"Guide us to the Straight Way."
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 1:6)
It is the path of the ones on whom Allah bestowed His grace, namely, the Prophet, THE martyrs, the pious, and not the way of those who earned Allah's anger nor of those who went astray. The Muslims, when they pray every time, ask Allah to keep them on that way. This straight path is the one everyone should not miss because missing this path will only lead to a great loss.
"And whoever assigns partners to Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place."
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 22:31)
Messengers were sent to guide people to this path and Books were revealed as guidance to the people.
"(This is) a Book which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad ) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light (of belief in the Oneness of Allah and Islamic Monotheism) by their Lord's leave to the Path of the All-Mighty, the Owner of all praise."
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 14:1)
Here are some of the human qualities which only the Believers, who enjoy the best morals, can have. The pious persons who reform themselves can avoid the adverse qualities. At all ages Allah bestowed upon some of His slaves, the best qualities to set them as examples to be followed.
"Allah chose Adam, Nuh (Noah), the family of Ibrahim (Abraham) and the family of, above all people (mankind and jinn) (of their times)."
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 3:33)
"Those were they unto whom Allah bestowed His Grace from among the Prophets, of the
offspring of Adam, and of those whom We carried (in the ship) with Nuh (Noah), and of the
offspring of Ibrahim (Abarahm) and Israel, and from among those whom We guided and chose.
When the Verses of the All-Gracious (Allah) were recited unto them, they fell down
prostrate and weeping.” (Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 19:58)
So, whoever wishes to be happy in this world and the hereafter should stick to the
right path, the way of the believers. He should direct his heart and body toward Allah the
All-Great Creator. He should also reform himself and treat his shortcomings by adhering to
the teachings of the Qur'an.
" And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad) after the right path
has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way, We shall keep
him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell. What nd evil destination!"
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 4:115)
Worldly happiness, depends upon the path of the Believers, and total loss is the
definite result if one lives for only worldly desires and lusts. Such desires have no
limits to be achieved, so their end is pain and sadness.
"...Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray."
(Qur'an: Translation of
the meaning, 20:121)
"But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither belies in this Qur'an nor
acts on its teaching) verily, for him is a life of hardship."
(Qur'an: Translation
of the meaning, 20:124)
The definite result of disobeying Allah and following the way of Satan is
sadness, misguidance, trouble, and wretchedness.
The Ansar (supporters of the Prophet) and the Muhajireen (emigrants) really follow the
way of victory, dignity and honor. All people will definitely meet Allah and will have to
account for their deeds.
"Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers when they gave the Bai'ah (pledge) to
you (O Muhammad) under the tree: He knew what was in their hearts, and he sent down
As-Sahinah (calmness and tranquillity) upon them, and he rewarded them with a near
victory."
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 48:18)
In following the right way; the way of the believers, there are many things that need to be
realized.
Knowing Allah and his Supreme Names and Qualities, and that no creature of His resembles
Him, nor can it be qualified with any of His Supreme Qualities.
" So know (O Muhammad) that La ilaha illallah (none has the right to be worshiped but
Allah), and ask forgiveness for you sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and
believing women. And Allah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest (in your
homes)."
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 47:19)
Knowing the Messenger and that whatever he said was conveyed to him by Allah, one
should love him, obey his orders and abstain from whatever he forbade and that Allah
should be worshipped only in the manner the Prophet demonstrated, spoke, did or approved.
One should seek religious knowledge, faith and worship acts as per the Holy Qur'an and
the Sunna as proved by texts of either.
Loving people of the right faith, the Majority and sunna people (Al Jama'a), one should follow their path and never deviate from it as they were the people of
proper knowledge and faith and consent. They were the people who followed the Hadith of
the Prophet and the people who never deviated from the Qur'an and Sunna. They never
practiced any heresies. Such people who follow those pious predecessors deserve every true
Muslim's love and support with money and deeds. Imam Malik, may Allah be Merciful on him,
said:
" The sunna of the Prophet is the ship of Nuh; whoever boards it will be safe and whoever
abstains will drown."
Once the Prophet drew a line on the ground and made many others lines on its left and
right and recited: "And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not
(other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path..." (Qur'an: Translation
of the meaning, 6:153)
This hadith was narrated by Abdullah bin Mas'ud. Who said: " The first
line is the way of Allah and the other lines are the ways where Satan stands to misguide
people.
