Sunnah of Hidayah
It covers all creation, especially humans, whether they are believers or unbelievers. But sometimes it specifically benefits the group of believers.
The first one is called general Hidayah while the second is special Hidayah or limited Hidayah.
The general Hidayah, which is also called Takwini (related to creation), means guiding all creation to all benefits and perfections in this world and the hereafter.
This kind of Hidayah covers all beings in the world, from the tiniest particles to largest celestial bodies and from those lowest in rank to the most sublime, namely human beings.
On their path to growth and perfection, all beings benefit from this kind of Hidayah as much as it is possible for them. That is why the word Wahy is used in the Quran to refer to guidance for both humans and other beings. Examples of this are verses like Verse 50 of Surah Taha, “They replied, ‘Our Lord is the One Who has created all things and has given guidance,’” Verse 3 of Surah Al-Aala, “(He) decreed their destinies, and provided them with guidance”, and Verse 78 of Surah Ash-Shuara, “He created me and He will guide me.”
This type of Hidayah is involuntary and benefits all beings. In other words, God has created beings in such a way that they can naturally be placed on the path that leads to their perfection and the destination that is the goal of their creation.
But the special Hidayah, which is also called Tashriei (related to legislation), is only for humans. In addition to the Takwini Hidayah, which is based in Fitrat (nature), the Tashriei Hidayah guides people through divine messengers and Wahy (revelation).
The Tashriei Hidayah is divided into two types: Primary and Secondary. The primary Hidayah is for those who pursue reaching the truth. God guides these people to the right path via the intellect and also divine prophets. The Sunnah of sending messengers and holy books is an example of Tashriei Hidayah.
But the secondary Hidayah is special for believers. When believers benefit from Tashriei Hidayah and answer the call of divine prophets, God grants them a special Hidayah as a reward. It is called secondary or rewarded Hidayah as it is dependent on accepting the primary Hidayah.
Read More:
Verse 9 of Surah Yunus is among the verses of the Quran that refer to rewarded Tahriei Hidayah: “Indeed, those who believe and do righteous works, their Lord will guide them for their belief, beneath them rivers will flow in gardens of bliss.”
According to this verse, if a believer is a righteous servant of God, he or she will be blessed with God’s special favor and reach plenty of Ma’rifah and good deeds.
