The Quality of Tawakul (Trust in Allah)

22nd June 2008

Allah (swt): “…And whoever puts his trust in Allah(swt), then he will suffice him…” (3:65)

Umar Ibn Al Khattab(ra) relates that he heard RasulAllah (saw) say: “If you have trust on Allah(swt) to the extent he has a right of being trusted, then Allah(swt) will provide you sustenance just as he provides the birds, they leave their nests hungry in the morning and return with a full stomach in the evening” (Tirnidi, Ibn Majah)

Shaykh ul-Islam ibn Taymiyah (rah) says the most valuable quality to aim for is to have trust in Allah (swt), reliance upon him of his sufficiency and keeping a good opinion of him, the latter being that if anyone is anxious regarding their sustenance then he should turn to the shelter of Allah(swt), as he (swt) has said, from what is narrated by his Prophet (saw):

“O my servants, all of you are hungry except for those I have fed, so seek food of me and I shall feed you.
O my servants all of you are naked except for those I have clothed, so seek clothing of me and I shall clothe you”(Muslim)

In this regard there is also a hadith which Imam Tirmidi relates from Anas(ra) who said, RasulAllah(saw) said:

“Each of you should ask for his needs from Allah, even if the strap of your sandal breaks, because if Allah(swt) does not facilitate it, it will never be possible”

Allah(swt) says: “…But ask Allah for his bounty…” (4:32)

The Prophet (saw) instructed the person entering the Masjid to say:

“Allahumaftah lee abwaaba rahmatik” “O Allah! Open the doors of your mercy for me”

And when leaving the Masjid to say:
“Allahuma ini as’aluka min fadlik” “O Allah! I ask of you some of your bounty” (Sahih Muslim)

Ibraheem (as) had said: “…then seek sustenance from Allah(swt), serve him, and be grateful to Him.” (29:17)
This is a command and a command signifies obligation. Therefore, to seek help from Allah and to entrust him in the matter of livelihood and others is a fundamental principle. Furthermore, it is important in seeking a livelihood that one should acquire wealth with generosity of heart and not with greed so that he may be blessed in it. Neither should he make the wealth the primary aim; rather, he should regard wealth as much as he regards the toilet, which he has a need of, but it has no place in his heart and he only resorts to it when necessary.

A hadith which is related by Imam Tirmidi and others states that:

“He who begins the morning with this world as his greatest concern, Allah(swt) disperses his collected gains and puts its loss in front of him, and only that of the world comes to him which is written for him. And he who begins the morning with the Hereafter as his greatest concern, Allah(swt) gathers for him his works and creates richness in his heart due to them, and the world comes to him subserviently”

One of the pious predecessors said:
“Each of you is in need of the world, but you are in more need of your portion in the Hereafter. Therefore, if you are in search of your portion in the Hereafter first and foremost, then you will achieve your portion of the world in passing, such that it is taken care of as it comes.”

After trusting on Allah(swt) we need to also be pleased with what Allah(swt) has ordained for us, whether we see it as good or bad. We should realise all that we experience is from Allah(swt) and is for our best in all situations, we should exercise both shukr and sabr with respect to our condition, whatever that may be.
May Allah(swt) instill in us the true quality of trusting upon Allah(swt) to the extent as is due. Aameen


Mufti Yusuf Danka