“Guide us on the straight path.” [Al-Fatiha: 1:6]
Clarity is a priority in any endeavour
Clarity is a fundamental feature on this path, as the lack of it leads to confusion and stagnation. Every day we ask Allah at least seventeen times in our Salah to “guide us on the straight path” [Al-Fatiha: 1:6]. The straight path is the clear path which leads us back to Allah and His Pleasure amongst a multitude of paths.
What is the right path?
From personal experiences, many of us can relate to how daunting and confusing of a task it is in knowing which path to follow. There are so many paths with countless groups and individuals calling to them. We do not have all the knowledge and time to scrutinise and trial each one to figure out which is the right one. Even if we could, there is no guarantee that we would actually find the right path.
So how can we decide what is the safest and surest path? How can we decide who is really inviting us to the truth?
Allah has not left us to figure it out for ourselves. He has sent countless Prophets and Messengers (ﷺ) to inform mankind about the path that leads to Allah. As for this nation, the best expression of the path for us is in the example of the blessed Prophet (ﷺ), and we have to take it from the source. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) drew a line for us and then said:
“This is the path shown by Allah. Then he drew several other lines on his right and left sides and said: These are the paths on every side of which there is a Satan calling towards it. He then recited this verse: ‘Verily this path of Mine is straight so adhere to it. Follow not other ways lest they lead you away from His path’[Al-An’am: 6:153]”[Tirmidhi].
From this verse we can see that there isn’t just one way but many ways, but only one leads us back to Allah. The other paths on either side of the line are paths that supposedly invite people to Allah but in reality deviate from the established practices of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). There are Shayateen (from amongst both men and Jinn) inviting people to these paths with practices contrary to the Sunnah which lead people astray.
Straight Path is clear
“I have left you on a (wide, spacious) clear path, its night is like its day whoever deviates from this after me will be destroyed….” [Ibn Majah].
So the straight path is the path which Allah has summoned us to, it is clear, firmly established and well-trodden. Doubts may arise within us when we do not know which of the many paths is the right path. Doubts are one of the avenues which Shai’tan enters – and thereby it is against the notion of the straight path (for it renders the path to be no longer clear). We have to avoid doubts, as they cloud our vision, direction and leads to confusion. We need to turn our face to Allah, and as He instructed ask for His support and guidance to the straight path with sincerity. Allah has promised for those who strive on this path:
“As for those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our ways; for verily Allah is with the righteous” [Al-Ankabut: 29:69].
If Allah is with us, it means we will be under His Divine Guidance and Protection. We need to strive and take the means (i.e. through seeking knowledge and asking the people of knowledge) to attain clarity and certainty, and become decisive and resolute in walking upon the Straight Path. May Allah keep us steadfast on the Straight Path.
