Question:

I have very excellent Muslim friends and there’s this one friend who wasn’t really religious but somehow became a good Muslim now and everyone says “Allah had chosen to guide you brother alhamdulillah”

Since I’m not guided does that mean Allah chose not to guide me and if so then there is no point really in trying?

Answer:

When people say your friend was ‘Guided by Allah’ they are talking about this: that person made the first step towards Allah (SWT) and made a choice to start following his religion. Once a person does this, Allah (SWT) helps them further and makes it easier for them to follow their religion. This is what is meant when we say Allah has guided someone.

If you were to do the same and take the first step towards God, you too would be guided and He would help you on your way to becoming a good religious Muslim.

When God says: “He guides whomever He wishes”, it means that God guides those who take the first step towards Him and submit to Him. It is not a random thing where God guides some and leaves others. Rather, God guides those who choose to be pious and make the first effort.

“So when they turned away (from the Path of Allah), Allah turned their hearts away (from the Right Path)” (61:5)
“They were young men who believed in their Cherisher (Allah), and (so) when increased them in guidance.” (18:13)

Answered by: Dr Ali Alsamail
Certified by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei