoever obeys Allah and the Rasul are in the company of those on whom is the Ni’mah [Divine Grace] of Allah, of the Nabiyyeen [Prophets (who teach), the Siddiqeen [The ones who accept without questioning the veracity of the Messenger and the message], the Shuhadaa [those who bear witness to the Messenger and the message with their very being], and the Saliheen [Righteous ones who accepted and adopt]: Ah! what a beautiful fellowship! Suratun Nisaa 69th ayah.
From this we see that the path of certitude and salvation lies in the way of those who obey Allahu ta ‘ala and His Beloved Nabiy صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم. The Obedient Ones [Mutwee’een] who Obey Allahu ta ‘ala and His Rasul صلى الله عليه وآله وسلمare;
- All of the Nabiyyeen from Sayyidinaa Adam to Sayyidina Isaa ‘alaihimus salaam. They have been described as those who obey the orders of Sayyidinaa wa Mawlaana Muhammad صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم. Obedience by default also implies following. This is precisely what we see during Isra wal Miraj, where all of the Ambiyaa and Mursaleen [Prophets and Messengers] gathered at Masjid al Aqsaa and were led in Salaah by Imaamul Ambiyaa-e wal Mursaleen, Muddathir, Muzzammil, TaHa wa Yasin صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم.
- The Siddiqeen, the truthful ones who have the quality of Sidq, accepting and never doubting the message of the Beloved no matter what the misguided detractors say, and no matter what they may try to do to turn them back from the faith.
- The Shuhadaa, the Martyr who witness to the truthfulness of the Message send with our Habib Sayyidina Muhammad al Mustafaa صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم. Those who make the ultimate sacrifice to support and defend the Message and the Messenger صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم.
- The Saliheen, those who manifest their belief through action. At every turn they make whatever sacrifice that is within their power. The sincere worshipper who seeks the Glorious Face of their Rabb azza wa jalla, by obeying and emulating the Holy Last Messenger صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم in letter and spirit.
Allahu ta ‘ala ends the Ayatul Kareemah by saying, “What a beautiful fellowship they are.”
Allahu ta ‘ala confirms the mission of His Beloved صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم who has never wavered in carrying out his mission, has never doubted it, have never felt overwhelmed in fulfilling it by His saying;
وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ
[٤٢:٥]
And indeed you do guide to the Straight Way, -Suratush Shura [42] 5th ayah.
Further;
وَإِنَّكَ لَتَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ
[٢٣:٧٣]
And indeed you do call them to the Siratul Mustaqim. Suratul Mu’minoon [23], 73rd ayah.
And again;
قُلْ إِنَّنِي هَدَانِي رَبِّي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ دِينًا قِيَمًا مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
[٦:١٦١]
Say: “Indeed, my Rabb has guided me to Siratul Mustaqim, - the Right Deen- the Millat of Ibraham Hanifa, and he was not of these who associated partners with Allah.” Suratul An’am [6] 166th ayah.
And finally, lest we forget the Divine Mandate given to Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم;
وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
[٥٩:٧]
So take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you. And fear Allah; for Allah is strict in Punishment. Suratul Hashr [59] 7th ayah.
And;
وَإِنْ تُطِيعُوهُ تَهْتَدُوا ۚ وَمَا عَلَى الرَّسُولِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ
[٢٤:٥٤]
If ye obey him, ye shall be on right guidance. And no other duty is upon the Messenger except to expound [to you] the clear message. Suratun Nur[24] 53rdayah.
He is our Master Muhammad صلى الله عليه وآله وسلمthe Straight Path and our guide to the Straight Path leading to Allahu ta ‘ala at the end of our journey.
Wa Sall Allahu ta ‘alaa alaa Sayyidinaa wa Mawlaana Muhammadin Sayyidul Mursaleen, wa Imaamul Muttaqeen wa Hadi ila Siratul Mustaqim wa ‘Alaa Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Dhurriyaatihi wa Awliyaa wa ‘alaa Ibaadillahis saliheen, wa sallim tasliman kathiran kathira Bi Rahmatika Ya Arhamar Rahimeen