An-Nahl (The Bee)

93. “And if Allah had willed, He would have made you (all) one nation; but He leaves straying whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases; and you will definitely be questioned of what you used to do.”

Allah leads all people inherently. However, the people, based on their authority and will, are mainly divided into two categories: The ones who select the wrong path contrary to their inherent nature and intellect and are not repenting.

Allah leaves such people to themselves. However, another category select what is inherently embedded of goodness in their nature. Allah then assists them and leads them. Therefore, what is meant through leading and misleading by Allah comes a stage after the man’s selection.

For instance, a teacher intends, from the first day of his teaching, to cover all students in his instruction, though some struggle to understand to whom the teacher also allocates extra time for teaching, while the mischievous child is often left to himself by the teacher.

Incidentally, if the issue of leading man and of his being misled were not voluntary matters, Allah would not proclaim:

“You will definitely be questioned”.

Therefore, Allah’s question in this connection is a sign of our free will, for the man under compulsion, would not be held responsible.

Anyway, Allah is free in imposing obligations on people, though His way of treatment and programs only include leaving people free.