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{Lo! the guidance is Allah's guidance.}

{Show us the straight path. The path of those whom Thou hast favored; not [the path] of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who astray.}

The Quran also clarifies that those who gain guidance and feel its sweetness are not the sleepy, the lazy or the advocates of the evil, but it is the pious and the devout who spend their all for the sake of Allah. Almighty Allah speaks of the Quran as being ‘hudan li-l-muttaqeen’ (a guidance unto those who ward off - evil.) Simply, because God helps only those who want to help themselves.

Again the Quran states that those who seek guidance will be elevated in guidance and given more of it. Thus, two facts are to be considered; hidayah is the divine gift which Almighty Allah gives to whomever He loves and people should be qualified with piety and Allah fearing in order to gain it.

Of course people differ in regards to their reception of guidance; some people are ready and fast in achieving guidance while others are too slow. In the hadith, the prophet (peace be upon him) categorizes people, in respect of receiving and accepting the guidance he brings, into three categories: those who benefit the guidance themselves and help others get it, those who just help others but are not able to practice it themselves, and those who are like barren land, they do not accept guidance nor do they help people find it.

Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the prophet (peace be upon him) said:

"The similitude of that guidance and knowledge with which Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, has sent me is that of rain falling upon the earth. There is a good piece of land which receives the rainfall readily and as a result of it there is grown in it herbage and grass abundantly. Then there is a land hard and barren that retains water and the people derive benefit from it and they drink and make the animals drink.

Then there is another land which is barren, neither water is retained, nor is the grass grown. And that is the similitude of the first one who develops the understanding of the religion of Allah and benefits from the knowledge with which Allah sent me. He acquires the knowledge of religion and imparts it to others. [Then the other type is] one who does not pay attention to [the revealed knowledge] and thus does not accept guidance of Allah with which I have been sent." (Reported in Sahih Muslim.)

The Ways to Gain Hidayah:

• 1- Having a deep and strong relation with Allah, resorting to Him for needs and fearing Him in secret, as well as in public.
  
• 2- Seeking knowledge and purifying one’s intention for Allah in every word and deed.
  
• 3- Strict obedience to Allah and following His commands and teachings.

{O ye who believe; Obey Allah, and the messenger when He calleth you to that which quickeneth you, and know that Allah cometh in between the man and his own heart, and that He it is unto Whom ye will be gathered.}

{And when your Lord proclaimed: If ye give thanks, I will give you more; but if ye are thankless, lo! My punishment is dire.}

It is clear that when a person shows thankfulness, Allah will grant him/her more. Also, showing obedience to Allah is the highest way to keep this blessing of hidayah.

The Arab poet says:

When Imam Ash-Shafi`e looked at the ankle of a woman, he was deprived from the nour (light) and found it difficult to memorize. When he complained to Wakee` (his teacher), he said to him that he should seek Allah's forgiveness for the action of disobedience he did so as to regain that light in the heart and the mind.

Imam Ash-Shafi`e wrote in this:

So, a Muslim should keep himself remote from disobedience as far as he can so as to gain hidayah, find his/her way and lead his/her life in peace and tranquility. May Allah purify our hearts and guide us to the best of deeds in this world and in the afterlife, amen!

Thank you again Uzair for your question and please, always keep in touch.

Salaam.

Useful Links:

Tired of Being Away From My God

Will Allah Accept My Repentance?

What Do You Say When You Stub Your Toe?

The Burden of a Muslim

Humility in Prayers