Source: Fatawa of the Scholars of Hadith, Volume 09
The Qur’an states:
وَاللّٰہُ یَھْدِیْ مَنْ یَّشَآءُ – یُضِلُّ بِه مَنْ یَّشَآءُ
This suggests that guidance and misguidance are under Allah’s control. So, why is man held accountable?
The exact phrase ﴿ وَاللّٰہُ یَھْدِیْ مَنْ یَّشَآءُ – یُضِلُّ بِه مَنْ یَّشَآءُ ﴾ does not appear in the Qur’an in these words. It is kindly requested that you specify the Surah and verse number so an accurate reference can be presented.
Now, let us address the core of the question. While the Qur’an attributes guidance and misguidance to Allah’s will, why then is man considered blameworthy? The Qur’an provides multiple verses that clarify this issue.
In one place, Allah says:
إِنَّ اللَّـهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ
(Surah al-Dhāriyāt: 58)
“Indeed, Allah is the [sole] Provider, the Possessor of strength and firmness.”
If sustenance is solely in Allah’s control, then why do people work hard for their livelihood, set up businesses, factories, and other means? The answer is that Allah’s system operates through means, and man must also strive to become part of those means.
Similarly, in the matter of guidance and misguidance, the same principle applies. Allah says:
وَمَا تَشَاءُونَ إِلَّا أَن يَشَاءَ اللَّـهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ
(Surah al-Takwīr: 29)
“And you do not will unless Allah, the Lord of the worlds, wills.”
This verse explains that while Allah’s will prevails over all, man has been given free will and choice. He chooses either guidance or misguidance, but the outcome is subject to Allah’s will.
Allah explains in the Qur’an that He guides or lets go astray according to His will, but human intention, effort, and repentance are pivotal:
اللَّـهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يُنِيبُ
(Surah al-Shūrā: 13)
“Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns to Him [in repentance].”
This verse indicates that those who turn to Allah sincerely are the ones who are granted guidance.
Misguidance is a consequence of human disobedience and transgression:
وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِ إِلَّا الْفَاسِقِينَ
(Surah al-Baqarah: 26)
“And He does not misguide except the defiantly disobedient.”
Therefore, deliberate sinfulness and rebellion lead to misguidance. Allah’s system works on the basis of cause and effect, where a person's deeds determine the divine outcome.
Man chooses the path of guidance or misguidance through his free will and intentions. Allah’s will then confirms this choice according to His divine wisdom. Hence, human responsibility and accountability remain central in matters of belief and conduct. That is why man is held blameworthy for his actions.
❖ Question
The Qur’an states:
وَاللّٰہُ یَھْدِیْ مَنْ یَّشَآءُ – یُضِلُّ بِه مَنْ یَّشَآءُ
This suggests that guidance and misguidance are under Allah’s control. So, why is man held accountable?
❖ Clarification of the Referenced Verse
The exact phrase ﴿ وَاللّٰہُ یَھْدِیْ مَنْ یَّشَآءُ – یُضِلُّ بِه مَنْ یَّشَآءُ ﴾ does not appear in the Qur’an in these words. It is kindly requested that you specify the Surah and verse number so an accurate reference can be presented.
Now, let us address the core of the question. While the Qur’an attributes guidance and misguidance to Allah’s will, why then is man considered blameworthy? The Qur’an provides multiple verses that clarify this issue.
❖ Example of Sustenance and Human Effort
In one place, Allah says:
إِنَّ اللَّـهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ
(Surah al-Dhāriyāt: 58)
“Indeed, Allah is the [sole] Provider, the Possessor of strength and firmness.”
If sustenance is solely in Allah’s control, then why do people work hard for their livelihood, set up businesses, factories, and other means? The answer is that Allah’s system operates through means, and man must also strive to become part of those means.
❖ Human Will and Divine Decree in Guidance
Similarly, in the matter of guidance and misguidance, the same principle applies. Allah says:
وَمَا تَشَاءُونَ إِلَّا أَن يَشَاءَ اللَّـهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ
(Surah al-Takwīr: 29)
“And you do not will unless Allah, the Lord of the worlds, wills.”
This verse explains that while Allah’s will prevails over all, man has been given free will and choice. He chooses either guidance or misguidance, but the outcome is subject to Allah’s will.
❖ Divine Will and Human Responsibility
Allah explains in the Qur’an that He guides or lets go astray according to His will, but human intention, effort, and repentance are pivotal:
اللَّـهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يُنِيبُ
(Surah al-Shūrā: 13)
“Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns to Him [in repentance].”
This verse indicates that those who turn to Allah sincerely are the ones who are granted guidance.
❖ Misguidance Due to Human Transgression
Misguidance is a consequence of human disobedience and transgression:
وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِ إِلَّا الْفَاسِقِينَ
(Surah al-Baqarah: 26)
“And He does not misguide except the defiantly disobedient.”
Therefore, deliberate sinfulness and rebellion lead to misguidance. Allah’s system works on the basis of cause and effect, where a person's deeds determine the divine outcome.
Conclusion
Man chooses the path of guidance or misguidance through his free will and intentions. Allah’s will then confirms this choice according to His divine wisdom. Hence, human responsibility and accountability remain central in matters of belief and conduct. That is why man is held blameworthy for his actions.
