WE NEED LIGHT TO GUIDE US (PART 2) -- By: Shabrun Jamil (An Ordinary Man Working as Islamic Counselor of Religious Affair Ministry of Tangerang District)

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu'alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.

Al-Hamdu Lillaahi Shadaqa Wa'dahuu Wa Nashara 'Abdah
Wa A'azza Jundahuu Wa Hazamal Ahzaaba Wahdah
Wasshalaatu Wassalaamu 'Alaa Asyrafil Anbiyaa-i Wal Mursaliin
Sayyidinaa Wa Nabiyyinaa Muhammadin
Wa 'Alaa Aalihii Wa Shahbihii Ajma'iin.

Ammaa ba'du.

Shiraatillaahilladzii lahuu maa fissamaawaati wa maa fil ardhi alaa ilallaahi tashiirul umuur. (Assyuuraa verse 53).
"Verily, you (O, Muhammad) are indeed guiding (mankind) to straight path".

Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was commanded by Allah to convey the truth to all mankind. Later on they have the choice to do as they wish. When a person obeys, he will benefit for himself, and when he disobeys, he will harm himself.

The natural state of man (fitrah) is imprinted in Islam as the religion of reason and thought. The Almighty Allah has discerned the truth from falsehood. He has allowed good things and disallowed evil things.

There are four types of guidance mentioned in the Qur'an, according to Syeikh Ibn Al-Qayyim.
1. General guidance that is given to all creation.
2. Guidance that is in the form of explanation and education by way of defining the two paths of good and evil.
3. Guidance that is tawfiq (a specific type of divine guidance) and inspiration (ilham) from Allah to be guided to the truth of Iman (faith) and Islam (submission).
4. Guidance that is in the next life, by which one shall be guided to paradise.

Yet according to Syeikh Ibn Al-Qayyim, there are further ten levels of guidance that need to be attained for one to be truly guided:
1. Be granted guidance of knowledge and clarity in order for one to know and reach the truth.
2. For the capacity to be guided.
3. Make one desirous of guidance.
4. Make one act upon the guidance.
5. Make one remain steadfast of guidance.
6. Remove all barriers and obstructions that impede guidance.
7. Be granted a distinctive and detailed level of guidance on the path itself and its stations.
8. Be granted sight of one's ultimate goal along the path to be alerted to it so that one can perceive it on the journey, catching sight of it without being blocked from seeing it.
9. Make one aware of destitution and desperate need for guidance from Allah over and above all necessities.
10. Make one see the two misguided paths that veer off from the path of guidance.

Allah Ta'ala instruct us to ask for guidance to the straight path (As-Shiraath Al-Mustaqiim).

SUBHAANAKALLAAHUMMA WA BI HAMDIKA ASYHADU ALLAA ILAAHA ILLAA ANTA ASTAGHFIRUKA WA ATUUBU ILAIKA.