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Astray/Error

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concept

Astray/Error

ضلال

In Islamic tradition, the concept of *ḍalāl* (ضلال), meaning 'astray' or 'error,' describes a state of being misguided, where one has deviated from the [straight path of truth and divine guidance]. It signifies a profound loss of direction, often stemming from disbelief or heedlessness, rather than a mere mistake. The Quran frequently speaks of individuals and communities who have [gone far astray] by rejecting God’s messages or actively leading others away from His path. This state is not always one of intentional malice; sometimes, people are [in error while they thought that they were guided], having chosen allies other than Allah. The Quran emphasizes that Allah guides whom He wills and allows to go astray whom He wills, often as a consequence of human choices and intentions, as He does not [lead astray except the defiantly disobedient]. Understanding *ḍalāl* is crucial as it underscores the importance of seeking knowledge, reflecting upon one's beliefs, and constantly striving to remain steadfast on the path of God’s wisdom.

Quran 2 verses

4:167View in graph

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ قَدْ ضَلُّوا۟ ضَلَٰلًۢا بَعِيدًا

Innal lazeena kafaroo wa saddoo 'an sabeelil laahi qad dalloo dalaalam ba'eedaa

Indeed, those who disbelieve and avert [people] from the way of Allah have certainly gone far astray.

جن لوگوں نے کفر کیا اور (لوگوں کو) خدا کے رستے سے روکا وہ رستے سے بھٹک کر دور جا پڑے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Then comes verse رُّ‌سُلًا مُّبَشِّرِ‌ينَ وَمُنذِرِ‌ينَ (-- Messengers giving good tidings and warning...) which succinctly tells that Almighty Allah consistently sent messengers to convey good tidings to all believers and to warn all disbelievers so that there remains no room for the excuse that th...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Surely those who disbelieve in God and bar people from the way of God from the religion of Islam by concealing the descriptions of Muhammad (s) and these are the Jews they have indeed gone far astray from the truth.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): إِنَّآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ (Verily, We have inspired you...) emphasized the Prophet's prophethood and refuted the idolators and People of the Scripture who denied him. Allah said, لَّـكِنِ اللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ إِلَيْكَ (But Allah bears witness to that which He has sent down unto you,) mea...
7:30View in graph

فَرِيقًا هَدَىٰ وَفَرِيقًا حَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلضَّلَٰلَةُ إِنَّهُمُ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ

Fareeqan hadaa wa fareeqan haqqa 'alaihimud dalaalah; innahumut takhazush Shayaateena awliyaaa'a min doonil laahi wa yahsaboona annnahum muhtadoon

A group [of you] He guided, and a group deserved [to be in] error. Indeed, they had taken the devils as allies instead of Allah while they thought that they were guided.

ایک فریق کو تو اس نے ہدایت دی اور ایک فریق پر گمراہی ثابت ہوچکی۔ ان لوگوں نے خدا کو چھوڑ کر شیطانوں کو رفیق بنا لیا اور سمجھتے (یہ) ہیں کہ ہدایت یاب ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: In the third verse (30), it was said that there are people Allah has guided right while there are others who have provided the proof of their erroneous conduct, because they have, bypassing Allah, made satans their comrades, and they presume that they are on the right path. The sense is that the gui...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: A party of you He has guided while another party has deserved to go astray — they have taken devils as patrons instead of God that is other than Him and think that they are guided’.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Disbelievers commit Sins and claim that Allah commanded Them to do so! Mujahid said, "The idolators used to go around the House (Ka`bah) in Tawaf while naked, saying, `We perform Tawaf as our mothers gave birth to us.' The woman would cover her sexual organ with something saying, `Today, some or all...

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Related Topics

DisbeliefMisguidance