‘Whoever puts his trust in Allah – He will be enough for him’ (al-Talaq, 65:3).
Tawakkul means to rely upon another, to appoint a trustee and to put one’s trust in that trustee.One of the beautiful names of Allah is ‘Al-Wakeel’. This name has the meanings of ‘the one who takes care of matters which have been referred to Him, (in a most suitable way), and the One who takes care of affairs in the best way, the One who is relied upon, and the One who controls and who rules over everything’.It is a must that the sole Source to be relied upon in all matters is the immortal, everlasting Absolute One of Power. It would be meaningless to trust somebody who is in fact the opposite. Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an: ‘Put your trust in the Living who does not die and glorify Him with praise’(Al-Furqan, 25:58). Allah Most High desires that we, His servants, rely upon Him only. He says in the Qur’an: ‘So let the believers put their trust in Allah’. (Ibrahim, 14:11). ‘Whoever puts his trust in Allah – He will be enough for him’ (al-Talaq, 65:3). The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said: “If you were able to rely on Allah properly, you would be provided for just like birds who leave their nests hungry and return full”(Tirmidhi, Zuhd, 33/2344; Ibn Majah, Zuhd, 14). When it comes to submission, this has the meaning of acquiescence and acceptance of whatever events befall one without objection and thus arriving at peace. Submission is an act of the heart, and it is to be free of any doubts that arise in matters that have come from Allah. It is to be free of carnal desires that are contrary to divine commands, desires that are not compatible with sincerity, and the curse of resisting divine decree and Islamic law. It is stated in a verse from the Qur’an: ‘No, by your Lord, they are not believers until they make you their judge in the disputes that break out between them, and then find no resistance within themselves to what you decide and submit themselves completely.’(An Nisa, 4:65).All prophets put their trust in God.The same duaa was said by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) when a great army gathered against him and his followers. Ibn Abbas RA narrated: ‘Allah is Sufficient for us and He Is the Best Disposer of affairs,” was said by Abraham when he was thrown into the fire; and it was said by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) when they (i.e. hypocrites) said, “A great army is gathering against you, therefore, fear them,” but it only increased their faith and they said: “Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer (of affairs, for us).” (Al-Bukhari).We read in the story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) that he said “I have relied upon Allah.” And recite to them the news of Noah, when he said to his people, “O my people, if my residence and my reminding of the signs of Allah has become burdensome upon you – then I have relied upon Allah. So resolve upon your plan and [call upon] your associates. Then let not your plan be obscure to you. Then carry it out upon me and do not give me respite. (Yunus 10:71). The verse means: “If you find that is it too much of an offense that I should live among you and preach to you the revelation of Allah and His signs and proofs, then I do not care what you think, and I will not stop inviting you. Get together with all of your deities that you call upon beside Allah. And do not be confused about this; rather come and let us settle this together if you claim that you are truthful. Do not give me respite even for one hour. Whatever you can do, go ahead and do it. I do not care and I do not fear because you are not standing on anything.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, vol. 11, p. 643-4). In the story of Prophet Jacob that when he had no choice but to send his son, Binyamin, with his brothers to bring necessary food supplies for their survival, he said: [Jacob] said, “Never will I send him with you until you give me a promise by Allah that you will bring him [back] to me, unless you should be surrounded by enemies.” And when they had given their promise, he said, ” Allah, over what we say, is Witness. And he said, “O my sons, do not enter from one gate but enter from different gates; and I cannot avail you against [the decree of] Allah at all. The decision is only for Allah; upon Him I have relied, and upon Him let those who would rely [indeed] rely.” (Yusuf 12:66:67).In the story of Prophet Moses read that he encouraged his people to put their trust in Allah. Allah says: And Moses said, “O my people, if you have believed in Allah, then rely upon Him, if you should be Muslims.” So, they said, “Upon Allah do we rely. Our Lord, make us not [objects of] trial for the wrongdoing people And save us by Your mercy from the disbelieving people.” (Yunus 10:84-86). In the conversation between Prophet Hus and the People of `Ad, we read the following: Indeed, I have relied upon Allah, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature but that He holds its forelock. Indeed, my Lord is on a path [that is] straight.” (Hud 11:56). Ibn Kathir says: Every creature is under Allah’s power and His authority. He is the best Judge, the Most Just, Who does not do any injustice in His Ruling. For verily, He is upon the straight path. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, vol. 12, p. 75.). Prophet Shuayb said to his people: He said, “O my people, have you considered: if I am upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has provided me with a good provision from Him…? And I do not intend to differ from you in that which I have forbidden you; I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allah. Upon him I have relied, and to Him I return. (Hud 11:88). Ibn Kathir said: “Do you see O my people, that if I have a clear guidance in that which I am calling to. It has been said that he meant the prophethood. It has been also said that he meant the lawful provisions. I do not forbid you from something and at the same time I contradict my prohibitions in secret behind your backs, doing what I have forbidden.In that which I command and forbid you, I only want to correct your affair as much as I am able. And my guidance cannot come except from Allah in Him I out my trust in all of my affairs.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, vol. 12, pp. 99-100).
“Submission to Allah in a perfect sense, and reliance upon and obedience to Him is dependent upon whether one possesses a heart filled with the pleasure of faith. It is only with such love and the resulting raising in rank of the heart that the human being can turn to his Lord with his entire being and free his heart of attachment to the world and what is in it. The submission of the servant to Allah is proportional to his knowledge of and his faith in Him”.
The most important thing that makes us Muslims, and differentiates us from non-Muslims, is our belief in the oneness of Allah (SWT). It is our declaration that none has the right to be worshipped except Him. How then does a believer demonstrate this belief without tawakkul – reliance on the Creator. From the story of Prophet Ibraheem (AS), we see a man who unreservedly relied on his Lord. we see a man who does not depend on his own ability, or logic or other humans to solve his own problems. When Allah (SWT) asked him to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ibraheem did not hesitate, and neither did his son. Because they both had a firm belief that the wisdom of Allah (SWT) is beyond what we humans can comprehend. And that whatever Allah (SWT) has decreed upon His servant is best for him. When he was going to attempt to slaughter his son, he didn’t know that Allah (SWT) will ask him to stop, but he went ahead anyway. At the end of the day, he didn’t have to kill his child. This is a lesson for us that if we have declared our belief in Allah (SWT), we should rely our hearts on Him. We should always remind ourselves that whatever our Creator has decreed for us is best and that when He commands something of us, only Him knows the wisdom behind it. The One with Tawakkul is Protected by Allah (SWT). Ibraheem (AS) left his wife and son in the middle of a desert. A sea of sand with no human in sight. But he went ahead to fulfill Allah’s command and left them in His care. His wife, demonstrating the same level of tawakkul, understood his need to leave them behind. “When Abraham had differences with his wife), (because of her jealousy of Hajar, Ishmael’s mother), he took Ishmael and his mother and went away. They had a water-skin with them containing some water, Ishmael’s mother used to drink water from the water-skin so that her milk would increase for her child. When Abraham reached Mecca, he made her sit under a tree and afterwards returned home. Ishmael’s mother followed him, and when they reached Kada’, she called him from behind, ‘O Abraham! To whom are you leaving us?’ He replied, ‘(I am leaving you) to Allah’s (Care).’ She said, ‘I am satisfied to be with Allah.” (Bukhari). This is where the story of the well of Zamzam comes from. Hajara ran between both hills looking for water and by the permission of Allah (SWT), the Zamzam water came to be. That was an unexpected miracle. The average human would have expected to starve to death or die of thirsty in that kind of situation. But because Hajara affirmed her belief in Allah (SWT) as their provider when her husband was leaving, she and her son were rewarded. Allah(SWT) took care of them by providing for their needs. None of us have the power to provide for ourselves. We may be smart, intelligent and get the best jobs, but we should remember that these are from our Creator. We shout also remember, especially when our situation seems so dire that we can’t think of a way out, that Allah (SWT) sees what we do not see. And that our total reliance on Him will guarantee us His protection if He wills. We shouldn’t rely on humans. Because even though other humans may be a means to our dua getting answered, they are not the source of whatever we get. They are only being used by Allah (SWT). “Praise to Allah, who has granted to me in old age Ishmael and Isaac. Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of supplication” (Quran 14:39). It took Prophet Ibraheem (AS) a long time to have a child. All the time he waited, he asked Allah (SWT) for an offspring but continued to call to Islamic monotheism, and he continued to challenge those who worshiped idols. He didn’t wallow in self-pity. He didn’t think that not having a child was a sign of not being loved by Allah (SWT). He still continued fulfilling his purpose in life.When we as Muslims want to demonstrate our tawakkul in Allah (SWT), we have to remember that it should come with a beautiful patience. Our reliance on Allah (SWT) should bring us a peace that shows that we have deferred our matter to the only One who can discharge our affairs. Many of the Prophets and Messengers of Allah (SWT) have stories of enviable reliance on their Creator. From Prophets Nuh to Ibraheem, Musa, Yusuf, Yaqub, Luqman, Isa (AS) and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) , we see stories of people who heard and obeyed Allah (SWT)without question. People who, even when they couldn’t tell what will be on the other side of their journey, still kept going because they believed in Allah (SWT). In short, peace of heart in this world and attaining to eternal happiness in the hereafter is only possible when one perceives divine greatness and relies and submits to it, and is content with what Allah has allotted for them. Hearts that obey Allah, submit to Him and are pleased with Him become a source of wisdom, goodness and prosperity. Submission to Allah in a perfect sense, and reliance upon and obedience to Him is dependent upon whether one possesses a heart filled with the pleasure of faith. It is only with such love and the resulting raising in rank of the heart that the human being can turn to his Lord with his entire being and free his heart of attachment to the world and what is in it. The submission of the servant to Allah is proportional to his knowledge of and his faith in Him. In terms of being the essence of servant hood, submission is the most important inclination of the heart to Allah. This inclination begins with faith, and continues to increase as knowledge of Allah increases. Rumi explains the mystery of attaining to the degree of ‘fana fillah’ (annihilation or losing oneself in Allah) as lying in absolute submission: “Seawater carries upon it the head of the dead body who has completely submitted itself to it. How can the one who is alive and has the slightest doubts free itself from the sea? In the same way through the mystery of ‘die before you die’, if you die having freed yourself of your human attributes, the ocean of mysteries will lift you up and carry you”.
(The authors write regularly on Islamic topics exclusively for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon”. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
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