al-Hudā is interpreted in seventeen ways:
1. al-Hudā is used in the sense of bayān (clear exposition); as in the following verses:
They are upon a hudā (that is, bayān) from their Lord. (al-Baqara 2:5)
They are upon a hudā (that is, bayān) from their Lord. (Luqmān 31:5)
The confirming statement of this is in the following verse from Sūrat Fussilat:
As for Thamūd, We gave them hudā/hudā (that is, We made clear / informed them). (Fussilat 41:17)
Indeed, We showed him the way of hudā/hudā (that is, We made clear / informed him). (al-Insān 76:3)
Has it not been a cause of hudā/hudā for them (that is, has it not been made clear / informed to them): How many generations We destroyed before them as they walk among their dwellings? Surely in that are signs for those of sound intellect. (Ṭā-Hā 20:128)
Has it not been a cause of hudā/hudā for them (that is, has it not been made clear / informed to them): How many generations We destroyed before them as they walk among their dwellings? Surely in that are signs; will they not listen? (al-Sajda 32:26)
There are many similar verses.
2. By al-Hudā, the religion of Islam is intended; as in the following verses:
Indeed, you are upon a straight hudā (that is, a straight religion: Islam). (al-Ḥajj 22:67)
Say: "Indeed, hudā is the hudā of Allah" (that is, the religion is the religion of Islam). (al-Baqara 2:120)
Indeed, hudā is the hudā of Allah (that is, the religion is the religion of Islam). (al-Anʿām 6:71)
There are many similar verses.
3. By hudā, iman (faith) is intended; as in the following verses:
Allah increases the hudā of those who are guided (that is, He increases their iman). (Maryam 19:76)
And We increased them in their hudā (that is, their iman). (al-Kahf 18:13)
After it came to you, did We prevent you from hudā (that is, from iman)?! (Sabaʾ 34:32)
Call upon your Lord for us by the covenant with you. Indeed, we will come to hudā (that is, we will have iman, we will be believers). (al-Zukhruf 43:49)
There are many similar examples.
4. Hudā is used in the sense of dāʿī (inviter/caller); as in the following verses:
{O Prophet}! You are only a warner. For every people there is a guide (hādī) (that is, there has been a caller who invites them). (al-Raʿd 13:7)
Indeed, you invite to the straight path (sirat al-mustaqīm) by hudā/hudā (that is, you invite). (al-Shūrā 42:52)
Among the people of Moses is a community who guide (hudā/hudā, that is, invite) with truth. (al-Aʿrāf 7:159)
And We made from among them leaders guiding (hudā/hudā, that is, inviting) by Our command. (al-Sajda 32:24)
Indeed, this Qur'an guides (hudā/hudā, that is, invites) to that which is most upright. (al-Isrāʾ 17:9)
We have heard a Book revealed after Moses confirming what was before it, guiding (hudā/hudā, that is, inviting) to the truth. (al-Aḥqāf 46:30)
It guides (hudā/hudā, that is, invites) to right guidance. (al-Jinn 72:2)
Guide them to the path of Hellfire (hudā/hudā, that is, invite them)! (al-Ṣāffāt 37:23)
There are many similar verses.
5. Hudā (guidance) is used in the sense of maʿrifa (knowing, recognizing, learning); as in these verses:
And He created landmarks; and by the stars they find hudā/hudā (that is, they recognize and learn their way). (al-Naḥl 16:16)
And on the earth We made pathways so that they may find hudā/hudā (that is, so that they may recognize and know the ways they will go). (al-Anbiyāʾ 21:31)
Indeed, I am ever Forgiving to whoever repents, believes, and does righteousness and then is guided (hudā/hudā, that is, recognizes and remembers it). (Ṭā-Hā 20:82)
Let us see whether he will be guided (hudā/hudā, that is, will recognize/know the secret), or will be among those who are not guided (that is, those who do not recognize/do not know the secret). (al-Naml 27:41)
There are many such verses.
6. Hudā is used in the sense of scriptures and messengers; as in the following verses:
If there comes to you from Me a hudā (that is, messengers and scriptures)... (al-Baqara 2:38)
If there comes to you from Me a hudā (that is, messengers and scriptures)... (Ṭā-Hā 20:123)
7. Hudā is used in the sense of uprightness, finding the right way; as in the following verses:
He said, "I hope my Lord will guide me to the sound path (hudā/hudā, that is, will show me the right way)." (al-Qaṣaṣ 28:22)
And I find at the fire a hudā (that is, someone who will show me the way). (Ṭā-Hā 20:10)
Guide us to the straight path (hudā/hudā, that is, show us the right way)! (Ṣād 38:22)
There are many similar verses.
8. Hudā is used in the sense of the state of Muhammad; as in the following verses:
Indeed, those who conceal the clear proofs and the hudā (that is, the state of Muhammad, that he is a prophet-messenger) that We sent down... (al-Baqara 2:159)
Indeed, those who turn away after the hudā (that is, after the state of Muhammad, that he is a prophet-messenger) has been made clear to them... (Muḥammad 47:25)
Those who oppose the Messenger after the hudā (that is, after the state of Muhammad, that he is a prophet-messenger) has been made clear to them... (Muḥammad 47:32)
9. By al-Hudā, the Qur'an is intended; as in these verses:
Indeed, there has come to them from their Lord a hudā (that is, the Qur'an). (al-Najm 53:23)
When a hudā (that is, the Qur'an containing the explanation of everything) came to them, nothing prevented people from believing except that they said, "Has Allah sent a human as a messenger?" (al-Isrāʾ 17:94)
When a hudā (that is, the Qur'an containing the explanation of everything) came to them, nothing prevented people from believing and seeking forgiveness from their Lord except that the precedent of the former peoples should come upon them. (al-Kahf 18:55)
10. By al-Hudā, the Torah is intended; as in the following verses:
We certainly gave Moses a hudā (that is, the Torah). (al-Muʾmin 40:53)
We certainly gave Moses the Book—so do not be in doubt over its meeting—and We made it a hudā (that is, guidance by the Torah) for the Children of Israel. (al-Sajda 32:23)
A similar example is found in Sūrat al-Isrāʾ.
11. Hudā is used in the sense of being led to istirjāʿ (saying 'innā lillāh...'); as in the following verses:
Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are guided (hudā/hudā, that is, those led to istirjāʿ). (al-Baqara 2:157)
Whoever believes that what befalls him is from Allah, He will guide (hudā/hudā) his qalb (the heart) (that is, He will lead his heart to istirjāʿ). (al-Taghābun 64:11)
12. Lā yahdī (does not guide) is used in the sense of not establishing a proof/evidence, not guiding from misguidance to His religion; as in the following verses:
Have you not considered the one who argued with Abraham about his Lord [merely] because Allah had given him kingship? When Abraham said, "My Lord is the one who gives life and causes death," he said, "I give life and cause death." Abraham said, "Indeed, Allah brings up the sun from the east, so bring it up from the west." So the disbeliever was overwhelmed [by astonishment], and Allah does not guide (hudā, that is, does not establish proof/evidence, does not guide from misguidance to His religion) the wrongdoing people. (al-Baqara 2:258)
Do you consider the providing of drink to the pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque... Allah does not guide (hudā, that is, does not establish proof/evidence, does not guide from misguidance to His religion) the wrongdoing people. (al-Tawba 9:19)
Allah does not guide (hudā, that is, does not guide from misguidance to His religion) the wrongdoing people. (al-Jumuʿa 62:5)
There are many similar verses.
13. al-Hudā is used in the sense of tawhid (the oneness of God); as in the following verses:
If we follow the hudā (that is, tawhid and the true religion) with you, we will be driven out from our land. (al-Qaṣaṣ 28:57)
He it is who sent His Messenger with hudā (that is, tawhid) and the religion of truth. (al-Ṣaff 61:9)
A similar example is found in Sūrat al-Fatḥ.
14. Hudā is used in the sense of sunnah; as in the following verses:
We found our forefathers upon a community, and we are guided (hudā/hudā, that is, we follow their sunnah in kufr, thinking it is right). (al-Zukhruf 43:22)
Those are the ones whom Allah has guided (hudā/hudā, that is, the prophets). So follow their guidance (that is, their sunnah in tawhid)! (al-Anʿām 6:90)
15. Lā yahdī (does not guide) is used in the sense of not reforming; as in the following verse:
Indeed, Allah does not guide (hudā/hudā) the plot of the betrayers (that is, He does not reform the deeds of the unchaste). (Yūsuf 12:52)
16. al-Hudā is used in the sense of inspiration to animals; as in the following verses:
Our Lord is He who gave each thing its form (that is, to all living creatures on earth) and then guided (hudā/hudā, that is, inspired it how to find its sustenance and pasture). (Ṭā-Hā 20:50)
He who determined (that is, determined the creation of male and female) and then guided (hudā/hudā, that is, inspired the male how to approach the female, and the female how to come to him). (al-Aʿlā 87:3)
17. Hudnā is used in the sense of tawba (repentance, returning); as in the following verse:
Indeed, we have hudnā to You (that is, we have returned to You). (al-Aʿrāf 7:156)