Muhkamat and Mutasyabihat

Part 3: Fisq Is the Cause of Misguidance Not the Qur’an

Earlier we established with evidence that the Qur’an is hudā that leads to the straightest path and that the Qur’an is not a source of misguidance. In Part 2 we saw the light and guidance stated in Al Ma’idah 5:15 to 16. We recalled “lā rayba fīhi” in Al Baqarah 2:1 to 2. We looked at the promise that the Qur’an guides to what is most upright in Al Isra 17:9. We rejected the notion that falsehood can slip into revelation through Fussilat 41 to 42.

All of this evidence builds a foundation of certainty that anyone who comes to the Book with an honest heart will be led to the truth. With that foundation Part 3 focuses on what Allah affirms about His Book being true and just so it is clear that guidance does not mix with misguidance and does not need a special keeper outside of proper adab and method. This principle is stated by Allah in Al An‘am 6:115.

وَتَمَّتۡ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدۡقًا وَعَدۡلًا ۚ لَّا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَٰتِهِۦ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ

Sahih International: “And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can alter His words and He is the Hearing the Knowing.”

(QS. Al-An‘am 6:115)

You have seen it in the verse above. Truth (ṣidq) and justice (‘adl) are enduring qualities of the Qur’an. They are not qualities that change with time or circumstance. If the Book is marked by ṣidq and ‘adl then it cannot misguide because misguidance is born of falsehood while falsehood falls before truth and justice.

Look closely at Al An‘am 6:115. Allah does not say that His words are a mixture of guidance and misguidance. There is no inner contradiction that requires a secret filter or special access. This negates the claim that the Qur’an needs a “special keeper” or a particular “interpreter” just to ensure its meaning reaches people. What is required is proper adab with revelation sound method sincerity of heart and readiness to accept and follow the proof from Allah.

Keep this firmly in your heart. Allah affirms that His words have been perfected. There is no room to alter twist or add. This perfection covers the truth of its meanings and the justice of its rulings. If Allah has perfected something then humans have no power to add or subtract. Our task is to receive understand and practice.

The meaning is clear. Whoever goes astray does not do so because the Qur’an is erroneous or confusing. The root lies in a heart that turns away from the ṣidq and ‘adl contained in the Book. One who rejects the signs of Allah will see darkness even when light shines. One who prefers whims will read without guidance even if the verses are recited again and again.

In other words if someone approaches the Qur’an with honest intention and just judgment he will be led to guidance by Allah’s permission. If he comes with a heart that is fāsiq unjust and self-serving then the one who goes astray is himself not the Qur’an. Guidance is available for those who want to be guided. Darkness and misguidance remain for those who choose to turn away.

Indeed the cause of a person going astray while reading the Qur’an is the reader himself. Consider the verse below especially the end of Al Baqarah 2:26. Allah explains that the parables of revelation test human hearts. Some go astray and some are guided. This is not due to any deficiency in the Book. It is due to the inner state of the reader whether he submits to the truth or chooses defiance.

...مَاذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَٰذَا مَثَلًا ۘ يُضِلُّ بِهِۦ كَثِيرًا وَيَهۡدِي بِهِۦ كَثِيرًا ۚ وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِۦٓ إِلَّا ٱلۡفَٰسِقِينَ

Sahih International: “What does Allah intend by this as an example. He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient.”

(QS. Al-Baqarah 2:26)

Is that not correct. Those who become misguided are the fāsiq. Fisq means departing from obedience and overstepping the limits set by Allah. It may appear as refusal to submit to evidence. It may arise as arrogance toward the truth. It may take the form of forcing the meaning of verses to suit desire. When the heart is in such a state the parable that should lead becomes an excuse to keep rejecting.

This verse affirms that the Qur’an does not misguide automatically. Those who go astray are the ones already fāsiq who reject the verses of Allah while Allah Himself states that the Book is guidance. That includes those who keep spreading the notion that reading the Qur’an without a teacher must lead to misguidance while Allah repeatedly affirms its guiding nature.

So be alert at once. After grasping the principle in Al Baqarah 2:26 read the following verse that describes how hearts are turned after the initial refusal to believe. If possible read the previous verse as well so the continuity of meaning is clear.

وَنُقَلِّبُ أَفۡئِدَتَهُمۡ وَأَبۡصَٰرَهُمۡ كَمَا لَمۡ يُؤۡمِنُواْ بِهِۦٓ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَنَذَرُهُمۡ فِي طُغۡيَٰنِهِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ

Sahih International: “And We will turn away their hearts and their eyes just as they refused to believe in it the first time and We will leave them in their transgression wandering blindly.”

(QS. Al-An‘am 6:110)

We claim to believe in Allah and the Qur’an yet we must fear for ourselves because hearts are turned only after we refuse to believe even if our tongues claim faith. The Qur’an never misguides. What misguides is the stance that rejects proof or delays obedience or forces meaning to fit desire. Come to the Book with a humble heart. Seek guidance with proper adab and method. Ask for protection so the heart is not turned after guidance has come.

I am only conveying the message. The choice remains with each of us as Allah says in Surah al-Kahf 18:29.

وَقُلِ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمۡ ۖ فَمَن شَآءَ فَلۡيُؤۡمِن وَمَن شَآءَ فَلۡيَكۡفُرۡ ۚ ...

Sahih International: “And say The truth is from your Lord so whoever wills let him believe and whoever wills let him disbelieve...”

(QS. Al-Kahf 18:29)

The choice is ours as human beings. If we choose faith then Allah’s guidance will lead us to the straight path. If we choose disbelief then misguidance arises from our own will not because of Allah not because of the Qur’an. This is the dividing line between those who sincerely seek the truth and those who turn away despite knowing. May Allah keep our hearts firm upon the truth and give us life with the Qur’an.

To be continued

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