Does man choose guidance and repentance by his own will, or is it by the will of God, knowing that man's destiny—misery or piety—is known to God from his birth?

Guidance is of two types:

1. Guidance of direction and indication: This is possessed by humans, as in the Almighty's saying: "And indeed, you guide to a straight path."

2. Guidance of divine enabling (Tawfiq): This is possessed by none but Allah, as in the Almighty's saying: "Indeed, you do not guide whom you like."

Allah has prepared humans and placed within them the capacity for guidance. Whoever strives and exerts effort in seeking it will be granted the guidance of divine enabling by Allah, as in the Almighty's saying: "And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways."

Causes of Guidance:

1. Belief in Allah: "And whoever believes in Allah - He will guide his heart."

2. Following the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him: "And follow him so that you may be guided."

3. Eagerness to learn the revelation and act upon it.

4. Persistence in acts of worship.

As for repentance, it is of two types:

1. The repentance of the servant to Allah: This is through regret, cessation (of sin), and determination not to return (to it).

2. Allah's acceptance of the servant's repentance: This is by accepting it and granting forgiveness: "The repentance accepted by Allah is only for those who do wrong in ignorance and then repent soon after. It is those to whom Allah will turn in forgiveness."