Quran Reflection -- Tawfiq (Success) and Shukr (Gratitude)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

Tawfiq is success or the ability to attain what truly benefits you in this life and the next. Tawfiq is precious and rare as it is not mentioned in the Quran except once. As mentioned in the Quran, Prophet Shu'aib (alayhissalaam) said,

إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا ٱلْإِصْلَـٰحَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُ ۚ وَمَا تَوْفِيقِىٓ إِلَّا بِٱللَّـهِ ۚ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ ﴿٨٨

I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allah. In Him alone I have placed my trust and to Him alone I turn in humbleness. [Quran, Hud 11:88]

The best of guidance is when Allah grants you tawfiq. When Allah gives you tawfiq, your affairs are gathered together and you are able to achieve your goals. However, it is extremely important that you take the first step and put in your best effort.

If Allah wants to give you success, He will move others to help you. So be grateful to them.

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَنْ لَمْ يَشْكُرِ النَّاسَ لَمْ يَشْكُرِ اللَّهَ ‏"‏

Abu Sa'eed narrated that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said :

"Whoever is not grateful to the people, he is not grateful to Allah."

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌ ﴿٧

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.' " [Quran, Ibrahim 14:7]

May Allah grant us success to the highest station. Aameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam