There are several places in the Quran where Allah mentions that He guides whom he wills. Following are just some of the select verses where this is mentioned:
*Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided. (28:56)
And [had you been present], you would see the sun when it rose, inclining away from their cave on the right, and when it set, passing away from them on the left, while they were [laying] within an open space thereof. That was from the signs of Allah . He whom Allah guides is the [rightly] guided, but he whom He leaves astray - never will you find for him a protecting guide.(18:17)
Mankind was [of] one religion [before their deviation]; then Allah sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed. And none differed over the Scripture except those who were given it - after the clear proofs came to them - out of jealous animosity among themselves. And Allah guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they had differed, by His permission. And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path. (2:213)
We have certainly sent down distinct verses.** And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path.** (24:46)
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things. (24:35)
And thus have We sent the Qur’an down as verses of clear evidence and because Allah guides whom He intends. (22:16)
And how could you disbelieve while to you are being recited the verses of Allah and among you is His Messenger? And whoever holds firmly to Allah has [indeed] been guided to a straight path (3:101)
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The questions that come to my mind are:
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Why is guidance from Allah only for the people that he selects. Why wouldnt He want everyone to be guided to the right path.
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How does Allah guide his chosen people. Is it a defined process or does one wake up one day and he finds himself guided?
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What must one do to be guided. Let say a person wishes to receive guidance from Allah, what are the steps that he needs to take and in what order.
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Those that are guided by Allah, what are their qualities that distinguish them from the non-guided.
Some may consider them as superfluous and unnecessary questions. Based on my own understanding of the Deen, I do have some answers to these question, but I want to trigger a debate for further clarification of this concept.
for the above posts.