In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

What exactly are we asking for when we say:

اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ

“Guide us upon the straight path”

Guidance meaning: Lead or direct us to the straight path of Islaam is not the intended meaning in Soorah al-Faatihah, since the people reciting Soorah al-Faatihah have already been guided to it, and they have already accepted it. So are we asking Allaah to:

a) Direct us towards Islaam?

b) Allow us to accept it (Islaam)?

c) Or keep us firm upon it after having accepted it (Hidaayat ath-thabaat ‘alal-Haqq)?

While all three above meanings can be correct, meaning:

1) Guide us to the Straight Path (Islaam), by giving us knowledge of the Religion (by teaching us, through the scholars, for example).

2) Guide us to the Straight Path, by allowing us to accept the new things we learn from our Deen and implement them, as all correct beliefs and acts of worship are from as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem.

3) Guide us to the Straight Path, by granting us Continue reading →