In life, many people may find themselves drifting away from the path of righteousness, sometimes without even realising it. However, Allah, in His mercy and wisdom, does not abandon us in our waywardness. Instead, He calls us back, offering guidance through a series of stages, designed to help us return to Him and lead a life of true purpose and fulfillment. These four stages of divine call, known as dawah, are a reflection of Allah’s deep care and love for His creation.

1. The First Stage: Allah’s Clear Guidance Through Opportunity

The first stage is the easiest and most accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or current state of faith. Allah provides guidance through clear and simple means, such as exposure to reminders, messages, and opportunities to reflect. This is the stage where the divine call comes through accessible, everyday experiences.

For example, on Fridays, many of us have the opportunity to attend the khutbah (sermon) at the mosque. This is a moment of reflection, a time to hear reminders about our faith and duties toward Allah. Similarly, Allah sends opportunities to hear reminders through YouTube videos, books, or even conversations with fellow believers. It could be that one day, after a week of personal reflection, you might open your phone to find that a video or reminder on a topic you were thinking about appears before you — a sign that Allah is sending you a message. Even when we find ourselves distracted, He might send someone to remind us of what we are neglecting.

At this stage, we are simply being invited back to Allah through gentle nudges. If we embrace these moments of guidance, they can lead us back to the right path.

2. The Second Stage: Divine Discipline

If the first stage does not wake us up, Allah, in His infinite wisdom, moves to the second stage — discipline. Just like a loving parent disciplines a child, Allah may bring challenges into our lives to guide us. The purpose is not to punish, but to nurture us into a better state of mind and soul.

When we do not respond to the reminders and gentle calls of Allah, He may bring difficulties our way. These could range from personal losses, illness, financial setbacks, or relational conflicts. Just as a child learns important lessons through challenges and mistakes, these difficulties in life serve as a way for us to grow, learn, and ultimately return to Allah.

While these problems may feel like setbacks, they are, in reality, opportunities for spiritual growth. The key is to recognise that every hardship is a chance to return to Allah, learn from the situation, and become stronger. Allah does not send trials without wisdom.

إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًۭا ٦

Surely with ˹that˺ hardship comes ˹more˺ ease.

Ash-Sharh 94:6

3. The Third Stage: Compelling Situations

If a person continues to turn away from the previous stages of guidance, Allah may bring about a more compelling situation. This is a situation that a person cannot ignore or escape from. It could be a serious problem that forces one to confront reality — something that demands action and reflection.

These “compelling” situations could take the form of legal matters, health crises, or severe financial loss. At this point, the hardship becomes undeniable, and the person is left with no choice but to confront it. It could be something that shakes the person to their core, such as the death of a loved one or a major personal failure.

The purpose of this stage is to give the individual a moment of clarity, to force them to face the reality of their situation. Allah may allow us to feel the weight of our mistakes and poor choices, but it is always with the hope that we will return to Him in repentance and humility.

4. The Final Stage: The Catastrophe

If the first three stages do not move a person to return to Allah, the final and most devastating stage occurs. This is not a punishment in the traditional sense but rather the most tragic outcome — when Allah allows the person to go astray without intervention.

In this stage, Allah “lets them go.” He no longer sends reminders, no longer compels them with hardship, and no longer offers guidance. The individual is free to follow their desires without any divine interference. This is the ultimate catastrophe — when a person is left to the fleeting satisfaction of their worldly desires, and they forget the very purpose of their existence.

وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ نَسُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَأَنسَىٰهُمْ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَـٰسِقُونَ ١٩

And do not be like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves. It is they who are ˹truly˺ rebellious.

Al-Hashr 59:19

In this state, not only does the individual lose connection with Allah, but they also lose a sense of their true self, leading to spiritual corruption.

The Path of Repentance and Return

It is important to remember that Allah is always calling us back, and His mercy knows no bounds. If we find ourselves in any of these stages, we should take it as an opportunity to reflect and return to Allah before the final stage of abandonment. Allah’s door of repentance is always open, no matter how far we have strayed.

Through guidance, discipline, compelling situations, and even the risk of abandonment, Allah’s goal is always our return to Him. It is never too late to turn back and seek His mercy. We must never despair, for Allah says in the Quran:

No matter how big someone’s sins are, they cannot be bigger than Allah’s mercy. Based on An-Nisa 4:48, the only unforgivable sin in Islam is if someone dies while disbelieving in Allah or associating others with Him in worship. In an authentic narration collected by At-Tirmiⱬi, the Prophet (ﷺ) reports that Almighty Allah says, "O children of Adam! As long as you call upon Me, putting your hope in Me, I will forgive you for what you have done, and I will not mind. O  children of Adam! If your sins were to reach the clouds of the sky and then you sought My forgiveness, I would ˹still˺ forgive you. O  children of Adam! If you were to come to Me with sins filling the whole world and then you came to Me without associating other gods with Me, I would certainly match your sins with forgiveness."

As we navigate the stages of life, let us remember to heed the calls of Allah in every form they come to us — through guidance, discipline, and even hardship. Let us strive to return to Him, seeking His mercy and forgiveness before we reach the final, devastating stage of being left to our desires. May Allah guide us all to the straight path and grant us the wisdom to recognise His signs. Ameen.