Hidaayah is of three types
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Shaykh Muhammad bin Umar Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him) stated:
"The affair of being established upon the religion is from the bequeaths of the Prophets. Allaah has said:
"And Ibraheem advised His children with it as well as Ya'qoob, Oh my children indeed Allaah has chosen for you the true religion. So do not die unless you are Muslimoon"
(Soorah al-Baqarah: 131)
It is the guidance of the straight path which Allaah has taught us. We ask Him for it in our supplications and prayers. The Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) informed us:
"There's no prayer for the one who doesn't recite the Faatihah of the Book (al-Qur'aan)"
In the Faatihah we recite:
"Guide us to the straight path"
(al-Faatihah:6)
The guidance is of three types:
1. Hidaayatul-Irshaad wa at-Ta'leem wa ad-Dalaalah (The guidance of direction, teaching and evidence)
2. Hidaayatut-Tawfeeq Li Qabool al-Haqq (The guidance of success to the acceptance of the truth)
3. Hidaayatut-Tawfeeq Li ath-Thabaat Alaa al-Haqq (The guidance of success to be established upon the truth)
The person praying when he/she stands for prayer, he/she is in need of these categories of guidance."
Taken from "ath-Thabaat alaa al-Manhaj" by Shaykh Muhammad bin Umar Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him) p.g 9-10
Translated by Abu Yusuf Khaleefah Brooklyn NYC
Understanding the topic and applying it to different texts
Some questions for those who like to learn through questions:
1) Quote a verse where Allaah clearly negates the idea of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam) guiding someone. Then explain which of the three types of guidance is being negated.
2) Quote a verse where Allaah clearly affirms the idea of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam) guiding someone. Then explain which of the three types of guidance is being affirmed.
3) Explain how the two verses are understood together harmoniously, clarifying the issue for people who would claim that there is a contradiction between the two verses.
4) What could that fourth type of hidaayah mentioned in that old post on ST.net (link quoted above) possibly be? (with mention of the text that estbalishes the fourth seperate meaning of hidaayah)