One might ask how could it be a person’s fault if Allah (swt) does not inspire him to accept Islam, but rather makes his breast tight and restricted from it? The answer is that everything within the realm of Allah (swt) happens under His Will. We do not disobey out of free will alone, but because Allah (swt) gave us that will originally. Indeed, He (swt) gave us the freedom to choose between rightful guidance and disobedience, and some have chosen to disobey. Their choice does not mean stepping out of the realm of His Will (swt), because they only have the ability to choose out because Allah (swt) wills it. This is the basis of commissioning and tribulation. Allah (swt) says:
تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ (1) الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ (2)
((1) Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent. (2) [He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving) (AL-Mulk: 1-2)
As mentioned before, there are two types of guidance. The first one is Directional Guidance which is sent to all of mankind without exception. One may ask “Why did Allah (swt) guide that person, but not me?” Allah (swt) says:
إِنَّ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ
(Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most suitable) (AL-Israa: 9)
He (swt) says to the Prophet (saws):
إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ
(Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided) (AL-Qasas: 56)
The second type is the Guidance of Support. When choosing Directional Guidance, Allah (swt) eases the hardship of commandments for us, not by reducing the duties but by making us desire it. This is the meaning of: (So whoever Allah wants to guide – He expands his breast to [contain] Islam).
Thus, the one who is induced to follow the Directional Guidance, will passionately follow all Allah’s commands. This person will have no feeling of laziness before praying and he will abide to Allah’s (swt) orders with love. Just like the role model of all mankind, our Prophet (saws), who said to Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him):
“O Bilal, call iqamah for prayer: give us comfort by it”[1]
He (saws) found comfort in fulfilling the commandments. Once again, this is the meaning of: (expanding the breast); it is to crave obedience, good deeds, spending, charity, prayer, and fasting.
( وَمَن يُرِدْ أَن يُضِلَّهُ يَجْعَلْ صَدْرَهُ ضَيِّقًا حَرَجًا كَأَنَّمَا يَصَّعَّدُ فِي السَّمَاءِ) (and whoever He wants to misguide – He makes his breast tight and constricted as though he were climbing into the sky): Scientists discovered that when humans fly to high levels in the sky, the chest tightens as it begins to work hard against gravity. It is well known that the chest is the place where the heart and lungs are located, and where the oxygen enters and CO2 exits. Allah (swt) reveals this to His Messenger (saws) by saying: (and whoever He wants to misguide – He makes his breast tight and constricted as though he were climbing into the sky). The constriction is a feeling of restraint when trying to do something.
( كَذَٰلِكَ يَجْعَلُ اللَّهُ الرِّجْسَ) (Thus does Allah place defilement): Defilement means punishment.
[1] Sahih al-Bukhari: Prophetic Commentary on the Quran: Chapter Sura Al/Taoba, Hadith Nr. (4386).