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Is Allah who guides a person to Islam or a person?

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Is Allah who guides a person to Islam or a person?
Anonymous
05/01/03 at 03:10:23
May Allah keep all of you in good health with healthy Imeen. There are a lot of
good brothers and sisters who are member of this Jannah's city, and I enjoy reading any
thing posted by them. I have a question or should I say that I am confused, if any one
could help me¡­.? ..:) Before you answer my puzzled question please read the whole thing.

Is Allah who guides a person to Islam or a person picks his own religion?

1) If Allah is the one who guides whom he wishes to guides then one does not have choice
to pick his or her religion. As we all know that Allah is the most Just, knowing that,
how can Allah penalize if He does not gives the right to pick religion.

2) On the other hand Allah says in the Quran that He guides whom he wishes and Mohammed
you can not guide any one but He. Quran Ch28 Vrs 48, 49 and 52 ( I paraphrased) We know
nothing in between Haven and Earth take place but with Allah¡¯s wills.

I am looking forward to read what all of you have to say about it. I ask Allah to keep us
on His beauty full religion of Islam.
Salam

Re: Is Allah who guides a person to Islam or a per
mr-bean
05/01/03 at 08:23:40
[slm]

(1)  There is a famous hadith stating that everybody is born a muslim and his/her  parents make him/her  a Christian or  a Jew, etc..   So by default everybody is muslim.

(2)  There are many ayat like "Allah guides who ever he wills and causes who ever he wills to stray...."   As far as I understand this should be understood in the following context:  the prophet and his companions exerted their lives, their money, and every bit of themselves to teach people about the wisdom of Islam and oneness of God.  In fact there is an ayat warning the prophet "perhaps you will kill yourself in grief because of their turning away from the message and because they don't believe in it."   So ayat like  "Allah causes whoever he wills to stray" was meant to comfort the prophet and the muslims -- and essentially stated:  don't worry, there are some people who by means of their free-will simply will not choose islam.  You cannot do anything about them.  

This lesson is: as a muslim you can only try to teach people the truth -- whether they are receptive to it or not is not your problem.  That is between them and Allah.

(3)  Allah knows the future and the past by virtue of being  the All Knowing.  However , that doesn't necessarily mean that Allah forces people to make the choices they do.  In that sense we have free will, but our actions are still pre-ordained as Allah already knows the future and what we will do.  Of course this is confusing.  But in reality we as human beings are not supposed to be able understand what free will and predestination are really about.  Those issues are matters belonging to the unseen, and we have not been given enough data to be able to understand or really make any conclusions about  free will, predestination and more generally -- the unseen.  

In fact we are warned about trying to draw too many conclusions about such issues for which we have no knowledge about.  The prophet warned that the people before the sahabah went astray because of their excessive dwelling in such unresolvable issues..

Summary:  Every body has free will to choose/reject islam and his actions are still pre-ordained, and despite what you think there is no contradiction between the two.  
05/01/03 at 08:25:26
mr-bean
Re: Is Allah who guides a person to Islam or a per
bhaloo
05/01/03 at 09:01:33
[slm]

The issue of free will and predestination has been discussed before on the board, but you'll have to use the search feature (hahahaha, good luck in trying to figure out the search feature).

The following was from former Isna president, Dr. Siddiqqi.



Please explain what is the concept of fate in Islam. We Muslims say that Allah knows everything. He knows what is going to happen to us and He knows what our end will be. If Allah knows all these things, so why are we being judged? We don't have our own will to do anything; in that case whatever we may do Allah already has our fate decided. Please reply. (Omer Masud, Melbourne, Florida)

A 1. We do not use the word "fate" in Islam. The word "fate" means "the power that determines the outcome of events before they occur". Some people believe in fate as an independent and invisible power that controls their destinies. Such people are called "fatalists". A Muslim is not a fatalist person. Muslims believe in Allah and only Allah has the power to predetermine anything. Allah is "al-Qadir" (the All Powerful or Omnipotent) and "al-'Aleem" (the All Knower, Omniscient). Since Allah has power over every thing, He must know every thing. He must know things before they happen, because if He knew things after they happened, He would not have full power over them. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala not only knows things, but He also decides and determines everything in His universe. Whatever happens in this world happens according to Allah's decision and plan. In Islamic terminology this principle is known as "al-qada wa al-qadar"(the decision and determination of Allah). It is a very important principle of Iman (faith).


Does this mean that we human beings have no freedom? It seems that way apparently to some people. One Western scholar put the problem very interestingly in the following words: "If God knows everything He must know the future, and if He knows the future, He must know the future acts of His creatures. But then His creatures must act, as He knows they will act. How then can they be free?" There are many people who became confused by looking at the problem in this way. There were also some Muslim thinkers who believed that human beings have no freedom. They were called "Jabriyah". The majority of Muslim scholars did not accept this position, they strongly criticized and condemned this position and considered it against the teachings of the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah. The mainstream Muslim position is that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has the knowledge of all things and He has the power over all things. Allah, however, has also granted freedom to human beings. Allah's power and foreknowledge do not mean that human beings have no freedom, nor does Human freedom negate Allah's power and foreknowledge. Human beings are free only as much as Allah has granted them the freedom. However, inspire of our human freedom we are still under the control of Allah and within His knowledge. Allah will judge us according to the freedom and responsibility that He gave us. He knows very well how much freedom we have and to what extent we are able to exercise our freedom, each one of us in our own circumstances. It is for this reason that we say that only Allah is the True and Final Judge. In the Qur'an He is called "Ahkam al-hakimin" (the best of all the judges).

When we carefully examine our own selves and the world around us, we see two things very clearly. On the one hand we find ourselves overwhelmed by forces that are apparently beyond our decision and control, but on the other hand we do experience real freedom and we make our choices between various options.

Thus the truth is that we are free and we are determined both at the same time. Our freedom is very limited, nevertheless it does exist and it is the deciding factor for our responsibility and consequently for the eternal reward or punishment.

In the Qur'an Allah has spoken about His control and power as well as human freedom and responsibility. Both aspects are very clearly mentioned in the Qur'an. The best way to understand and interpret the Qur'an is to keep both of these aspect in mind. We should not emphasize our freedom at the expense of Allah's power and knowledge, nor should we speak about Allah's power and knowledge by negating and denying our own freedom and responsibility. Maulana Maududi -may Allah bless his soul- in his book Qada and Qadar (in Urdu) collected both types of verses from the Qur'an. Following a selection of these Qur'anic statements.

On Allah's power and control, see the following verses:

All power belongs to Allah (al-Baqarah 2:165). Say, Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the One the Mighty (al-Ra'd 13:16). Allah has created you and all that you do (al-Saffat 37:96). No female conceives, nor does she bring forth a child save with His knowledge. And no one is granted long life, not is anything diminished of its life, but it is all recorded in a book... (al-Fatir 35:11). No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but is recorded in a decree before We bring it into existence. That is truly easy for Allah. In order that you may not despair over matters that pass you by, not exult over favors bestowed upon you. For Allah loves not any vainglorious boaster" (al-Hadid 57:22-23). To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. He enlarges the provisions for whomsoever He pleases and straitens it for whomsoever He pleases. Surely He knows all things full well (al-Shura 42:12). And say not of anything, 'I shall do it tomorrow', unless Allah wills... (al-Kahf 18:23-24). If Allah touch you with affliction there is none to remove it but He; and if He touch you with happiness, then He has power to do all that He wills (al-An'am 6:17). Whom Allah will, He lets go astray, and whom He wills, He places on the right path (al-An'am 6:39). Do you desire to guide him whom Allah has caused to perish? And for him whom Allah causes to perish you shall not find a way (al-Nisa' 4:88). If your Lord has enforced His will, surely, all those who are on the earth would have believed together.

Will you then force people to become believers? And none can believe except by the permission of Allah (Yunus 10:99-100). But on the human freedom and responsibility read the following verses:

Neither according to your desires, nor according to the desires of the People of the Book, whosoever will do evil will be requited accordingly and shall not find beside Allah any protector or helper. If any do deeds of righteousness, be they male or female, and have faith, they will enter heaven and not the least injustice will be done to them (al-Nisa' 4:123-124). This because Allah does never change a favor that He has conferred upon a people until they change their own condition... (al-Anfal 9:53). Every person stands pledged for what he has earned (al-Tur 52:21). It is the truth from your Lord; wherefore let his who will, believe, and let him who will, disbelieve (al-Kahf 18:29). This is a reminder. So let him, who will, take a way unto his Lord (al-Muzzammil 73:19). And hasten towards forgiveness from your Lord... (Al 'Imran 3:133). O our people, respond to God's summoner and believe in him (al-Ahqaf 46:31). Turn to your Lord and submit yourselves to Him... (al-Zumar 39:54). Corruption has spread on land and sea because of what people's hands have wrought (al-rum 30:41). Whatever misfortune befalls you is the consequence of what your own hands have wrought. And Allah forgive many of your sins (al-Shura 42:30). Indeed Allah does not wrong the people at all, it is they wrong their own selves (Yunus 10:44). As for Thamud, We guided them, but they preferred blindness to guidance (Fussilat 41:17). There is no compulsion in religion. Surely the right way has become distinct from error (al-Baqarah 2:256).

The Qur'an has no contradictions. Allah's power and knowledge and human freedom are not mutually exclusive. Whatever freedom we have is granted to us by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and we should use it to submit to Him freely and willingly. This is the honor that Allah has given us and for this honor angels were asked by Allah to bow in respect and honor of the progenitor of the human race Adam -may the peace of Allah be upon him.
Re: Is Allah who guides a person to Islam or a per
Taalibatul_ilm
05/01/03 at 09:25:26
[slm]
Allah, ta'aalaa Himself explains this concept, often misunderstood by both Muslims and non-Muslims.  The Qur'an explains itself many times in other places in the Qur'an (tafseer al-Qur'an bil-Qur'an).
In the Glorious Qur'an, (interpretation of the meaning):
Surah Al-Maa'idah 15-16 (5:15-16) "There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book [al-Qur'an]. * By which Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light by His permission, and guides them to a straight path."

Surah Ar-Ra'd 28 (13:28) "Say [O Muhammed], Indeed, Allah leaves astray whom He will and guides to Himself whoever turns back [to Him]."


He also explains:
Surah Al-Baqarah 26 (2:26) "He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby.  And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient. "
Surah At-Tawbah 37 (9:37) "And Allah does not guide the disbelieving poeple."
Surah Ghaafir 34 (40:34) "Thus does Allah leave astray he who is a transgressor and skeptic."


We then can see that Allah guides those who turn to Him and misleads those who are defiantly disobedient in their disbelief.  In other words, we are responsible for our own guidance or misleading.  Allah is completely Just, and if our fates were predetermined with no free will to choose, that would not be just.  We make our own choices and are responsible for them.

There are stages of disbelief, and when the disbelief is stubborn and defiant, the hearts are sealed, but this is due to their own stubborn disbelief.
An-NaHl 107-108 (16:107-108)
"That is because they preferred the worldly life over the Hereafter and that Allah does not guide the disbelieving people. * Those are the ones over whose hearts and hearing and vision Allah has sealed, and it is those who are the heedless."
Ghaafir 35 "Thus does Allah seal over every heart [belonging to] an arrogant tyrant."

***************************
"Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourslef mercy.  Indeed, You are the Bestower." 3:8
Re: Is Allah who guides a person to Islam or a per
sofia
05/01/03 at 12:11:59
As-salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah,

[quote]There is a famous hadith stating that everybody is born a muslim and his/her parents make him/her a Christian or a Jew, etc.. So by default everybody is muslim.[/quote]

The hadith states: "No child is born except on fitrah" (natural disposition/inclination towards monotheism/tawheed). While it does connote having a disposition towards following a true form of monotheism (ie, Islaam), it doesn't necessarily mean "Muslim." Allahu A'lim. That hadith is probably why many prefer to use the term "revert," rather than "convert."

[url=http://www.thetruereligion.org/fitrah.htm#2]Fitrah[/url], by itself, is different from consciously deciding to believe in and worship the One, True God. In other words, it's the disposition/inclination towards it, and those who consciously decide and act, are different and more noble than those who are simply "born" into Islaam (Ad-deen al-fitrah) and don't actually follow-up on their fitrah. Allahu A'lim.

Rhetorical question: if a child was born/left on a stranded island (and I dunno, raised by a monkey), would s/he grow up to believe in the trinity? what naturally comes to the human mind? There was secular study done not long ago, that found there's a part of the human brain that has a natural disposition towards believing in (one) God, which I wish I could find now. My point: humans are taught to disbelieve in/associate with God; it's not a natural disposition.

We can ask the same rhetorical question regarding the belief in Prophet Muhammad (S) being the last prophet of God. However, the above was an exercise in tawheed/belief in the oneness of God (belief in Lordship precedes belief in Prophethood). The fact that we have to consciously learn about other teachings of Islaam, goes along with the fact that Islaam is not about having blind faith. To be a Muslim is to believe in the Prophets, the Books, the Angels, the Day of J, etc, among other things, that completes/perfects our faith. Being a believer in monotheism is a step in the right direction (and a prerequisite), but doesn't necessarily complete our faith as Muslims. Allahu A'lim. Having said all that, it's still correct when some scholars interpret "fitrah" to mean the deen of Islaam (ie, Muslim), but just wanted to mention the slight difference. Allahu A'lim.

Anyhow, related to the actual question, and as everyone has already mentioned, those who choose to follow a certain path, are helped by God. For example, if Person A sincerely chooses to follow Islaam, s/he is helped by God to do so until/if they choose otherwise. If Person B chooses to deny God or His teachings, he can similarly be "aided" in going astray. It's not really that simple, but ultimately, it's the path we choose, which Allah already knows. Somewhat separate issues, Qadr (power; predestination) and Qada'a (execution of predetermined affairs). Bottom line: the disposition is set for us, and it's up to us to choose. Allahu A'lim.

"..Verily, God will  not change the condition of a people until they change it themselves..." [Translation of the Qur'aan, Ar-Ra'ad/The Thunder 13:11]

"...And the command of God is a decree determined." [The Confederates 33:38]

"So set your face towards the religion of pure Monotheism/Hanifa, God's nature/Fitrah with which He has created mankind. Let there be no change in the creation of God/Khalq­illâh: that is the straight religion, but most men know not. [Ar-Room/The Romans 30:30]
NS
05/01/03 at 12:20:14
sofia
Re: Is Allah who guides a person to Islam or a per
Dawn
05/01/03 at 15:21:26
[slm]
[quote author=bhaloo link=board=madrasa;num=1051769424;start=0#2 date=05/01/03 at 09:01:33]The issue of free will and predestination has been discussed before on the board, but you'll have to use the search feature (hahahaha, good luck in trying to figure out the search feature).
[/quote]
You can find that thread [url=http://www.jannah.org/cgi-bin/madina/YaBB.pl?board=archives;action=display;num=1018915513]HERE[/url].

Re: Is Allah who guides a person to Islam or a per
Abu_Hamza
05/03/03 at 09:07:26
[slm]

Dawn, hmm, so I guess we never answered those questions of yours in that other thread either huh?

The question of free will and predestination is not one which has no sensible answer.  In fact, some scholars of Islam have given extremely coherent and logical answers to these questions (ex. Imam Ibn al-Qayyim in his Al-Shifaa al-Aleel, etc.)  But the problem is, a lot of these works are not translated into English yet.  What continues to be translated about this particular topic is summaries, and not a comprehensive discourse, which is really unfortunate.

Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui (may Allah preserve him) has a 5-lecture series (in English) on this topic at Islamicity, based on Ibn al-Qayyim's book, that may be really helpful (click [url=http://islamicity.com/multimedia/CyberTV/ch32/]here[/url] for the web site.  Scroll down to "al qada wal kadar).  The lecture used to be free for download, however Islamicity has recently started asking people to register and charge money to watch the videos.  The price is really cheap though, so if you can afford it, I would *highly* recommend you to listen to those talks.  

Otherwise, we need Br. Abu Khaled back here!  

Or, someone from Ottawa (Deenb4Dunya :)) can perhaps summarize what the lectures on Islamicity talk about, since the talks were given in Ottawa two years ago.

Wassalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.
Re: Is Allah who guides a person to Islam or a per
deenb4dunya
05/03/03 at 09:15:41
Will do. Here is a VERY brief summary (of an interesting yet complex issue)... let me know if anything is ambiguous, or any words not understood...

[center]“AL-QADAA’ WAL-QADAR”
(Divine Decree and Destiny)
Session given by Shaikh Mokhtar Maghraoui
[/center]

A. INTRODUCTION

Al-Qadaa’ wal-Qadar is one of the most fundamental aspects of Islam. It is extremely important to have a clear understanding of what this topic means, because it is very closely tied in with the attributes of Allah SWT. Before we discuss this subject, we also need to be thinking in a certain context, which is that Allah SWT’s attributes need to be understood in their own reality and not to be limited to humanity’s level of thought or understanding. This means that, though our perception of reality is limited to our universe and to the spatial and temporal aspects that we are restricted by, we cannot project our perception of reality on Allah SWT and His attributes when we are describing Him.

B. AL-QADAA’ WAL-QADAR IN THEORY

We use language to describe Allah SWT and our language is restricted to our four dimensional realm of length, width, height and time. However, Allah SWT is supra-dimensional and is not limited by these factors. For example, when we say that Allah SWT is  samee‘ (The All-Hearing), we need to remember that we are using a four-dimensional word to describe Allah SWT’s supra-dimensional characteristics. Thus, we have to be very aware that while we are saying Allah SWT is samee‘, we acknowledge that He is  samee‘ in accordance to His divine attributes and His divine essence, and not in the way we would use this word to describe His creation.  We need to apply this rule whenever we refer to any of Allah SWT’s attributes.
     
This limitation of our perception as human beings to our four dimensional universe also affects us in how we view time. Because we are subjected to time, we view it in a very temporal context since we, physically, can only live in the present at any time. Allah SWT is not subjected to time, as He created it. Thus, when we speak about Allah SWT and time, we must disengage ourselves from our mentality as it relates to time. Allah SWT can exist in the past, present and future all at once, because He is not affected by time and its limitations.
     
One example of how Allah SWT is not subjected to time is the prophecies He gave to some of the prophets. For example, Allah SWT told Sayidna Moosa and Sayidna ‘Isa that there would be a messenger named Muhammad (saws) and that certain changes would only come about through the coming of this messenger. The prophecies were of events that would occur in the future, which demonstrates that Allah SWT already knew exactly what would be taking place in future before it took place. Also, the fact that the events took place exactly as He said they would means that things happen as they happen because He decided that it be so. Thus, the future is already known and already decided. The concept of prophecies shows us that things that happen in the future happen with Allah SWT’s knowledge and within His will.
     
The concept of causality is one that follows from the concept of time. As human beings, we see in our universe, which is limited by space-time, that cause and affect is very fundamental. However, we need to remember that outside of our universe, things are not dictated by time, as so cause and affect does not have to exist. This includes how we need to perceive Allah SWT. Nothing caused Him.

C. AL-QADAA’ WAL-QADAR IN THE QUR’AN AND SUNNAH

One hadeeth which demonstrates the importance of believing in Al-Qadaa’ and Al-Qadar is the one in which ‘Obada tells his son, “Oh my son, you will not taste the sweetness of Eemaan until you know that that which befalls you was not meant to miss you and that that which misses you was not meant to befall you, for I have heard Rasoulu Allah (saws) saying that the first that Allah created was the pen and that the pen was instructed to write. When the pen asked what to write, Allah said, ‘write all that will happen in space-time until the day of judgment.’”

Another hadeeth which discusses Al-Qadaa’ and Al-Qadar is the one which tells us that Allah SWT has recorded the maqadeer (plural of Qadar) of everything 50 000 years before He created the heavens and the earth.



Allah SWT also said,

“There is not an occurrence that occurs on Earth or in yourselves but is recorded in a decree before We bring it into existence, that is truly easy for Allah.” (57:22)

A very important thing to remember is that we should not become discouraged when we hear about Al-Qadaa’ and Al-Qadar and feel that we have no control over our actions or our future. This is where tawheed ur-ruboobiyah and tawheed ul-‘uboodiyah come in. Tawheed ur-ruboobiyah comes from understanding Al-Qadar and accepting it while tawheed ul-‘uboodiyah requires action. For example, when we say, “I do things because I choose to do them” this is tawheed ul-‘uboodiyah, while “my choice is because Allah SWT gave me the ability to choose” is tawheed ur-ruboobiyah. It is crucial that we maintain a balance and understanding of the two in order to achieve inner peace.

D. THE FOUR MANIFESTATIONS OF AL-QADAA’ WAL-QADAR

When we speak about Al-Qadaa’ and Al-Qadar we need to consider the four manifestations of Al-Qadaa’ and Al-Qadar. These are:
1)  ‘ilm-ullah
2)  Kitabat-ullah
3)  Iradat-ullah, and
4)  Khalq-ullah

1) ‘ilm-ullah refers to the fact that Allah SWT knows everything, both material and immaterial. By immaterial, this means that Allah SWT knows people’s thoughts and feelings as well concrete facts and events.

2) Kitabat-ullah refers to the recordings and writings of Allah SWT. (When we say writings we must remember to consider this in the supra-dimensional context as it applies to Allah SWT).

3) Iradat-ullah refers to Allah SWT’s will, which is divided into two types: iradah kowniyyah (mashee’ah) and iradah shar‘iyyah. Iradah kowniyyah, cosmic will, is everything that Allah SWT wills in the sense that it will happen but that He does not necessarily love. Examples of things that will fall under this include people’s destiny, the earth’s shape, people’s DNA, and people’s ability to choose. That Allah SWT gave us the will to choose is part of His iradah kowniyyah. Allah SWT says in the Qur’an,

“And you have no will except that Allah willed that you have it”.

Iradah kowniyyah is constant. We have no access to it and it has to do with the supra-dimensional world.

Iradah shar‘iyyah is Allah SWT’s will that human beings behave in a certain way. For example, this iradah includes Allah SWT’s will that we do good things and not do bad things. It is not an all-encompassing will in the sense that human beings have the choice to obey or disobey it. Thus, this will is a four-dimensional will and has to do with tawheed ul-‘uboodiyah.

4. Khalq-ullah refers to the fact that Allah SWT created everything. This is a kowny concept and means that everything outside of the Creator SWT is a creation, include our deeds and actions.
     
E. APPLICATION OF AL-QADAA’ WAL-QADAR

With this knowledge of Al-Qadaa’ and Al-Qadar, we need to know how to properly apply it. Some basic factors of applying this knowledge depend on maintaining a balance between tawheed ur-ruboobiyah and tawheed ul-‘uboodiyah. One important thing to remember is that du‘a’ is still very important and makes a big difference. As far as our limited dimensions are concerned, we are still responsible for acting appropriately and not just depending on things to happen. This is tawheed ul-‘uboodiyah. The reason we make du‘a’, which is our knowledge that Allah SWT knows everything and must will everything to happen, is actually part of tawheed ur-ruboobiyah.

Another important fact to remember is that we should not use the argument of Al-Qadaa’ and Al-Qadar before something occurs to excuse ourselves from action. This would be a violation of tawheed ul-‘uboodiyah. However, after we have tried our hardest and fulfilled tawheed ul-‘uboodiyah, if we have not gotten the outcome we were hoping for, we should accept this as part of Al-Qadaa’ and Al-Qadar. This way, we have fulfilled tawheed ul-‘uboodiyah and by accepting the outcome, we have also fulfilled tawheed ur-ruboobiyah.

F. DID ALLAH SWT CREATE EVIL?

There are also several questions that arise from this discussion of Al-Qadaa’ and Al-Qadar. The first is, did Allah SWT create evil? This question is fundamental to the understanding of Al-Qadaa’ and Al-Qadar. First of all, we notice that it is never mentioned in the Qur’an or Hadeeth that evil is attributed to Allah SWT:

"In Your Hands is all good. Verily over all things You have Power" (3:26).

There is also a du‘a’ of Rasoulu Allah (saws) which says:

“All good is in Your Hands, and evil is not from You.”

Also, when Iradatu-Shar (will for evil) is mentioned, in Suratul-Jinn, it is mentioned in the passive, not the active, form:

"Whether ill is intended to those on earth, or whether their Lord intends to guide them to right conduct" (72:10).

With this in mind, we notice that there are two types of evil to consider. The first is  pure evil.  This is something that would be 100% evil and 0% good, and Allah SWT does not bring into existence that which is pure evil, therefore, it does not exist in creation. The second type of evil is relative evil. This means that something may be evil in relation to other parameters, but that its mere existence does not imply that it is evil. This type of evil does exist in creation. Relative evil is called so because in it there are elements that are absent but necessary for khayr (good). An example of something that is relatively evil is fire. Fire is actually good and very useful. It is used for many important things such as cauterizing wounds and cooking food. It is only when fire is used in a way that it shouldn’t be used, such as arson, that it becomes evil.

However, regardless of whether we use something for good or evil, the results of our actions are within the mashee’ah of Allah SWT.

A second important question is whether there is any good in the creation of shaytan. Scholars say that there are many good aspects in his creation. One of these is that shaytan represents a challenge that draws the best potential from human beings. Therefore, we can say that even shaytan is only relatively evil and not 100% pure evil.

05/03/03 at 09:18:05
deenb4dunya
Re: Is Allah who guides a person to Islam or a per
AbdulJalil
05/03/03 at 11:09:41
Assalamu Alaikum

we cannot just take verses one by one sometimes,you
need to connect them with other verses,otherwise you
will be reading them out of context and without understanding.

Anyone who sincerely seek guidance,will be guided,Inshallah.those who
will to be guided,will be guided.Allah(swt) will not mislead people
arbitrarily.

[Qur'an 76: 3]


"Indeed, We showed him the way, it is for him whether he is grateful
or ungrateful."


[Qur'an76:29]

"Verily, this (Verses of the Qur'aan) is an admonition, so
whosoever
wills, let him take a Path to his Lord (Allaah)"



[Qur'an 29: 69]

"Those who strive in Our way, We will certainly guide them to our
Paths: For verily Allah is with those who do right"




there are some who consciously and persistently reject Allah
(swt),and do not want to be guided (of course,if they were to
ask,they could still be guided)and are rebellious against God:

[Qur'an 7:146-147]


"Those who behave arrogantly on the earth in defiance of right -
them will I turn away from My signs: Even if they see all the signs,
they will not believe in them; and if they see the way of right
conduct, they will not adopt it as the way; but if they see the way
of error, that is the way they will adopt. For they have rejected our
signs, and failed to take warning from them. Those who reject Our
signs and the meeting in the Hereafter,- vain are their deeds: Can
they expect to be rewarded except as they have wrought?



[Qur'an 15:14-15]

"Even if We opened out to them a gate from heaven and they were
to continue (all day) ascending therein,they would only say: "Our
eyes have been (as if) dazzled:Nay,we have been bewitched by
sorcery."





[Qur'an 41: 4-5]

"Giving good news and admonition: yet most of them turn away, and
so they hear not. They say: "Our hearts are under veils, (concealed)
from that to which you invite us, and in our ears in a deafness, and
between us and you is a screen: so do you (what you will); for us, we
shall do (what we will!)"




[Qur'an 8 :23]

"Had Allah known of any good in them, He would indeed have made them
listen, and even if He had made them listen, they would but have
turned away, averse (to the truth). "





[Qur'an 45.15]

"Whoever does good, it is for his own soul, and whoever does
evil, it is against himself;Then to your Lord you will be made to
return"








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