Question
In the below mentioned du’a to recite when leaving home, can the word أضلّ in the abovementioned narration be taken to mean guidance as far as navigation i.e. for one not to lose his way or get lost?
اللَّهُم اني أعوذُ بِكَ أن أَضِلَّ أو أُضَلَّ، أو أَزلَّ أو أُزَلَّ، أو أَظْلِمَ أو أُظلَمَ، أو أجهَل أو يُجْهَل عَلىَّ
Answer
The narration you are referring to is recorded in Sunan Abi Dawud on the authority of Sayyidah Ummu Salamah (radiyallahu ‘anha). Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has also recorded the Hadith with variation in the wording.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 5053, Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3427. See the complete narration here)
‘اللَّهُم اني أعوذُ بِكَ أن أَضِلَّ أو أُضَلَّ’ means ‘O Allah! I seek Your refuge from misguiding [others] or being misguided.’ The commentators explain that misguidance here refers to misguidance from the straight path or misguidance from the truth (عن الهدى/الحق).
‘Allamah Tibi (rahimahullah) has explained that this misguidance refers to misguidance in some matter of Din.
(Refer: Sharhut Tibi, Hadith: 2442, Mirqatul Mafatih, Hadith: 2442, Mir’atul Mafatih, Hadith: 2466, Tuhfatul Ahwadhi, Hadith: 3427)
I have not come across a commentary which suggests misguidance to mean navigation.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar