Peace be upon you!
In today’s talk I wanted to look at the straight path within the context of the Qur’an. We find in the first chapter of the Qur’an a reference to the straight path which highlights the significance of this concept.
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
Praise belongs to God, the Lord of All Creation,
The Almighty, the Merciful,
Master of the Day of Judgment.
Thee alone do we serve, and from Thee alone do we seek help.
Guide Thou us on the straight path,
The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; not of those who incur wrath, nor of those who go astray.
The Qur’an: A Complete Revelation (1:1-7)
What is the straight path?
Given the significance of this concept, it stands to reason that since the Qur’an is a complete guidance from God, this straight path would be defined within the Qur’an. As we shall see, the Qur’an confirms this reasoning. A pan-textual analysis of this phrase “straight path” yields many verses that define what this straight path is. We shall be going through all of them so there is no doubt in anyone’s mind as to what this straight path entails.
“God is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him. This is a straight path.”
(3:51)
And how can you deny, when to you are the proofs of God recited, and in your midst is His messenger? And whoso holds fast to God, he has been guided to a straight path.
(3:101)
And whom God wills to guide, He expands his breast towards submission; and whom He wills to lead astray, He makes his breast constricted, distressed, as if he were ascending into the sky; thus does God appoint abomination for those who do not believe.
And this is the path of thy Lord, one straight; We have set out and detailed the proofs for people who take heed;
(6:125-126)
Say thou: “Come, I will recite what your Lord has made unlawful for you: that you ascribe a partnership with Him to anything (while towards parents good conduct); and kill not your children out of poverty,” — We will provide for you and for them — “and approach not sexual immoralities, whether open or concealed; and kill not the soul which God has made unlawful save with justice; — that He enjoined upon you, that you might use reason.
“And approach not the property of the fatherless save with what is better before he reaches his maturity; and fulfil the measure and the balance with equity,” — We burden not any soul save to its capacity — “and when you speak, be just (though he be a relative); and the covenant of God fulfil; — that He commanded you, that you might take heed.”
And this is My straight path, so follow it; and follow not other ways, for they will separate you from His path; — “that He commanded you, that you might be in prudent fear.”
(6:151-153)
Say thou: “As for me, my Lord has guided me to a straight path, a right doctrine, the creed of Abraham, inclining to truth; and he was not of the idolaters.”
Say thou: “My duty and my penance and my living and my dying are for God, the Lord of All Creation.
“He has no partner, and that have I been commanded; and I am the first of those submitting.”
Say thou: “Is it other than God I should desire as Lord when He is Lord of all things?” And every soul earns not save for itself, and no bearer bears the burden of another; then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you of that wherein you differed.
(6:161-164)
If thou askest of them payment: then is the reward of thy Lord better; and He is the best of providers.
And thou invitest them to a straight path;
And those who believe not in the Hereafter are deviating from the path.
(23:72-74)
Hold thou fast that which is revealed to thee; thou art on a straight path.
And it is a remembrance for thee and for thy people; and you will be questioned.
(43:43-44)
Satan promises to divert man from the straight path
And We created you; then We formed you; then said We to the angels: “Submit to Adam,” and they submitted. Not so Iblīs; he was not of those who submit.
He said: “What prevented thee from submitting when I commanded thee?” Said he: “I am better than he; Thou createdst me of fire, and Thou createdst him of clay.”
He said: “Get thee down therefrom; it is not for thee to wax proud therein, so go thou forth; thou art of those brought low.”
Said he: “Grant Thou me respite until the day they are raised up.”
He said: “Thou art of those granted respite.”
Said he: “Because Thou hast caused me to err, I will lie in wait for them on Thy straight path,
“Then will I come to them from before them, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left; and Thou wilt not find most of them grateful.”
He said: “Go thou forth therefrom, condemned and banished. Whoso follows thee from among them — I will fill Gehenna with you all together.”
(7:11-18)
Said he: “My Lord: grant Thou me respite until the day they are raised.”
He said: “Thou art of those granted respite
“Until the day of the known time.”
Said he: “My Lord: because Thou hast caused me to err, I will make it fair to them in the earth; and I will cause them to err all together,
“Save Thy sincere servants among them.”
He said: “This is a straight path to Me:
“My servants — thou hast no authority over them save those who follow thee among those who err,
“And Gehenna is their promised place all together.
“It has seven gates; and for each gate is a portion assigned.”
(15:36-44)
“But separate yourselves this day, O you lawbreakers!
“Did I not commission you, O children of Adam, that you serve not the satan,” — he is an open enemy to you —
“But that you serve Me? This is a straight path.
“And he led astray among you a great multitude. Did you then not use reason?
“This is Gehenna: — which you were promised —
“Burn therein this day, for what you denied!”
(36:59-64)
Hence, we see that those servants of God who are sincere and use reason are the only one’s who will be able to escape Satan’s deceptions. The concept of what the straight path is and what it entails is vital to our salvation and the Qur’an gives us the guidance towards the straight path; what is needed is that we hold fast only to the Qur’an and follow it.
And it is knowledge pertaining to the Hour; doubt not concerning it, and follow Me. This is a straight path.
And let not the satan divert you; he is to you an open enemy.
And when Jesus came with the clear signs, he said: “I have come to you with wisdom, and to make plain some of that concerning that wherein you differ; so be in prudent fear of God, and obey me.
“God, He is my Lord and your Lord; so serve Him. This is a straight path.”
(43:61-64)