"God leads astray those he will"
I was just thinking about that because of the Yazid topic.
So i researched it and found this site: http://unveilingislam.org/7God-notAstray7.html
It's pretty good, but i'll just take the best points and add my own.
“We sent not a messenger except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people, in order to
make (things) clear to them. So Allah leads astray those whom He pleases and guides whom
He pleases and He is exalted in power, full of wisdom.” (surah 14:4) page 31
Well the site says that it's actually been misinterpreted if we take that to mean that Allah leads some people purposefully away and that actually it's not about THAT but about finding people to have gone astray.
As a point against this, the site also says that the sinners themselves blame satan and not God
It concludes with a point about leading astray and guiding being contradictory (and so paradox) with a part from the Quran. “And it is not attributable to Allah that He should lead a people astray after He has guided
them, so far so that He makes clear to them what they should guard against” (9:115)."
Alright so, fair enough but technicalities aside, this is an exam question and when it's discussed in college etc, it's taken quite literally. And just "it's a misinterpretation" seems like cheating to me.
And like it or not, it brings up questions,
For instance, i mean if God leads those he wills astray, what's the point of satan?
How do you know when it's satan leading you astray, how do you know when it's God, and how do you know when it's you?
Surely a God who leads astray is immoral?
Not saying these things are true, just the musings of a clueless teen. But what do you think?
Comments
Satan was also created by God.
and the aim of the verse was to tell the people that if they preach to someone and the person does not accept the message, they have done their bit, they should not punish themselves for other people not following the guidance.
At the time of the Prophet (saw), there was also a different phenomenon at play - there were people who *knew* that the Prophet
was telling the truth, but they still did not accept either due to them liking the old system, fear or even business interests.
The verse was addressing them all.
There is also IMO a sort of warning in the verse - if you know something is right and you still avoid it, eventually you might run out of second chances and have to live with the consequences.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
So you agree with the site that there's just more to it than is read and it's not so much "leads astray" as "allows to be lead astray"?
#Before you look at the thorns of the rose , look at it's beauty. Before you complain about the heat of the sun , enjoy it's light. Before you complain about the blackness of the night, think of it's peace and quiet... #
From what I remember, I had read it more as condolences to the Prophet
when he had failed in convincing some people to accept Islam, and the message was that his job was to deliver the message and not to make them accept it.
It is a personal warning that if you do not do the right thing, ignore signs and the truth when it is presented to you, you may never be able to correct the errors and run out of second chances or not have them at all, but it is more than that as that is just an inference and not the main aspect.
There is also more context if you read the surrounding verses - which may or may not be useful.
Also the commentary of http://www.tafsir.com may or may not be useful - this is the page on that verse, but it seems to not be too useful to your question.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Awwh, thanks Jack!
Will take a look when i'm feeling more focussed! ^_^
#Before you look at the thorns of the rose , look at it's beauty. Before you complain about the heat of the sun , enjoy it's light. Before you complain about the blackness of the night, think of it's peace and quiet... #
expand.
Check mate!
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.