Divine misguidance in the Quran

Qur’anic and Islamic teachings on misguidance, guidance, and divine justice

Divine misguidance in the Qur’an refers to a set of Qur’anic passages in which Allah is described as guiding whom He wills and misguiding whom He wills. These verses form part of Islamic theology concerning divine sovereignty, human moral responsibility, and judgment. In inter-religious polemics, such texts are sometimes cited to argue that Islam portrays God as deceptive; however, classical Islamic theology interprets these passages within a framework of moral choice, justice, and consequence rather than arbitrary deception.

Overview

The Qur’an repeatedly affirms that Allah is the ultimate source of both guidance (hudā) and misguidance (ḍalāl). However, Qur’anic discourse consistently links misguidance to prior human actions, such as arrogance, disbelief, or rejection of truth. In Islamic theology, God does not mislead sincere truth-seekers; rather, misguidance is portrayed as a consequence imposed upon those who choose to turn away from guidance after it has become clear to them.

Key Qur’anic passages

Qur’an 2:26

The Qur’an states that parables lead some to guidance and others to misguidance, depending on their moral state.

“By it He misguides many, and by it He guides many; but He misguides none except the defiantly disobedient.”

Qur’an 14:4

Divine misguidance is presented as occurring only after people reject the message delivered to them.

“Allah leaves astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills; and He is the Mighty, the Wise.”

Qur’an 61:5

This verse links misguidance directly to a prior act of deviation.

“So when they deviated, Allah caused their hearts to deviate.”

Qur’an 16:36

Misguidance is framed as something that happens after the rejection of prophets.

“And among them were those whom Allah guided, and among them were those upon whom misguidance was justified.”

Qur’an 6:125

Spiritual constriction is described as the result of rejection.

“Whomever Allah wills to guide, He expands his breast to Islam; and whomever He wills to misguide, He makes his breast tight and constricted.”

Theological interpretation

In classical Islamic theology, divine misguidance is understood as judicial misguidance—a consequence imposed after a person knowingly rejects guidance. Allah does not mislead innocent or sincere seekers; instead, He allows those who persist in falsehood to become further entrenched in it. This principle is derived from verses that link misguidance to human arrogance, disbelief, and moral rebellion.

Islamic scholars distinguish between:

• Primary guidance — God offering truth to all through revelation and conscience
• Judicial misguidance — God withdrawing guidance from those who deliberately reject it

Thus, misguidance is not arbitrary deception but a moral and judicial response.

Use in inter-religious debate

In Christian–Muslim polemics, Qur’anic verses about misguidance are sometimes cited to accuse Islam of teaching that God deceives people. Muslim scholars respond by pointing to the Qur’an’s consistent framing of misguidance as the result of human choice, not divine trickery. They also contrast this with biblical passages that describe God sending delusion or lying spirits as an active judgment.

See also

• Divine delusion in the Bible