إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا لَلْهُدَىٰ 12
Translations
Indeed, [incumbent] upon Us is guidance.
Transliteration
Inna alaina lal-huda
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that guidance (al-huda) is entirely upon Allah's shoulders and responsibility. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain this as Allah's promise to guide those who seek guidance and desire it, emphasizing that true guidance is a divine gift rather than something humans can achieve through their own efforts alone. The ayah reassures believers that Allah has taken upon Himself the responsibility of guidance, following the mention of the two paths (good and evil) in the preceding verses.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period and addresses the fundamental choice between two paths: the path of righteousness and the path of corruption. Verse 12 comes within the context of Surah Al-Layl's discussion of human nature and the two distinct paths available to humanity, emphasizing Allah's role in providing guidance as an essential part of His divine responsibility to His creation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'There is no disease that Allah has sent down except that He has also sent down its cure' (Sahih Bukhari 5678), reflecting the broader Islamic principle that Allah provides remedies and guidance for all challenges. Additionally, the hadith 'Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide him' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2140) directly relates to this ayah's theme of Allah's guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to trust in Allah's guidance while recognizing that seeking guidance requires sincere effort and receptiveness from the individual; it encourages reliance on Allah while maintaining personal accountability for choosing the right path.
Related Ayahs
وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٰطِى مُسْتَقِيمًا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way. This has He instructed you that you may become righteous.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
إِنِّى تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رَبِّى وَرَبِّكُم ۚ مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذٌۢ بِنَاصِيَتِهَآ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
Indeed, I have relied upon Allāh, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature but that He holds it by its forelock [i.e., controls it]. Indeed, my Lord is on a path [that is] straight.
قُلْ إِنَّنِى هَدَىٰنِى رَبِّىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ دِينًا قِيَمًا مِّلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
Say, "Indeed, my Lord has guided me to a straight path - a correct religion - the way of Abraham, inclining toward truth. And he was not among those who associated others with Allāh."