A common opening to sermons involves reciting a prayer praising Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his family. Within this prayer, a frequently heard phrase is:
Man-yahdihillahu fala mudilla lahu wa man-yudlilhu fala hadiya lah
Typically translated as:
Whomever Allah guides, no one can misguide, and whomever Allah misguides, no one can guide.
However, this translation and its implications raise crucial questions about free will and divine justice in Islam. Does Allah actively misguide individuals, contradicting the Quran’s emphasis on personal choice and accountability? Let’s examine the relevant verses from the Quran to understand this better.
The Quran emphasizes the freedom of choice given to humanity:
“There shall, none the less, most certainly come unto you guidance from Me: and those who follow My guidance need have no fear, and neither shall they grieve; but those who are bent on denying the truth and giving the lie to Our messages – they are destined for the fire, and therein shall they abide.” (2:38-39)
“And say: “The truth [has now come] from your Sustainer: let, then, him who wills, believe in it, and let him who wills, reject it.”” (18:29)
These verses clearly state that Allah grants individuals the freedom to accept or reject His guidance. This raises a fundamental question: if Allah grants this freedom, how can the saying “Whomever He guides, no one can misguide, and whomever He misguides, no one can guide” be reconciled? Doesn’t this create a contradiction, and isn’t Allah beyond contradiction (4:82)? Furthermore, the Quran itself states that it contains no cause for doubt (2:2, 32:2).
Allah commands us in the Quran to reflect and ponder (34:46). We cannot simply dismiss complex issues by saying “Allah knows best.” As Allama Iqbal urged, “Ai Musalman apne dil se pooch, Mullah se na pooch.” (Oh Muslims! Ask your own hearts, do not ask Mullah).
In Islam, Allah is the ultimate authority, and the Quran is our primary connection to Him. Allah protects the Quran (15:9), and it is complete (6:115), leaving nothing essential unaddressed (6:38). Those who disregard the Quran’s teachings are described in strong terms (5:44, 5:45, 5:47).
Does Allah Actively Misguide?
The notion that Allah personally misguides individuals raises further questions. If Allah can do anything, including arbitrarily sending people to heaven or hell, why was the Quran revealed? Why were prophets sent, enduring hardship and opposition? Why did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions face so many trials? If Allah could directly punish the enemies of Islam, why did He instead command believers to fight them, sometimes at the cost of their own lives?
Claiming “Allah can do anything” can also negate personal responsibility. If Allah predetermines one’s path, why hold individuals accountable for their actions? Is it fair to condemn someone to hell if Allah Himself misguided them? The Quran attributes the claim that God misguided him to Iblees (15:39). Therefore, we must seriously contemplate these critical questions.
Learning from Nature’s Guidance
Consider the question: Does Nature misguide anyone? Nature offers guidance in countless ways, from the stars that guided ancient travelers to modern navigation systems. Nature reveals the path to truth and falsehood in every field of knowledge.
It is not Nature that misguides us, but our imperfect understanding, flawed designs, and inaccurate observations. When our knowledge aligns with Nature’s laws, we succeed. Nature acts as a touchstone for validating scientific hypotheses.
Is the Quran a Source of Misguidance?
The central question “Does Allah misguide anyone?” can be reframed as “Does the Quran misguide anyone?” Allah’s final and complete message to humanity is contained within the Quran (6:115, 6:38, 10:37, 5:48). No subsequent book or prophet will come after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) (33:40). Our relationship with Allah is therefore solely through His Book.
Allah reveals that the Quran guides and brings glad tidings to the believers (2:97). Following the Quran leads to benefit; neglecting it leads to consequences (10:108). Guidance comes from adhering to the Quran, and misguidance results from rejecting it. There is no ambiguity here.
The choice to follow the Quran is ours, and the outcome is a direct result of that choice. It is like entering data into a computer: the accuracy of the output depends on the input. Allah does not arbitrarily choose who receives guidance or misguidance; rather, it depends on whether one chooses the Quran as their guide.
Reinterpreting the Saying
Therefore, a more accurate interpretation of the saying is:
“Whoever follows the Quran will be guided by Allah, and no one can misguide them, and whoever does not follow the Quran, will not be guided by Allah, will be misguided, and no one can guide them.”
Allah doesn’t directly intervene in our affairs; we must act according to His laws. Allah does not change our condition unless we change ourselves (13:11). While the Quran contains verses attributing actions to Allah, these can be understood in the context of “Allah’s law.” Our connection to Allah is through His laws. We must use these laws to realize our potential.
We apply Allah’s laws in the material world for scientific advancement. Similarly, we must apply His laws (the Quran) for moral, ethical, and spiritual growth in the human world.
Examples from the Quran:
“Surely, Allah [i.e., Allah’s law] wastes not the reward of the Muhsinun.” (9:120)
“Surely, Allah [i.e., Allah’s law] guides not the plot of the betrayers.” (12:52)
“Verily, Allah [i.e., Allah’s law] does not set right the work of Al-Mufsidun (evil-doers, corrupts etc.)” (10:81)
“And Allah [i.e., Allah’s law] guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” (9:24)
And finally,
فَيُضِلُّ اللَّـهُ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ
(14:4) – God lets go astray him that wills [to go astray], and guides him that wills [to be guided]
يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ
(16:93) – He lets go astray him that wills [to go astray], and guides aright him that wills [to be guided]
فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ
(35:8) – For, verily, God lets go astray him that wills [to go astray], just as He guides him that wills [to be guided].
