The Right Direction in Life

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

قُلْ هَٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي ۖ وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ۚ

'I and those who follow me see see clearly with the eyes of baseerat (with the light of maa’rifat).'

(Surat Yusuf: 108)

This article was written by Ra'sul Hududil Mayameen Janab Syedi Aziz Bhaisaheb Qutbuddin in 2014.

In a world that is often defined by chaos and uncertainty, we often find ourselves in situations of chaos and uncertainty also. In this chaotic world, those who find clear direction are those who live a life of contentment.

Our efforts, however small or large they may be, must be guided in the right direction. Despite whatever uncertainty may lie ahead of us, because we know the right path we are grounded and have a clear sense of purpose.

In the Qur’an Majeed Allah Ta’ala commands Rasulullah SA to say: ‘this is my path – my Dawat is towards Allah. Me and those who follow me have the vision of baseerat.” We all are very familiar with the concept of “the path”. Every day we pray, ihdinas-sirat al-mustaqeem (may Allah Ta’ala guide us to the straight path).

We are fortunate that despite all the chaos around us, today we are on the Right Path. Just as Rasulullah SA guided those who followed him towards it, Rasulullah’s SA Dai is guiding us towards it as well: this Path that guides us to a life of contentment in this world and leads to Jannat in the hereafter.

Following this road in this world entails a belief in the Oneness of the Almighty and His wisdom of sending a guide for us in every age (Imam-uz-zaman and in his seclusion his Dai). Following this path entails accepting their guidance: we must have good character and practice the tenets of our faith. Following this road also requires sabar, forbearance, and conviction. As with any path in this world there are obstacles and challenges, but he who is steadfast and resolute reaches his destination— aakherat.

It is a great blessing and ne’mat to have such clarity of direction. Many of those around us spend a lifetime finding it. Our Hudaat guide us towards it, but it is up to us to follow it.

It is also important to realize that not all directions are right. For example, their is only one direction that points to Mecca. On one occasion, an individual who pretended to believe but instead harbored enmity in his heart, told Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA, ‘you are also right and so are we.’ Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA responded by reciting this ayat from the Qur’an: ‘I and those who follow me see see clearly with the eyes of baseerat (with the light of maa’rifat).’

As we encounter those who doubt us let us simply say:

قُلۡ كُلࣱّ مُّتَرَبِّصࣱ فَتَرَبَّصُوا۟ۖ فَسَتَعۡلَمُونَ مَنۡ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلصِّرَ ٰطِ ٱلسَّوِیِّ وَمَنِ ٱهۡتَدَىٰ

Say each one of us is waiting, so wait, you will know who are those who are on the straight path and those who are rightly guided.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the strength to follow the right path.