The Name of Allaah: Al-Haadee (the Guide)

Source: An-Nahj al-Asmaa fee Sharh Asmaa’ Allaahu al-Husna by Shaikh Muhammad an-Najdi

This Noble Name, Al-Haadee, is mentioned twice in the Noble Qur’an.

Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat al-Hajj (22:54)

وإن الله لهاد الذين آمنوا إلى صراط مستقيم

“And indeed Allaah is the Guide, of those who believe, to the Straight Path.”

And He (Ta’ala) says in Surat al-Furqaan (25:31):

وكفى بربك هاديا ونصيرا

“But Sufficient is your Lord as a Guide and Helper.”

The meaning of the Name

Ibn Jarir (Rahimahullaah) said regarding the Statement of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning):

“And Allaah is the Guide, of those who believe, to the Straight Path,” that Allaah (Ta’ala) guides those who have believed in Allaah and His Messenger, to the manifest Truth.” [Jami’ul-Bayaan]

Ibn Jarir (Rahimahullaah) also said regarding Allaah’s Statement (interpretation of the meaning), “and Sufficient is your Lord as a Guide,” Allaah says to His Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “It is sufficient for you O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), that your Lord is a Guide Who guides you to the Truth and makes you see the (right) guidance.” [Jami’ul Bayaan]

Az-Zajjaj said: “Al-Haadee is the One Who has guided His creation to know Him and know His Ruboobiyyah (Lordship); He is the One Who guides His servants to the Straight Path, as He says in Surat Yunus (10:25):

ويهدي من يشاء إلى صراط مستقيم

“And guides whom He wills to a Straight Path.” [Tafseer al-Asmaa’]

Az-Zajjaji (his student) said: “Allaah (Azza wa Jall), Al-Haadee, guides His servants to Him, shows them the way to Him and to the way of goodness and deeds that bring them closer to Him (Azza wa Jall).” [Ishtiqaq al-Asmaa’]

Al-Khattaabi said: “Al-Haadee is the One Who confers His guidance upon whom He wills of His servants, such that He particularizes them with His guidance and honors them with the light of His Tawheed (Monotheism); as He says in Surat Yunus (10:25):

ويهدي من يشاء إلى صراط مستقيم

“…and He guides whom He wills to a Straight Path.”

He (Ta’ala) is the One Who guides the rest of the creation of animals to their interests (benefits), and inspires in them, how to seek their sustenance, and how to protect themselves from the harms and destruction; as Allaah (Ta’ala) mentions what Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) said in Surat Ta-Ha (20:50):

الذي أعطى كل شئ خلقه ثم هدى

“He Who gave to each thing its form and nature, then guided it aright.” [Sha’n ad-Du’aa]

Al-Hulaimee said: “Al-Haadee is the One Who guides to and shows the way of salvation in order that the slave will not divert, go astray and fall into what brings him destruction.” [Al-Minhaaj]

Al-Baihaiqi said: “It is He Who guides His special believing slaves with His guidance; and with His guidance the animal is guided to what reforms it and avoids what harms it.” [Al-I’tiqaad]

Shaikh as-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “Al-Haadee is the One Who guides and directs His servants towards all that would be of benefit to them and keeps them away from all what would bring them harm. He is the One Who teaches them what they do not know and guides them with a guidance that keeps them firm upon the Straight Path. He is the One Who inspires their hearts with Taqwaa and makes them penitent (turning to Him) and compliant to His Commands.” [Tayseer al-Kareem]

The impact of believing in this Name

[1] Indeed, Allaah is the Guide for His servants, the One showing them the way of Truth and faith, by sending the Messengers and sending down the Books which are comprised of His Speech and by setting/putting the signs in the Heavens and earth.

As for the Messengers, (Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon them), they are the plea of Allaah over His creation. They exerted their utmost in guiding the people day and night, secretly and publicly, with gentle words, eloquent speech and profound (thorough) admonitions.

Allaah says in Surat Ibraheem (14:4):

وما أرسلنا من رسول إلا بلسان قومه ليبين لهم فيضل الله من يشاء ويهدي من يشاء وهو العزيز الحكيم

“And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people, in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them. Then Allaah misleads whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the All-Mighty the All-Wise.”

And that was in every nation as He (Ta’ala) says in Surat ar-Ra’d (13:7):

إنما أنت منذر ولكل قوم هاد

“You are only a warner and to every people there is a guide.”

And Allaah (Ta’ala) said about the last of the Messengers (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in Surat as-Saff (61:9):

هو الذي أرسل رسوله بالهدى ودين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله ولو كره المشركون

“It is He Who sent His Messenger [Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religions, although those who associate others with Allaah dislike it.”

And He says in Surat Ash-Shura (42:52):

وإنك لتهدي إلى صراط مستقيم

“And indeed, [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)], you guide to a Straight Path.”

The Muslim can never be guided except by following this noble Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), as Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat an-Nur (24:54):

وإن تطيعوه تهتدوا وما على الرسول إلا البلاغ المبين

“If you obey him you will be (rightly) guided. And there is not upon the Messenger except the [responsibility for] clear notification.”

Following his guidance is one of two conditions required for acceptance of the righteous deed which are: sincerity and doing the action in accordance with the way of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

As for the revealed Books, Allaah (Ta’ala) sent them down as a Guidance for people and as a Light, a Criterion which distinguishes between the truth and falsehood, the good and evil.

Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat al-Ma’idah (5:44):

إنا أنزلنا التوراة فيها هدى ونور

“Verily, We did send down the Torah (to Moses), therein was a guidance and light.”

And He (Ta’ala) says about ‘Eesa (Jesus) in Surat al-Ma’idah (5:46):

وآتيناه الانجيل فيه هدى ونور

“And We gave him the Gospel in which was guidance and light.”

And He (Ta’ala) addressed the Messenger Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in Surat Aal-Imran (3:3-4) saying:

نزّل عليك الكتاب بالحق مصدقا لما بين يديه وأنزل التوراة والانجيل من قبل هدى للناس وأنزل الفرقان

“He has sent down upon you [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)], the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel before, as guidance for the people and He revealed the Criterion (i.e. the Qur’an).”

He (Ta’ala) also says in Surat al-Isra’ (17:9):

إن هذا القرآن يهدي للتي هي أقوم ويبشر المؤمنين الذين يعملون الصالحات أن لهم أجرا كبيرا

“Verily, this Qur’an guides to that which is most just and right and gives glad tidings to the believers who work deeds of righteousness that they shall have a great reward.”

These Books are the guiding, auditory (hearing) evidences and signs which Allaah (Ta’ala) sent to guide His creation to the Straight Path, which leads to the Gardens of Pleasure (in Paradise). As for the universal signs and evidences, they are all of what Allaah (Ta’ala) has created in the heavens and the earth of manifest signs and proofs that testify to the Oneness of its Creator; and His Ruboobiyyah (Lordship), leading the one who reflects on them to Iman (faith) and guiding him to Islam (submission) to the Lord of the ‘Alameen (all mankind and jinn).

Allaah says in Surat al-Jaathiyah (45:3-6):

إن في السماوات والأرض لآيات للمؤمنين وفي خلقكم وما يبث من دابة آيات لقوم يوقنون. واختلاف الليل والنهار وما أنزل الله من رزق فأحيا به الأرض بعد موتها وتصريف الرياح آيات لقوم يعقلون. تلك آيات الله نتلوها عليك بالحق فبأي حديث بعد الله وآياته يؤمنون

“Indeed, within the heavens and earth are signs for the believers. And in the creation of yourselves and what he disperses of moving creatures are signs for people who are certain (in faith). And (in) the alternation of night and day and in what Allaah sends down from the sky of provision (i.e. rain) and gives life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and (in His) directing of the winds are signs for people who reason. These are the verses of Allaah which We recite to you in truth. Then in what statement after Allaah and His verses will they believe?”

[2] Allaah (Ta’ala) guides whomever He wills and misguides whom He wills. He (Ta’ala) mentioned this fact about His Noble Self in many verses in His Book. He says in Surat al-A’raaf (7:178):

من يهد الله فهو المهتدي ومن يضلل فأولئك هم الخاسرون

“Whomsoever Allaah guides he is the guided one, and whomsoever He sends astray, those are the losers.”

In Surat al-Kahf (18:17), He (Ta’ala) says:

من يهد فهو المهتد ومن يضلل فلن تجد له وليا مرشدا

“Whomsoever Allaah guides is the (rightly) guided, but he whom He leaves astray – never will you find for him a protecting guide.”

In Surat al-An’aam (6:39), He (Ta’ala) says:

من يشأ الله يضلله ومن يشأ يجعله على صراط مستقيم

“Whomever Allaah wills – He leaves astray; and whomever He wills – He puts him on a Straight Path.”

At-Tahaawi (Rahimahullaah) said: “He guides whomever He wills and protects and gives well-being as a favor from Him. He (Ta’ala) sends astray whomever He wills, and disgraces (humiliates) and afflicts as justice from Him. And all of them (of creation) are turning according to His Will between His Graciousness (favor) and justice.”

Whoever Allaah guides to Iman (faith), then this is by His Grace and all praises are due to Him, as He (Ta’ala) says about the People of Paradise in Surat al-A’raaf (7:43):

وقالوا الحمدلله الذي هدانا لهذا وما كنا لنهتدي لولا أن هدانا الله

“And they will say: ‘Praise be to Allaah, Who has guided us to this; and we would never have been guided if Allaah had not guided us.’”

And in Surat as-Saaffaat (37:57), Allaah (Ta’ala) says about the statement of one of the People of Paradise:

ولولا نعمة ربي لكنت من المحضرين

“If not for the favor of my Lord, I would have been of those brought in (to Hell).”

And whoever Allaah misguided, that was by His justice. He (Ta’ala) says in Surat Fussilat (41:46):

من عمل صالحا فلنفسه ومن أساء فعليها وما ربك بظلام للعبيد

“Whoever does righteousness – it is for his (own) self (for the benefit of his own self); and whoever does evil (does so) against it. And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) slaves.”

Allaah also says in Surat al-Zukhruf (43:76):

وما ظلمناهم ولكن كانوا هم الظالمين

“We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.”

In Surat at Tawbah (9:127), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:

ثم انصرفوا صرف الله قلوبهم

“So when they turned away (from the path of Allaah), Allaah turned their hearts away.”

In Surat as-Saff (61:5), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:

فلما زاغوا أزاغ الله قلوبهم

“And when they deviated, Allaah caused their hearts to deviate.”

In Surat az-Zumar (39:3), Allaah says:

إن الله لا يهدي من هو كاذب كفار

“Indeed, Allaah does not guide he who is a liar and (confirmed) disbeliever.”

In Surat Ghaafir (40:28) Allaah says:

إنّ الله لا يهدي من هو مسرف كذّاب

“Indeed, Allaah does not guide one who is a transgressor and a liar.”

And in many verses Allaah says that He does not guide the disbelievers, the wrong-doing people and the rebellious (disobedient to Him).

[3] Guidance is the greatest blessing that Al-Haadee bestows upon His servants. Every blessing less than it is perishable; and in accordance to His Guidance, one’s happiness and joy will be in this worldly life, and his good life and peace of mind, as well as one’s success and rank in the Hereafter.

The Prophets and Messengers (may Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon them) who were the most perfect and complete in faith and guidance amongst the people, were asking Allaah to guide them.

Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) used to say, as Allaah mentions in Surat al-Qasas (28:22):

عسى ربي أن يهديني سواء السبيل

“It may be that my Lord guides me to the Right Way.”

Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) said in Surat Yusuf (12:101):

توفّني مسلما وألحقني بالصالحين

“Cause me to die as a Muslim and join me with the righteous.”

Sulaymaan (‘Alayhis-salaam) said in Surat an-Naml (27:19):

رب أوزعني أن أشكر نعمتك التي أنعمت عليّ وعلى والديّ وأن أعمل صالحا ترضاه وأدخلني برحمتك في عبادك الصالحين

“My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your Mercy into (the ranks of) Your righteous servants.”

The seal of the Prophets (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked his Lord for guidance in his supplications and in his prayer.

‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated that he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to say the following supplication in prayer at night:

اللهُمَّ ربَّ جبْرائيل وميكائيل وإسْرافيل، فاطِرَ السَّماواتِ والأرضِ عالمَ الغيْبِ والشَّهادة، أنت تَحْكُمُ بيْن عبادكَ فيما كانوا فيه يختلفون، إهْدِني لِما اخْتُلِفَ فيه من الحقِّ بإذْنِك، إنَّكَ تَهدي من تشاء إلى صِراطٍ مستَقيم

“O Allaah! Lord of Jibraa’eel, Meeka’eel and Israafeel, Creator of the heavens and the earth; Knower of all that is hidden and open! It is You that will judge between Your servants in those matters about which they used to differ. Guide me by Your Grace to the Truth concerning that about which they differed, for indeed You guide whomsoever You wish to a path that is straight.” [Muslim]

‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’oud (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate in these words:

اللهُمَّ إنِّي أسْألُك الهُدى والتُّقى والعَفاف والغِنى

“O Allaah, I beg You the right guidance, safeguard against evil, chastity and freedom from want (self-richness).” [Muslim]

‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to him: “Say:

اللهُمَّ اهْدِني وسَدِّدْني

‘O Allaah, direct me to the right path and make me adhere to the straight path.’

and when you make a mention of right guidance, keep in mind the right path and when you consider the straight (path), keep in mind the straightness of the arrow.” [Muslim]

Note: As-Sadaad, in this Hadeeth means correctness and uprightness. Here it signifies “O Allaah, grant me the ability to do everything in the correct manner,” that is in accordance with the practice of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

This nation (of Islam) is commanded to ask Allaah (Ta’ala) for the guidance in every Rak’ah of the Salaat (prayer), and that is in Surat al-Fatihah (the opening chapter of the Qur’an).

اهدنا الصراط المستقيم، صراط الذين أنعمت عليهم غير المغضوب عليهم ولا الضالين.

“Guide us to the Straight Path. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked (Your) anger or of those who are astray.” ^(1&2)

Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also taught al-Hasan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) to say in the Qanoot of Witr prayer:

اللهُمَّ اهدِني فيمن هَدَيْت وعافِني فيمن عافيت

“O Allaah, guide me among those You have guided, grant me well-being among those You have granted well-being…” [Reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawoud, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasaa’i and Ibn Maajah, and authenticated by al-Albaani in Sifat Salaat an-Nabiy]

[4] Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala), Al-Haadee has guided all the living creatures to get what benefits them and repel what harms them, as Allaah says in Surat Ta-Ha (20:50):

قال ربنا الذي أعطى كل شيئ خلقه ثم هدى

“He said: ‘Our Lord is He Who gave each thing its form and then guided (it).’”

In Surat al-A’laa (87:3), Allaah says:

والذي قدَّر فهدى

“And Who destined and (then) guided.”

Allaah has guided every creature to the way of carrying out and fulfillment of its needs. He has guided the new born baby to suck the milk from the breast of his mother, and He has guided the chick to pick the seeds after coming out from the egg, and He has guided the bees to construct the hive in a hexagonal shape, because this is the most suitable shape to its body and farthest from having any gaps, and so forth. The explanation of all that may be prolonged.” [Al Maqsad al-Asna]

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¹ Ibn al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said: “Asking Allaah for the guidance to the straight path is the noblest goal, and attaining it is the most honored blessing. Therefore, Allaah taught His slaves how to ask for it. He commanded them to precede their request with His praise and magnification; then he reminded them of their servitude and Tawheed to Him. These are two means by which hardly any invocation would be rejected. This is supported by the two Hadeeths which mention the greatest Name of Allaah which are reported by Ibn Hibban in his Saheeh and Imam Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi.

² The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) heard a man invoking Allaah saying: “O Allaah, I beg You that I testify that You are Allaah the One, the Only One, the Absolute (As-Samad) Who begets not and nor is He begotten and there is no one like Him.” The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “He asked Allaah by His Greatest Name with which if He is called, He will respond and if He is asked by it, He will grant.” [Saheeh at-Tirmidhi]

So this Tawassul is beseeching (pleading to) Allaah with Tawheed, thereby giving testimony as to the Oneness of Allaah, affirming His Attributes as implied in the Name As-Samad, negating the resemblance and likeness in his statement: “Who begets not and nor is He begotten.”

This is the ‘Aqeedah of Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah.

In another Hadeeth: “The Messenger of Allaah heard a man supplicate and say: ‘O Allaah, I beg of You, that all praises are to You, no one deserves to be worshiped except You, the Bestower, the Originator of the Heavens and earth, O the One Full of Majesty and Honor, O Living One, O Eternal One.” The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘He asked Allaah by His Greatest Name.” [Saheeh at-Tirmidhi] So this is appealing to and pleading with Allaah by His Names and Attributes.

Surat al-Fatihah joined the two means of beseeching, pleading the Tawassul (appeal) by extolling (praising) Him, and Tawassul (pleading) Him with servitude to Him and His Tawheed. Then one can ask the most important request which is the utmost that one hopes, which is guidance after the two means. Therefore, the one who invokes with it, truly will be granted.” [End quote – Madaarij as-Salikeen]