In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Tawakkul means putting trust in Allah while also implementing the means that have been permitted. Scholars have made an important distinction between tawakkul (توكل) and tawaakul (تواكل). Tawakkul is the believer's trust and acceptance of the Divine Will, which no one knows, understands or controls except Allah.
Tawaakul, on the other hand, comprises elements of laziness, inability, a resigned, careless attitude. It indicates refusal to strive in accordance with the laws and ways (sunnah) which Allah has laid down for humankind. Those who misunderstand it wait for a miracle to 'drop from the sky' without striving towards it in any way. Such people expect Allah to send down their provisions, feed them and take care of their affairs and concerns while they do nothing.
The negative attitude of tawaakul contradicts every aspect of the life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and his Companions (radhiAllahu anhum) – their jihad, the efforts they expended in accordance with natural laws, their planning and their way of thinking. For example, when migrating to Madinah, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) took all the precautions that were humanly possible. He planned the journey secretly, leaving when least expected, telling ‘Ali to sleep in his bed, selecting a hiding place, arranging for provisions, arranging for a faithful guide, etc. However, once he had done whatever was humanly possible, he had such trust in Allah that he was never worried about the consequences.
It was reported that when a Bedouin who had confused tawakkul for tawaakul came to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and asked about the matter, he (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) explained that it was to take the appropriate action and trust in Allah. He asked, “Should I tie my camel and have tawakkul (trust in Allah for her protection), or should I leave her untied and have tawakkul?” The Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied, “Tie her and have tawakkul.” [Narrated by at-Tirmidhi from Anas bin Mālik] Although the scholars have stated that this hadith is weak, its meaning is correct as both the Qur'an and Sunnah advocate the application of appropriate means along with reliance on Allah.
The following hadith is significant, and is most quoted to explain the concept of tawakkul:
‘Umar bin al-Khattāb (radhiAllahu anhu) heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) saying, “If you trusted Allah with due tawakkul, He would provide you sustenance as He provides for the birds; they go out in the morning with empty stomachs and come back in the evening with full stomachs.” [Narrated by at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mājah - Saheeh]
A bird sitting in its nest and praising Allah will not have its stomach filled. It has to go out and work hard to find food from morning to evening. One who goes out and expends effort while knowing that Allah provides will obtain what he desires.
In our daily life, in the case of quenching our thirst, for example, we don’t just wait for it to be quenched, we drink water as a means and recognize that Allah quenches our thirst not the water.
Obedience is the key to tawakkul. The praiseworthy are those who have actualized [Allah's words], "It is You (alone) we worship, and You (alone) we ask for help" and "So worship Him and rely upon Him." They sought assistance from Him by obeying Him, confirming that He is their Lord and that He must be worshiped alone through obedience to Him and to His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). [Majmooʽ al-Fataawa, vol. 10, p. 32]
When we understand the meaning of "at-tawakkul ‘alaAllah", we can discern that it is an important branch of faith and a form of ʽibādah (worship). Practicing it produces strength, patience, forbearance, determination, contentment, happiness and an acceptance of His Will and Decree. It keeps worry, distress, disappointment and depression at a minimum. And it gives the believer renewed energy to take account of himself and lead a life of obedience, to exert effort, to repent from sins and to contemplate the power and majesty of the Lord he worships, depends upon and trusts.
This concept, when not understood properly can either lead to laziness in the form of tawaakul, or trap one in a delusion of self-sufficiency, leading him to the erroneous conclusion that whatever he achieves is by his own effort or merit. Thus, a kind of arrogance and pride takes root in the heart.
It should be remembered that we can be tried not only with hardships, but also by being given extensive wealth (money, possessions, children, knowledge, fame, status, etc) and resources.
A valuable instruction is given in Surah al-Kahf, which is that when we are pleased with an accomplishment or material possession, we should say, ماشاء الله لاقوة إلا بالله "What Allah willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allah." [Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:39].
Each one of us is totally dependent upon Allah at every moment, and no one can achieve anything by his own efforts and abilities unless He wills it.
The delusion of self-sufficiency needs to be uprooted from our minds and hearts. It is that false sense of self-worth, constantly evaluated by worldly standards, and craving for approval which weakens the heart's striving to connect with Allah, cling to Him, beseech Him and implore Him to enrich us from Himself with a richness that no one can steal or harm through envy– the richness of a clear perception and understanding that everything belongs to Him, to be given at will to whomever He wills and to be taken at will.
So we must trust and rely on Allah. But this requires that we free our minds to do Allah’s will, to obey Him and to make our choices in all of life’s decisions within the framework of Islam, by means of du’a, istikharah and the counsel of sincere believing friends. Along with the permissible physical means, these are the spiritual means available to us to accomplish what is required.
Success in this world means to survive, manage and live within the limits set by Allah. But true success is in obtaining His approval, and that will be fully manifested in the next life.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
The fruit of tawakkul is contentment with Allah’s decree. Whoever leaves his affairs to Allah and then is accepting of what he is given has truly relied on Allah.
حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ[Qur'an, At-Tawbah 9:129]
Sufficient for me is Allah; there is no deity except Him. On Him I have relied, and He is the lord of the Great Throne.
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:10]
Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.
Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.
Wassalaam
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