Introduction
God has revealed the Quran to guide humanity to a straight path bringing them from the darknesses into the light until the end of the world, and has assigned more than two dozen attributes to it that they can reflect to seek a straight path for them. The attributes which are very common are: guidance, clear proofs of the guidance, statue book, clarifying Quran, flawless, witness, good news, bearer of good news, warner, warning, mercy, healing, straight path, a caller to God, a light, an illuminating lamp, great, glorious, honorable, wise, the truth, best hadith, a message, a messenger, a scripture, confirming and consolidating scripture, blessed scripture, clarifying scripture, powerful scripture, final edition of scripture (seal of the prophets), a reminder, blessed reminder, complete, perfect, a detailed explanation, a wonder and mathematical coding being God is its author, teacher and protector. While surahs along with verses being its high level information has spelled out commands, laws, covenants, prophecies, promises, signs, oaths, warnings, wonders, factual, examples, analogies, stories and crucial statements that we may better understand it as our guidance reflecting to a particular piece of information to find a straight path and a right religion for us to worship God while the scripture and the religion are two handles to hold fast to God, the strongest bond that never breaks.
Instances of siraat (صِرَٰط)
There are 45 instances of siraat in the Quran in the noun form meaning “path/way” in 45 verses across 24 surahs, are described below that may help us seek a straight path reflecting God’s teachings in different contexts:
[1:6] Guide us to the straight path (ih’dinaa al-siraata al-mus’taqeem);
[1:7] A path of those whom You have bestowed favor upon them (siraata alladheena an’`am’ta `alayhim); not of those who have incurred wrath upon them, nor of the strayers.
Note: Salat is a prime source of nourishing our soul and we must practice it in a way that our prayer is responded by our Lord being our Guide and Helper (25:31) otherwise it would be just uttering of some Arabic words and movement of body through standing, bowing and prostrating.
[2:142] The fools among the people will say, “What has turned them from their direction of prayer, which they have done towards it?” Say, “To God belongs the east and the west; He guides whomever He wills to a straight path (yahdee man yashaau ilaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).”
[2:213] The people had been one community as God has raised up the prophets as bearers of good news and warners, and has revealed with them the scripture with the truth to judge between the people in what they have differed in it. And has not differed in it except those who have been given it after what has come to them the clear proofs due to jealousy between themselves. Then God has guided those who have believed that which they have differed in it of the truth with His permission. And God guides whomever He wills to a straight path (wa-allahu yahdee man yashaau ilaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).
Note: God has given us scripture with the truth to seek a straight path with Him as well as to judge any disputes among the people while He has defined the word, prophet associating scripture with it that we can make a clear distinction between prophet and messenger.
[3:51] Indeed, God is my (Jesus) Lord and your Lord. So you shall worship Him. This is a straight path (haadhaa siraatun mus’taqeemun).
[3:101] How do you disbelieve, while is recited God’s revelations upon you and His messenger is among you? And whoever holds fast to God; then certainly, he has been guided to a straight path (fa-qad hudiya ilaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).
[4:68] And surely, we would have guided them to a straight path (wa-la’hadaynaahum siraatan mus’taqeeman).
[4:175] So as for those who have believed in God, and have held fast to Him, then He will admit them into mercy from Him and bounty, and will guide them to Him to a straight path (wa-yahdeehim ilayhi siraatan mus’taqeeman).
[5:16] God guides with it (Quran) whoever has sought His pleasure to ways of the peace; and He brings them out of the darkness into the light by His permission, and guides them to a straight path (wa-yahdeehim ilaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).
[6:39] And those who have denied in our revelations are deaf and dumb being in the darknesses. Whomever God wills, He sends him astray, and whomever He wills, He places him on a straight path (yaj`alhu `alaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).
[6:87] And from their fathers, and their descendants, and their brothers; and we have chosen them and we have guided them to a straight path (wa-hadaynaahum ilaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).
Note: God guides those who are chosen by Him to a straight path if they follow what is given to them.
[6:126] And this (Quran) is a straight path to your Lord (wa-haadhaa siraatu rabbika mus’taqeeman). Certainly, we have explained the revelations for a people who take heed.
Note: Here is a direct commandment from God that Quran is a straight path to our Lord, which has been explained in detail that we can take heed being the command very straightforward.
[6:153] And that this is My path, is a straight one (wa-anna haadhaa siraati-i mus’taqeeman). So you shall follow it, and you do not follow the other paths that they part of you from His path. That He has enjoined you with it so that you may fear (Him).
[6:161] Say (Muhammad), “Indeed me, has guided me my Lord to a straight path (innani-i, hadaani-i rabbi-i ilaa siraatin mus’taqeemin), an established religion – a religion of Abraham, monotheism. And he has not been with the idolaters.”
Note: God guides His prophet to a straight path, a right religion – a religion of Abraham, monotheism while there is a misconception around us that Muhammad is a founder of Islam.
[7:16] He (Satan) said, “As for that You have sent me astray; surely, I will sit for them in Your path, the straight (la’aq’`udanna lahum siraataka al-mus’taqeeman).
[7:86] And you do not sit on every path threatening and hindering from God’s way (wa-laa-taq’`uduu bikulli siraatin tuu`iduuna wa-tasudduuna `an sabiili allahi) for whoever has believed in Him and seeking to make it crooked. And remember when you have been few that He has increased you. And see how has been an end of the corruptors.
[10:25] And God calls to an abode of the peace and guides whomever He wills to a straight path (wa-yahdii man yashaau ilaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).
[11:56] Indeed, I (Hud) have put trust upon God, my Lord and your Lord. There is not a creature except He is seizing of its forelock. Indeed, my Lord is on a straight path (inna rabbii `alaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).
[14:1] Alif.Laam.Rah. A scripture we have revealed it to you (Muhammad) that you may bring the people out of the darknesses into the light by permission of their Lord to a path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy (litukh’rija al-naasa mina al-zulumaati ilaa al-nuuri bi-idh’ni rabbihim ilaa siraati al-aziizi al-hamiidi).
[15:41] He (God) said, “This is a straight path upon Me (haadhaa siraatun `alayya mus’taqeemun)”.
[16:76] And God has set an example of two men – one of them is dumb, he does not have power over anything, while he is a burden on his master. Wherever he directs him, he cannot come with anything good. Does equal he and whoever commands with the justice and he is on a straight path (hal yastawii wa-man yamaru bil-`ad’li wa-huwa `alaa siraatin mus’taqeemin)?
[16:121] He (Ibrahim) has been thankful for His favors. He (God) has chosen him and has guided him to a straight path (ij’tabaahu wa-hadaahu ilaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).
[19:36] And indeed, God is my (Jesus) Lord and your Lord; so you shall worship Him. This is a straight path (haadhaa siraatun mus’taqeemun).”
[19:43] “O my father, indeed to me (Abraham), certainly has come to me of the knowledge what does not come to you. So you shall follow me, I will guide you to an even path (ah’dika siraatan sawiyyan).
[20:135] Say, “Everyone is waiting, so you shall wait; then you will know whoever of companions is on the even path (fa-sa-ta`maluuna man ashaabu al-siraati al-sawiyi) and whoever has guided.”
[22:24] And they have been guided to the good of the word, and they have been guided to a path of the Praiseworthy (wa-haduu ilaa siraati al-hamiidi).
[22:54] And that it may know those who have been given the knowledge that it is the truth from your Lord, so they believe in it, then it may be humble their hearts to it. And indeed, God surely is a Guide of those who have believed to a straight path (wa-inna allaha la’haadi alladheena aamanuu ilaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).
Note: What has been revealed through Muhammad is the truth from God and He is a Guide of those who have believed to a straight path.
[23:73] And indeed, you surely call them to a straight path (wa-innaka la’tad’`uuhum ilaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).
[23:74] And indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter are surely deviators from the path (wa-inna alladheena laa-yu’minuuna bil-aakhirati `ani al-siraati la’naakibuuna).
[24:46] Certainly, we have sent down clear revelations, while God guides whomever He wills to a straight path (wal-lahu yahdee man yashaau ilaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).
[34:6] And those who have been given the knowledge see which has been revealed to you from your Lord is the Truth, and it guides to a path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy (wa-yahdee ilaa siraatin al-azeezi al-hameedi).
[36:4] On a straight path (`alaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).
[36:61] And that you shall worship Me; This is a straight path (haadhaa siraatun mus’taqeemun).
[36:66] If we will, we could have placed veil over their eyes, then they would have raced the path (fa-is’tabaquu al-siraata), then how could they see?
[37:23] other than God that guide them to a path of the Hellfire (min duuni allahi fa-ih’duuhum ilaa siraati al-jaheemi).
[37:118] And we have guided both of them to the straight path (wa-hadaynaahumaa al-siraata al-mus’taqeema).
[42:52] And thus that we have inspired to you (prophet) an inspiration by our command. You have not been to know what the scripture was nor what was the faith. And we have made it a light; we guide with it whomever we will of our servants. Indeed, you surely guide to a straight path (wa-innaka la’tahdee ilaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).
Note: Muhammad had no knowledge of the scripture and the faith, but has been inspired to him by God while he has been given a light to guide to a straight path. Thus, not he as a person but a light given to him guides to a straight path.
[42:53] A path of God, the One to Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth (siraati allahi alladhee la’hu maa fee al-samaawaati wa-maa feel al-ardi). Unquestionably, to God reaches all matters.
[43:43] So you (prophet) shall hold fast to that which has been revealed to you; indeed, you are on a straight path (innaka `alaa siraatin mus’taqeemin).
Note: Muhammad has been on a straight path as he held fast to what has been revealed to him, is also a clear indication that hadiths assigned to him after his death are fabrications and great lies.
[43:61] And indeed, he (Jesus) is surely a sign for the Hour. So you do not doubt about it and you shall follow Me; this is a straight path (haadhaa siraatun mus’taqeemun).
Note: Jesus’s date of birth as recorded is a marker to determine the time of the end of the world, there is no doubt about it, and to follow our Lord is a straight path for all of us.
[43:64] Indeed God, He is my (Jesus) Lord and your Lord, so you shall worship Him; this is a straight path (haadhaa siraatun mus’taqeemun).
[48:2] That God may forgive for you (Muhammad) what has preceded of your sins and what would have followed, and may perfect His favor upon you and may guide you to a straight path (wa-yahdiyaka siraatan mus’taqeeman).
Note: God guides His prophet to a straight path perfecting His blessing upon him even forgiving his past and future sins, is a clear indication that anyone whoever he may be cannot be in better place in the Hereafter unless his Lord forgives him, and also a good news for any true believers being God is an equitable Judge.
[48:20] God has promised you (all) abundant spoils of war you will take, thus He has hastened this for you and has withheld the people’s hands against you; that it may be a sign for the believers and that He may guide you to a straight path (wa-yahdiyakum siraatan mus’taqeeman).
Note: The victory given to the believers is a sign that God guides the believers to a straight path.
[67:22] Does he then whoever walks fallen upon his face in better guidance, or does he whoever walks smooth on a straight path (amman yamshee sawiyyan `alaa siraatin mus’taqeemin)?
Summary
- We ask God to guide us to a straight path in our direct contact with Him at scheduled times including clarification of the path for us as He knows those who have been blessed by Him and those who have incurred His wrath upon them or those who have gone astray.
- God guides to a straight path whomever He wills in the event of changing the Qibla while both east and west belong to Him which means that obeying His command is a straight path for us.
- He guides to a straight path whoever He wills of those who have believed in the truth while others have differed in it.
- Jesus asked his disciples that God is his Lord and their Lord, so they shall worship Him, which is a straight path.
- Whoever has held fast to God, then He has guided him to a straight path.
- If they had killed themselves and had left their houses for the cause of God, He would have guided them to a straight path.
- Those who have believed in God and have held fast to Him, He will guide them to a straight path.
- God guides with the Quran whoever has sought His pleasure to a straight path.
- Whomever He wills, He places him on a straight path
- He guides to a straight path of those who have been chosen by Him.
- Quran is a straight path to God while He has explained His revelations for a people who take heed.
- This is a straight path to God if the pledge made to Him has been fulfilled.
- God had guided Muhammad to a straight path, an established religion – a religion of Abraham, monotheism.
- The Satan promised to God that he will sit for humans in the straight path of their Lord.
- God has warned the disbelievers not to hinder from His path for whoever has believed seeking it to crookedness.
- He calls to an abode of the peace and guides to a straight whomever He wills.
- Hud said to his people that he had put his trust on his Lord and their Lord as his Lord is on a straight path.
- A scripture given to Muhammad that he may bring people from the darkness into the light, a path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy by His permission.
- God said, “this is a straight path on Me that you (Satan) do not have any authority upon My servants.”
- Not whoever is a burden over his master but whoever commands with justice is on a straight path.
- God has chosen Abraham and has guided him to a straight path.
- Jesus said to his disciples that God is my Lord and your Lord. So you shall worship Him, this is a straight path.
- Abraham said to his father that I have certain knowledge from God, so you shall follow me and I will guide you to an even path.
- A day is coming when everyone will know who was on an even path and who has guided.
- Those who have been guided to the good of the word, have been guided to a path of the Praiseworthy.
- God is a Guide of those who have believed to a straight path and believe in the truth from Him.
- Prophet called to a straight path but the disbelievers in the Hereafter were deviators from the path.
- God has sent down clear revelations while He guides whoever He wills to a straight path.
- What has been revealed to Muhammad is the Truth, which guides to a path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy.
- Worshipping God is a straight path, and if He had covered their eyes, how would they have raced the path?
- God guides to a straight path while whoever guides other than Him guides to a path of the Hellfire.
- Muhammad had no knowledge of the scripture nor the faith, and what was given to him is a light that he guides to a straight path.
- A path of God to Whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth.
- Prophet has been on a straight path as he held fast to what had been revealed to him.
- To follow God is a straight path and Jesus is a sign (marker) about the Hour (the end of the world).
- Jesus said that God is my Lord and your Lord, so you shall worship Him, which is a straight path.
- God may forgive Prophet Muhammad’s past and future sins guiding him to a straight path.
- God has given abundant spoils of war, being a sign that He guides the believers to a straight path.
- Who is better in guidance? is he whoever walks fallen on his face or is he whoever walks smooth on a straight path?
God has defined a straight path being His path making the scripture a light to guide humanity to a straight path. God is a Guide and He has made the Quran to be a straight path to Him as the Quran guides the believers to a straight path being it a straight path from Him and prophet has been on a straight path as he had held fast to the Quran revealed to him. Thus, when we ask God to guide us to the straight path in our direct contact with Him at scheduled times, we seek His help to know and follow the Quran, a guidance for mankind that we can be guided to a straight path being blessed by Him.
In fact, the present global picture of Islam is a great concern for the believers due to excessive focusing on Muhammad making it a personality cult claiming them believers that there should be sought a straight path to God to divert their focus from Muhammad to what has been revealed through him to prevent them from worshiping God associating partner with Him as well as avoiding show offs and festivities that their praises and prayers are dedicated to Him to see their success in the Hereafter.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (08/13/2021).