Muhkamat and Mutasyabihat

Part 2: Rejecting the Narrative “Reading Without a Teacher Leads to Misguidance”

Are we aware that Prophet Muhammad SAW is Nūr (light) and the Qur’an is Hudā (guidance)? The Qur’an revealed to Prophet Muhammad SAW is the Word of Allah that guides not misguides.

Here is the evidence:

Al-Mā’idah 5:15 (excerpt)

قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ
Sahih International: “There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book.”

Al-Mā’idah 5:16 (excerpt)

يَهْدِي بِهِ اللَّهُ مَنِ اتَّبَعَ رِضْوَانَهُ سُبُلَ السَّلَامِ
Sahih International: “By which Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light by His permission and guides them to a straight path.”

(Al-Mā’idah 5:15–16)

Therefore we must believe that the Qur’an has been affirmed as hudā (guidance) not a source of misguidance. Allah guarantees “lā rayba fīhi” that there is no doubt and no opening for misguidance.

I am certain you are familiar with this verse. It is not conceivable for you as those who believe and are conscious of Allah to reject it by claiming that the Qur’an is a source of misguidance when Allah has guaranteed it as Hudā or guidance.

Allah Subḥānahu wa Ta‘ālā says:

الٓمٓ
"Alif, Laam, Miim."

ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبُ لَا رَيۡبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ
“This is the Book about which there is no doubt a guidance for those conscious of Allah.”

Sahih International (Al-Baqarah 2:1–2)

I am also confident that you hold to the counsel of Prophet Muhammad SAW to practice Surah al-Kahf so that we are protected from the trials of the end times.

Now look at Surah al-Isrā’, verse 9 below. The Qur’an is not merely guidance. It is guidance to the straightest path not the opposite. Only Iblis and the Dajjal or one’s own lower desires would claim that reading the Qur’an without a teacher leads to misguidance so that people stay far from guidance.

Allah Subḥānahu wa Ta‘ālā says:

إِنَّ هَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ يَهۡدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقۡوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعۡمَلُونَ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمۡ أَجۡرًا كَبِيرًا

Sahih International (Al-Isrā’ 17:9):
“Indeed this Qur’an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward.”

It is very clear from Allah Himself that if you are among the righteous it is very good news for you. If you are not among the righteous the Qur’an will be to you only ordinary verses with no special news.

If you still insist that reading the Qur’an without a teacher can lead to misguidance then compare that view with the clear and manifest words of Allah in Surah Fuṣṣilat verses 41–42:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِٱلذِّكۡرِ لَمَّا جَآءَهُمۡ ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَكِتَٰبٌ عَزِيزٞ
Sahih International (Fuṣṣilat 41:41):
“Indeed those who disbelieve in the message after it has come to them and indeed it is a mighty Book.”

لَّا يَأۡتِيهِ ٱلۡبَٰطِلُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِ يَدَيۡهِ وَلَا مِنۡ خَلۡفِهِۦ ۖ تَنزِيلٞ مِّنۡ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ
Sahih International (Fuṣṣilat 41:42):
“Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it. [It is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy.”

These two verses categorically deny that falsehood can ever infiltrate the Qur’an. If falsehood cannot approach it it is impossible for it to be a source of misguidance.

This fact will remain forever regardless of our individual stances and views. It is our choice whether we follow the Qur’an or not.

To be continued

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