Following Guidance

At a glance

In the Quran, life is presented as an ongoing journey where every human being is actively following someone or something. Following, or al-ittiba', means treading closely in the footsteps of a guide. The Quran presents this quality not as passive conformity, but as a deliberate moral choice: discerning truth from falsehood, clinging firmly to the revelation brought by the prophets, and walking with clear inner vision.

The Quran divides following into two distinct paths: a praiseworthy path grounded in evidence, divine revelation, and righteous role models; and a blameworthy path driven by blind imitation, fleeting whims, ancestral pride, and the whispers of Satan. Aligning your footsteps with divine guidance Al-Baqarah 2:38 safeguards your heart from anxiety and sorrow, transforming everyday obedience into a sincere expression of love for your Creator.

Key verses

1. Ali 'Imran 3:31: The paper identifies this verse as the definitive standard for love of Allah, proving that genuine love requires active emulation of the Prophet in word, deed, and creed.
2. Al-Jathiyah 45:18: Allah commands the Prophet, and believers by extension, to adhere strictly to the established divine methodology and never surrender to the whims of the ignorant.
3. Al-An'am 6:153: This verse illustrates that the straight path of Allah is singular and unified, warning believers against branching off into scattered ways dictated by divergent human inclinations.
4. Al-A'raf 7:27: The paper cites this verse to emphasize the peril of satanic influence, showing that Satan's guardianship attaches specifically to those who lack faith.

Words to know

الاتباع al-ittiba'

Walking behind another by closely tracing their footsteps, used in the Quran both for physical movement and for adopting a religious creed and law.

Appears 172 times in the Quran.

Most common forms: اتَّبَعَ (136), أَتْبَعَ (15), تَبِعَ (9), تابِع (3), اتِّباع (2)

Root: ت ب ع

الأسوة al-uswah

Taking an individual as a model and emulating their actions, whether in good conduct or in evil.

Root: ا س و

الطاعة al-ta'ah

Complying with commands and prohibitions, which can occur willingly or under reluctance, unlike following which stems from love.

Root: ط و ع

Praiseworthy following

From the paper: «أولًا: الاتباع المحمود»

Praiseworthy following begins with revelation itself. Before directing their communities, the prophets were commanded to adhere strictly to the divine message, turning away from polytheists and patiently enduring harm Al-An'am 6:106, Yunus 10:109, Al-Jathiyah 45:18. Their obedience was rooted in evidence and discernment rather than blind habit, as they modeled surrender to divine truth before demanding it from others Al-An'am 6:50, Al-A'raf 7:203.

Consequently, the Muslim community is commanded to follow the Prophet and the scripture. Walking this path is the genuine proof of loving Allah, bringing His forgiveness and direct guidance Ali 'Imran 3:31, Al-A'raf 7:158, Al-An'am 6:153. This path is singular and protected from deviation, contrasting with all false ways.

Praiseworthy following also extends to human examples who faithfully reflect the truth:

• The Companions, whose comprehensive emulation of the Prophet earned Allah's pleasure At-Tawbah 9:100.
• Sincere callers, such as the believer in Pharaoh's family and the righteous man of Ya-Sin, who invited people to the straight path without self-interest Luqman 31:15.
• Righteous parents, where children inherit upright faith and are reunited in paradise through shared devotion Yusuf 12:38, At-Tur 52:21.

Across all relationships, the paper notes that humans are followed only when they adhere to divine truth, as following belongs fundamentally to the message rather than the person.

Blameworthy following

From the paper: «ثانيًا: الاتباع المذموم»

Blameworthy following occurs whenever one abandons divine revelation to trail after destructive guides. The primary instigator is Satan, an ungrateful enemy whose footsteps lead to disbelief, disputes, wastefulness, and ruin Al-A'raf 7:27, Al-Isra 17:27, Al-Mujadilah 58:19, Luqman 31:21.

A major form of blameworthy following highlighted in the Quran is blind conformity to ancestral custom. Every nation that rejected its messenger excused itself by claiming adherence to the traditions of its forefathers Al-Anbiya 21:53, Az-Zukhruf 43:23. This blind imitation led people to invent religious prohibitions, defend idolatry without knowledge, and normalize indecency Al-A'raf 7:28.

Similarly destructive is deferring uncritically to arrogant leaders and tyrants. Communities followed corrupt rulers like Pharaoh and despotic elites out of intimidation or wealth, only to be guided into catastrophe Hud 11:59, Hud 11:97, Nuh 71:21.

At the root of all these lies the soul's own inclination: following whims (hawa), conjecture, and base lusts Al-Jathiyah 45:18, An-Nisa 4:135. Whims corrupt fair judgment and compromise honest testimony. Left unchecked, a person can elevate personal desire into an idol, taking suspicions as facts and straying from certain truth Yunus 10:36, Al-Jathiyah 45:23, Maryam 19:59.

Quranic styles in presenting following

From the paper: «الأساليب القرآنية في عرض الاتباع»

The Quran uses varied linguistic methods to instill praiseworthy following and deter blameworthy paths.

Direct commands urge adherence to the truth, directing the Prophet and believers to hold fast to the blessed scripture and follow the singular straight road Al-An'am 6:153, Al-An'am 6:155, Al-Jathiyah 45:18. This obedience is linked to attaining Allah's love, forgiveness, and guidance Ali 'Imran 3:31, Al-A'raf 7:158.

Rhetorical questioning is employed to stir deep self-reflection and dismantle excuses. The Quran asks who could possess a better religion than one who surrenders to Allah while doing good and following Abraham's monotheism An-Nisa 4:125. It similarly challenges the conscience by contrasting those who pursue Allah's good pleasure with those who earn His wrath Ali 'Imran 3:162-163.

Praise is directed at attentive, discerning believers. Allah gives glad tidings to those who listen carefully and continuously follow the best of speech, describing them as the truly guided people of understanding.

Finally, prohibitions forbid walking destructive paths Al-A'raf 7:142. Some prohibitions stand absolute to demand reverent surrender, while others are explicitly reasoned: showing that Satan commands immorality, breeds discord, and operates as an outright enemy to humanity Al-Isra 17:27, Al-An'am 6:153.

Consequences and effects of following in both worlds

From the paper: «عواقب الاتباع وآثاره في الدنيا الآخرة»

Following revelation yields immediate serenity and everlasting security. Those who pursue Allah's pleasure are guided through pathways of peace out of darkness and into radiant light Al-Ma'idah 5:15-16. They are shielded from fear and despair, granted profound inner peace, and assured steadfastness during severe trials Al-Baqarah 2:38. Moreover, sincere followers earn Allah's protection and sufficiency, entering into spiritual kinship with the prophets and receiving the forgiveness and prayers of the angels Al-Anfal 8:64, Ali 'Imran 3:68, Ghafir 40:7, At-Tawbah 9:117.

Conversely, blameworthy following bears bitter fruit in this world and the next. Yielding to desires spreads corruption and causes Allah to seal unrepentant hearts Al-Mu'minun 23:71, Muhammad 47:16. Those who substitute whims for divine guidance lose Allah's protective friendship and fall under satanic sway Al-Baqarah 2:120, Al-A'raf 7:27.

In the Hereafter, false allegiances collapse completely. Arrogant leaders and their helpless followers will trade blame in the Fire, but neither can lift the penalty Ibrahim 14:21. Misled followers will plead to disown their idols, while Satan openly mocks them, confessing he made false promises and leaving them alone with their choices Al-Baqarah 2:166-167, Ibrahim 14:22. Their deeds will be nullified, leaving behind only agony and desperate regret Muhammad 47:28.

Takeaways

1. Measure Love by Imitation

   Sincere love for Allah is demonstrated not through mere claims, but through faithful, continuous emulation of the Prophet's teachings in word and action Ali 'Imran 3:31.

2. Evaluate Authority by Revelation

   Respect scholars, leaders, and parents, but recognize that obedience to any human being is conditional upon their alignment with the Quran and the prophetic path.

3. Beware of Internal Whims

   Check your motives in judgment, speech, and testimony, ensuring your stances reflect divine principles rather than private biases or desires An-Nisa 4:135.

4. Break Free from Blind Tradition

   Do not let unexamined cultural habits or ancestral expectations hold you back from accepting clear guidance when evidence reaches you.

Reflect

• When faced with difficult choices, do you look to divine guidance first, or do you follow what feels popular or convenient?
• Are there cultural traditions or family habits you follow that conflict with the clear teachings of the Prophet?
• In what specific area of your life right now can you align your actions more closely with the Sunnah out of love for Allah?

Go deeper

Linguistic meaning

The root t-b-' revolves around following behind another, tracing their footsteps, and pursuing their path closely.

Technical meaning

Al-Sharbaasi defines following in a moral sense as distinguishing the vile from the wholesome, discerning one's path with clear sight, and adopting truthful predecessors as models without falling into innovation.

How it differs from related terms

الأسوة Role Model / Exemplar

While both involve adhering to a path, al-uswah focuses specifically on adopting an individual as a model to emulate their conduct, which can be either praiseworthy or blameworthy.

الطاعة Obedience

Obedience signifies complying with commands and prohibitions, which can sometimes occur reluctantly or under compulsion, whereas following (al-ittiba') carries a spirit of genuine devotion and love.

Every verse in the paper

All 106 verses the research paper discusses, grouped under its own headings.

The concept of following «مفهوم الاتباع»

Linguistic meaning «أولًا: المعنى اللغوي»

14:21

Technical meaning «ثانيًا: المعنى الاصطلاحي»

2:38

Following in Quranic usage «الاتباع في الاستعمال القرآني»

28:50, 2:120, 3:31, 4:157, 2:145, 26:52, 17:69, 20:78, 2:166

Types of following «أنواع الاتباع»

Praiseworthy following «أولًا: الاتباع المحمود»

6:106, 45:18, 10:109, 33:2, 16:123, 43:43, 6:50, 7:203, 10:15, 46:9, 3:31, 7:158, 19:43, 43:61, 3:95, 20:90, 6:153, 6:155, 26:83, 6:85, 9:100, 31:15, 42:13, 12:38, 2:133, 52:21

Blameworthy following «ثانيًا: الاتباع المذموم»

3:36, 17:27, 22:3, 19:83, 7:27, 59:16, 4:60, 47:25, 6:71, 27:24, 5:91, 3:155, 58:19, 43:36, 58:10, 31:21, 2:200, 43:22, 33:67, 23:24, 21:53, 7:70, 43:23, 51:53, 7:28, 28:36, 34:43, 71:21, 11:59, 20:79, 11:97, 38:26, 5:48, 5:49, 4:135, 5:8, 42:15, 45:18, 45:23, 10:36, 6:148, 6:116, 19:59, 4:27

Quranic styles in presenting following «الأساليب القرآنية في عرض الاتباع»

The directive style urging the following of good «أولًا: أسلوب الطلب للحث على اتباع الخير»

10:109, 45:18, 6:155, 6:153, 19:43, 43:61, 43:43, 3:31, 7:158

The style of disapproving rhetorical questioning «ثانيًا: أسلوب الاستفهام الإنكاري»

4:125, 3:162-163

The prohibition against following evil «رابعًا: أسلوب النهي عن اتباع الشر»

7:142, 10:89

Consequences and effects of following in both worlds «عواقب الاتباع وآثاره في الدنيا الآخرة»

Effects of praiseworthy following «أولًا: آثار الاتباع المحمود»

5:15-16, 20:123, 7:157, 20:47, 3:173, 8:64, 28:35, 3:68, 2:38, 40:7, 9:117

Effects of blameworthy following «ثانيًا: آثار الاتباع المذموم»

23:71, 47:16, 54:3, 6:150, 6:56, 7:27, 2:120, 13:37, 11:116, 14:21, 2:166-167, 19:82, 14:22, 47:28

About this source

Volume

1

Research paper

«الاتباع» (Following Guidance)

Read the full paper (Arabic)

Encyclopedia of Thematic Tafsir of the Noble Quran, published by the Tafsir Center for Quranic Studies.

This study guide summarizes the Arabic research paper. For full scholarly detail, refer to the original. This preview has not been reviewed yet.

Related topics

• Fatherhood الأبوة
• Blind Following التقليد
• Satan الشيطان
• Role Model القدوة
• Base Desire الهوى
• Divine Revelation الوحي