the minds of most people in many instances. Whims and desires overpower most people because doubts and desires dominate their souls. Man was created unjust and ignorant. His original condition is therefore one of ignorance and an inclination toward the evil he desires. He constantly needs detailed knowledge to dispel his ignorance, and justice in his love and hatred, pleasure and anger, action and abstention, giving and withholding. In everything he says and does, he needs justice to counter his injustice. Unless Allah graciously grants him knowledge and justice in every particular matter, his ignorance and injustice will lead him away from the straight path.
Allah Most High said to His Prophet after the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyah and the Pledge of al-Ridwān:
“Indeed, We have granted you a clear triumph,
so that Allah may forgive you your past and future sins, complete His favor upon you, and guide you to a straight path,
and so that Allah may grant you a mighty victory.”
He thus states that He did this to guide him to a straight path. If this was the Prophet’s situation, what then of others? The straight path has been interpreted as the Quran, Islam, and the path of servitude to Allah. All these interpretations are true: it can be described in these and other ways.
This guidance is an absolute necessity for a person’s happiness and salvation, unlike provision and victory. Allah provides for him, and when his provision ceases, he dies. Death is inevitable. If he is among the rightly guided, he will enjoy happiness after death, and death will lead him to everlasting, eternal happiness. It will therefore be a mercy for him.