What is the difference between being guided by Allaah and guided thanks to people?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

There are two types of guidance; one which means leading and instructing people to the religion of Allaah, calling to it, and urging them to abide by it. This kind of guidance was the task of the Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, and their followers. Allaah Says (what means): {Say, “This is my way; I invite to Allaah with insight, I and those who follow me.}[Quran 12:108]. This kind does not absolutely lead to guidance, the people being invited to the way of Allaah may follow this guidance as they may object it. Allaah Says (what means): {And as for Thamood, We guided them, but they preferred blindness over guidance.}[Quran 41:17].

The other type is where one is enabled by Allaah to follow the guidance, no one can play any role in it, as it is from His Favour [and He bestows it on whomever He wants]. Allaah Says (what means): {For indeed, Allaah sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills.}[Quran 35:8]. So, no one has any interference on this type of guidance. Allaah Says (what means): {So whoever Allaah wants to guide, He expands his heart to [contain] Islam; and whoever He wants to misguide, He makes his heart tight and constricted as though he were climbing into the sky.}[Quran 6:125].

We ask Allaah to guide us to the straight path and repel from us falsehood and the misguided people, as He answers the supplications of whoever calls unto Him.

Allaah Knows best.