Reaping from the fruits of Tawakkul

At-Tawakalu’ ala llah (Tawakkul) is the Islamic concept of placing complete reliance and trust in Allah’s plan.  Allah says in the Holy Quran: “And put your trust in Allah, and sufficient is Allah as a Wakil (Trusteer, or Disposer of Affairs). (Q33:3)

Why should We Trust in Allah?

He created the heavens and earth and everything in between and all that is in it and nothing happens without the will of Allah. Say: “Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our Maula (Lord, Helper and Protector). “And in Allah, let the believers put their trust. (Q9:51).

Benefits of putting your Trust in Alla

• It strengthens your Iman and enables us to fulfill our obligation as Muslims. A total trust in Almighty Allah increases our piety and belief. We believe that everything happens as he has ordained.  “So rely upon Allah; indeed, you are upon the clear truth”. (Q27:V79)

• It gives you inner peace and joy. It’s tawakkul that helps you to remain calm when you fail to get what you want. And also helps you rejoice humbly with thanks when you make wins.  “And Allah likes not prideful boasters”. (Q57:23).

• It makes the travails of life much easier to handle. In having sole reliance upon Allah does the mind find tranquility. “No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah”. (Q57:22)

• It strengthens your belief that sustenance comes only from Almighty Allah. Umar ibn al-Khattab reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If you were to rely upon Allah with reliance due to him, he would provide for you just as he provides for the birds. They go out in the morning with empty stomachs and return full.” Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2344

So what happens when the slave doesn’t put their Trust in Allah?

•  The one who lacks tawakkul is in constant despair and worry.  He feels as if all hope is lost when things do not go his way.  “And when We let the people taste mercy, they rejoice therein, but if evil afflicts them for what their hands have put forth, immediately they despair”. (Q30:36)

• It leads to doubtfulness and suspicion. Lack of Tawakkul leaves one in a state of suspicion about the intention of others. It makes our relationship with people difficult. Leading to negative thoughts, thinking others are responsible for your misfortunes.
• Not having tawakkul makes one proud, arrogant and boastful. “And if We give man a taste of mercy from Us and then We withdraw it from him, indeed, he is despairing and ungrateful. But if We give him a taste of favor after hardship has touched him, he will surely say, “Bad times have left me.” Indeed, he is exultant and boastful”. (Q11:9&10).
• Inadequate reliance upon Allah breathes shirk – a form of polytheism.  It is the lack of tawakkul that aids the belief or thought that someone, somewhere is capable of harming you. This then makes people seek solutions where there is none by visiting the soothsayers there by associating partners with Allah.  “If you invoke them, they do not hear your supplication; and if they heard, they would not respond to you. And on the Day of Resurrection they will deny your association. And none can inform you like [one] Acquainted [with all matters]”. (Q35:14)

How do you put your Trust and reliance in Allah?

• Through constant Dhikr and established prayers, our tawakkul is sustained. We should keep constant solah with regular recitation of the Holy Quran.  “The ones who believe and their hearts are peaceful with the remembrance of Allah. Listen, the hearts find peace only in the remembrance of Allah.” (Q13:28).
• Tawakkul is not putting your hands akimbo doing nothing. You must make effort and thrive, then hope that Allah crowns your effort with success.  It was reported that when a Bedouin came to the Prophet and asked about the matter, he explained to him that it was to take the appropriate action and then trust in Allah. He asked, “Should I tie my camel and rely upon Allah, or should I leave her untied and rely upon Allah?” The Messenger replied, “Tie her and then rely upon Allah.” [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.

• It is by believing that your supplication is already answered by Allah. So you know if Allah grants what you want, you are thankful to him and remain humble. If He denies you, you are patient and trust that is what’s best for you. This way, you blame no one for your success or failure.

• When things you don’t understand happen, you trust in Allah that he has a better plan for you. Allah will not do or make you go through anything that won’t benefit you. A lot of time, there’s beauty in adversity. It will only take tawakkul for us to see the beautiful part of a difficult situation.

Conclusion

Let’s imbibe the sunnah of making this supplication as taught by the best of mankind whenever he raises his head from rukoo while observing solah.

 Rising from ruku’, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) would add:

“Our Lord, praise is Yours, abundant, good and blessed praise, fills the heavens and the earth and what lies between them, and whatever else You please. (You Allah) are most worthy of praise and majesty, and what the slave has said – we are all Your slaves. O Allah, there is none who can withhold what You give, and none may give what You have withheld. And the might of the mighty person cannot benefit him against You.” [Muslim]

May Almighty Allah ease our affairs.