Introduction
The Qur’an includes several verses that state Allah guides whom He wills and lets go astray whom He wills. These statements, while present in various contexts, have often been interpreted by classical Islamic scholars to mean that Allah selectively grants or withholds guidance according to His divine wisdom and sovereign will.
This interpretation—shaped by the theological frameworks of many early Mufassireen (interpreters of the Qur’an)—has become a dominant view in traditional Islamic thought. However, it is important to recognize that this is an interpretive lens, not the only possible understanding of the Qur’anic message. The Qur’an itself also contains many verses that emphasize human intention, moral effort, and free choice in the process of being guided.
Therefore, it is both reasonable and necessary to reexamine the Qur’anic concept of guidance:
Does Allah guide whomever He chooses arbitrarily—or does He guide those who sincerely wish to be guided and strive for it?
This article explores both the traditional understanding of divine guidance and an alternative, textually grounded interpretation that places human responsibility at the center—an approach that upholds divine justice, human dignity, and the moral coherence of accountability on the Day of Judgment.
The Traditional Interpretation: Allah Guides Whom He Wills
Many classical Islamic scholars have understood verses such as:
“He lets go astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:93)
to mean that Allah chooses whom to guide and whom to leave astray based on His infinite wisdom. This view is further supported by verses like:
“Indeed, you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:56)
According to this interpretation, guidance is a divine gift, granted to some and withheld from others as part of Allah’s greater plan. Some scholars argue that since Allah possesses complete foreknowledge of all things, His decisions are not arbitrary but based on His knowledge of each individual’s future choices and intentions.
However, this interpretation has led many to raise a critical question: If Allah decides guidance without regard to an individual’s striving or desire, how can people justly be held accountable for their beliefs and actions? This perceived tension between divine will and human responsibility invites a deeper look into alternative understandings.
The Alternative Interpretation: Human Choice in Guidance
A closer, textually grounded reading of the Qur’an suggests that divine guidance is intimately linked with human free will and effort. Consider verses such as:
“This is a reminder. Let whoever wishes, take the way to his Lord.” (Surah Al-Insan 76:29)
“Say, ‘The truth is from your Lord. So whoever wills—let him believe; and whoever wills—let him disbelieve.'” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:29)
These verses clearly affirm that individual choice plays a key role in determining one’s spiritual path. Guidance is not an arbitrary gift but a response to sincere desire and effort.
Applied to the earlier-cited verse from Surah An-Nahl (16:93), the phrase
“يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ “ could be interpreted as expressing a cause-and-effect relationship:
“He lets go astray whoever wants to be misguided, and He guides whoever wants to be guided.”
This reframing emphasizes human responsibility over divine imposition. Individuals make choices, and Allah honors and facilitates those choices.
Reconciling Free Will with Divine Knowledge
One might ask: If Allah already knows who will be guided, doesn’t that make guidance predetermined?
Not necessarily. Consider a teacher who, based on experience and observation, can predict which students will succeed. That foreknowledge doesn’t control the students’ behavior—they still make the choices that determine their outcomes. In the same way, Allah’s foreknowledge does not negate free will; it simply means He already knows the results of each person’s sincere (or insincere) striving.
The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes human responsibility, such as:
“As for those who strive in Our cause—We will surely guide them to Our paths.” (Surah Al-‘Ankabut 29:69)
This shows that Allah’s guidance is a response to human effort and moral striving—not a pre-imposed outcome. Allah does not unjustly impose misguidance on anyone; rather, He allows people to follow the inclinations they themselves choose.
Effort as the Pathway to Guidance
The Qur’an consistently highlights the need to strive and seek in order to receive divine guidance. If guidance were predetermined with no role for human volition, there would be no point in Allah calling people to repentance, belief, and righteousness.
In truth, the Qur’an invites people to search, reflect, and strive. Guidance is the reward for those who want to be guided and make the effort to walk the path:
“Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:11)
This clearly affirms that the transformation begins from within. The divine response comes in support of human will—not in contradiction to it.
Conclusion
While the traditional view emphasizes Allah’s absolute will in granting or withholding guidance, it risks overshadowing the Qur’an’s equally strong emphasis on human freedom and moral accountability.
A more holistic and balanced understanding—firmly rooted in Qur’anic language—suggests that Allah guides those who want to be guided, and leaves to stray those who turn away. This perspective preserves both divine justice and human responsibility, ensuring that the Day of Judgment is meaningful and fair.
By recognizing our freedom to choose and our duty to strive, we reaffirm a Qur’anic vision of guidance that is as compassionate as it is just.
Allah knows best.