How to respond to those who say; Allah guides whom He wills and that's why I am not a believer?
In responding to those who claim that "Allah guides whom He wills" as a justification for their disbelief, it is important to convey that this assertion does not absolve individuals of their responsibility to seek the truth and act upon it.
The Qur'an states, It is not for any soul to believe save by the permission of Allah
10:100. This verse indicates that belief is ultimately a divine gift, but it also emphasizes the importance of striving for understanding and truth.
Moreover, in a discussion recorded in Al-Kafi, Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) addresses a similar point by noting that the truth should be confirmed by those who believed in it beforehand. He mentions: Say: it is confirmed by those who believed in it beforehand. Allah, the Exalted, says: 'Then is he who guides to the truth more worthy to be followed or he who is not guided except that he is guided?' How do you judge?
Al-Kafi 1:252. This highlights the necessity of seeking guidance and evaluating the truth rather than passively accepting a state of disbelief.
Additionally, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that guidance is not solely in the hands of any individual. He stated, Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide him, and whoever Allah causes to stray, no one can guide him
Sunan an-Nasa'i 26:83. This assertion underscores the divine nature of guidance while simultaneously calling for personal effort in seeking it.
In summary, while Allah's guidance is a crucial aspect of faith, individuals must actively engage in seeking the truth and understanding their spiritual responsibilities.
Sources
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10:100 · Yunus
10:100 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَن تُؤْمِنَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَيَجْعَلُ ٱلرِّجْسَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ
It is not for any soul to believe save by the permission of Allah. He hath set uncleanness upon those who have no sense.
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Al-Kafi 1:252
Al-Kafi · Book 1, Hadith 252
Patience is of two kinds: a good and beautiful patience when calamity strikes, and a better patience than that is to be patient when Allah Almighty has prohibited something for you. Likewise, remembrance has two kinds: the remembrance of Allah Almighty during calamity, and the best of that is the remembrance of Allah when He has prohibited something for you, so that it acts as a barrier. — OR — He was asked, when I am junub and sweat in my garment, is it problematic? He said, "I see no harm in it." It was said, "But the sweat is so much that if one wished to squeeze it, he could do so." Abu Abdullah frowned and said to the man, "If you decline, then wet it with some water to rinse it." — OR — Protect your wealth with zakat. — OR — I asked Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him), ‘They rebuke and deny us saying that we claim there will be two cries. They ask, “How then will the true be distinguished from the false if both happen?”’ He said, ‘What do you reply to them?’ I said, ‘We do not reply with anything.’ He said, ‘Say: it is confirmed by those who believed in it beforehand. Allah, the Exalted, says: “Then is he who guides to the truth more worthy to be followed or he who is not guided except that he is guided?” How do you judge?’
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Sunan an-Nasa'i 26:83
Sunan an-Nasa'i · Book 26, Hadith 83 · Narrated by Ibn Abbas
A man spoke to the Prophet (peace be upon him) about something, and the Prophet responded: "All praise is due to Allah; we praise Him and seek His help. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide him, and whoever Allah causes to stray, no one can guide him. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah alone, without any partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. Now then,
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