Meaning of Siraat
There are several words in Arabic for path and they are used at other places in the Quran. Linguistically, “siraat” means a massive straight flat highway which is clearly demarcated. It isn’t crooked or mountainous or a small alley. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) uses “siraat” singularly always in the Quran because there is only one straight massive level path (the path of Islam). Hence we want to be guided in the straight massive path.
In general we ask guidance or directions for destination. We do not ask guidance for a path or road. So why is it that we are supposed to ask, guide us to the straight path instead of say, guide us to Jannah?
This is very unique and very powerful because in this life, our destination is the road itself. It means that in this life, we have to continually make progress. If Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) had mentioned a destination, it would mean we would stop after reaching a particular level. But Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) mentioned a road. It does not have any end. Hence we need to understand the point that our life as Muslims is not about becoming perfect, it is about improving ourselves and continuously making progress.
In a hadith, Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has set an example: A Sirat (straight path) is surrounded by two walls on both sides, with several open doors within the walls covered with curtains. There is a caller on the gate of the Sirat who heralds, ‘O people! Stay on the path and do not deviate from it.’ Meanwhile, a caller from above the path is also warning any person who wants to open any of these doors, ‘Woe unto you! Do not open it, for if you open it you will pass through.’
– The straight path is Islam,
– The two walls are Allah’s set limits,
– The doors resemble what Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has prohibited.
– The caller on the gate of the Siraat is the Book of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala),
– While the caller above the Siraat is Allah’s (subhanahu wa ta’ala) admonishment in the heart of every Muslim.
Hadith from Jami’ at-Tirmidhi
Narrated An-Nawwas bin Sam’an Al-Kilabi (radi allahu anhu): That the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Indeed Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has made a parable of the straight path: At the sides of the path there are walls with open doors, each door having a curtain. There is a caller at the head of the path calling, and a caller above it calling. And Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) invites to the abode of peace and guides whomever he wills to the straight path. The doors which are on the sides of the path are the Hudud (legal limitations) of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala); no one breaches the Hudud of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) except that curtain is lifted, and the one calling from above it is his Lord.”
Meaning of Mustaqeem
Mustaqeem is typically translated as straight. But it comes from the word “istiqama” which implies perfection, righteousness or straight up. Hence it isn’t just a straight path but a perfect, correct and a righteous path that will take us upwards and raise us in ranks. Another word that comes from the root word of “istiqama” is “aqeem” which is usually referred to salah – aqeem-us-salah.