The Guide - Al-Hādī

Al-Hādī, The Way

In a hadith qudsi (words of God narrated by the Prophet (pbuh)), God tells us: “O My servants, all of you are astray except for those I have guided, so seek guidance of Me and I shall guide you,” (Muslim) God is the source of guidance, and in naming Himself 'Al-Hadi', He invites us to guidance thorugh Him. This Name is a answer as well as a guarante to the seeker and the one who feels lost. So what it means for us is to have the certainty that God Almighty will not turn away anyone who seeks Him, and it also means to ask Him for His guidance and talk to Him. Moreover, Hidāya comes from inclining towards something, which is why one of the words in Arabic for gift is hadiyya, because it makes the hearts of those whom you gift incline towards you. Thus guidance to God Almighty is a gift from Him that makes our hearts incline towards Him, and it encompasses all types of guidance. The difference between rushd and hidāya is that hidāya is also guidance along the path. Moreover, there are levels to hidāya, which is why we constantly ask God Almighty for guidance in Surat Al-Fatiha: “Guide us (ihdinā) to the straight path.” (Qur’an, 1:6)