Tawakkul ala Allah (Reliance on Allah)

Every human being faces two things in the life of the world till death. One is happiness and the other is sadness. And neither of these two things is permanent in this world. Verily, Allah Ta’ala has placed happiness and sorrow in the life of every servant to test them. In people’s life, happiness will be followed by sadness and sadness will be followed by happiness. And so it will continue until death. Surely, Allah Ta’ala has made a way for every person to attain eternal happiness in the Hereafter and to control himself during times of sorrow in this life. And that is Tawakkul ala Allah (Reliance on Allah). It greatly motivates every believer to be grateful to Allah in times of happiness and patient in times of sorrow.

So I will present to you Tawakkul ala Allah (Reliance on Allah) and several things related to it that will help you to know many important things. And I will not neglect to mention reliable references for each topic, Insha Allah. So let’s first know what Tawakkul ala Allah (Reliance on Allah) is.

What is Tawakkul ala Allah (Reliance on Allah)?

In this context, Ali ibn Muhammad Jurjani Al-Sayyid Al-Sharif (Rh) said that Reliance on Allah is to rely on what is with Allah and to be disappointed in what is in the hands of people. [Al-Tarifat, page 70]

Abu Bakr bin Abu Al Dunya (Rh) mentioned in his book that,

“And a group of scholars said that its definition is to rely on Allah Ta’ala, have firm faith that Allah’s decision is implemented, follow the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) in trying to obtain the necessities of food and drink, and to beware of the enemy as the Prophets (peace be upon them all) did.” [Kitab Al Tawakkul Ala Allah, page 20]

And resorting to the means to obtain the necessary things and the help and grace of Allah is not contrary to Tawakkul ala Allah (Reliance on Allah). Because a person asked Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) that, O Messenger of Allah! Shall I tie it (i.e., my camel) and rely (upon Allah), or leave it loose and rely (upon Allah)?” He (peace be upon him) said: “Tie it and rely (upon Allah).” [Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2517]

But after resorting to means, relying on it is the opposite of Tawakkul ala Allah (Reliance on Allah). Because the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and His Companions (RA) did not put their trust in means after resorting to it, rather they put their trust in Allah. And Allah Ta’ala said: “If Allah helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allah (Alone) let believers put their trust.” [Surah Ali ‘Imran, verse 160]

What did Quran say about Tawakkul ala Allah (Reliance on Allah)?

Allah Ta’ala has said many things about Reliance on Him. Some of Allah’s words about Tawakkul are

“The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Qur’an) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith (Iman); and they put their trust in their Lord (Allah).” [Surah Al-Anfal, verse 2]

“Say: Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has written for us. He is our Maula (Lord, Helper, and Protector). And in Allah let the believers put their trust.”  [Surah Al-Tawbah, verse 51]

“And to Allah belongs the Ghaib (Unseen) of the heavens and the earth, and to Him return all affairs (for decision). So worship Him and put your trust in Him. And your Lord is not unaware of what you (people) do.” [Surah Hud, verse 123]

“Why should we not put our trust in Allah while He indeed has guided us our ways? And we shall certainly bear with patience all the hurt you may cause us, and in Allah (Alone) let those who trust, put their trust.” [Surah Ibrahim, verse 12]

“And obey not the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and harm them not (in revenge for their harming you till you are ordered). Put your trust in Allah, and Sufficient is Allah as a Wakil (Trustee, or Disposer of affairs).” [Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 48]

What did Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) say about Tawakkul ala Allah (Reliance on Allah)? 

Of course, Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) has said many things about Reliance on Allah. He strongly has inspired us to rely on Allah in all situations and He clearly has forbidden us to disappoint from Allah’s help, mercy and favor. Some of His words are:

‘Umar (RA) said, I heard Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: “If you all depend on Allah with due reliance, He would certainly give you provision as He gives it to birds who go forth hungry in the morning and return with a full belly at dusk.” [Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2344]

Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah (RA), I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say three days before his death: “No one of you will die but he should keep a good concept in Allah (at the time of his own death).” [Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith No. 3113]

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying: “A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer and there is good in everyone. Be greedy (Be highly interested) in which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don’t say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah had determined and He did that what He wanted to do. Verily, ‘if’ (this word) opens the work of Satan.” [Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2664]

And

Narrated Abu Huraira (RA): Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “No doubt, it is better for any one of you to cut a bundle of wood and carry it over his back rather than to ask someone. So may he give him or may not give him.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2074]

Narrated Jabir (RA): Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “verily if the children of Adam run away from his provision as he runs away from the death, then definitely his provision will reach out him like the death reach him out.” [Sahih Al Jami’, Hadith No. 5240]

What are the benefits of Tawakkul?

There are many benefits of Tawakkul ala Allah (Reliance on Allah). Some of them are:

(1) Allah has promised Paradise for those who try to be patient, trust in Allah, and die as believers. In this regard, Allah Ta’ala said: 

“And those who believe and do righteous good deeds, to them I shall surely give lofty dwellings in Paradise, underneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever. Excellent is the reward for the workers. Those who are patient, and put their trust (only) in their Lord (Allah).” [Surah Al-Ankabut, verses 58 – 59]

(2) Those who always trust in Allah, He removes their worries and gives them peace of mind. Verily, Allah Ta’ala said:

“No calamity befalls except with Allah’s permission. Whoever believes in Allah, He (Allah) guides his heart. And Allah is All-Knowing of everything.” [Surah Al-Taghabun, verse 11]

(3) Allah loves those who put their trust in Him alone in all their affairs and do not care about anything else. And Allah Ta’ala said:

“Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah (put not trust in the decision), certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).” [Surah Ali ‘Imran, some part of verse 159]

And

(4) Trust in Allah removes fear from people’s hearts. In this context, Allah Ta’ala said:

“Those (i.e. believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites) said, ‘Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them.’ But it (only) increased them in Faith (Iman), and they (i.e. believers) said: Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).” [Surah Ali ‘Imran, verse 173]

(5) Those who put their trust in only Allah, He suffices them and He makes them self-reliant.  Of course, Allah Ta’ala said:

“And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him.” [Surah At-Talaq, some part of verse 3]

(6) Trust in Allah removes from the mind all kinds of omen thoughts. In this regard, Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (RA), The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Taking omens is polytheism; taking omens is polytheism. He said it three times. Every one of us has some, but Allah removes it by trust (in Him).” [Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith No. 3910]

How to attain Tawakkul?

There are many actions that, if you implement them in your life, will increase Tawakkul ala Allah (Reliance on Allah) in your mind. So I am mentioning some actions here.

(1) Be very happy with Allah’s decision in all situations. 

(2) Continue to make Dua to Allah till you die.

(3) Consider everyone powerless except for Allah. 

(4) Keep trying to stay away from sinful activities. 

(5) Be firm in the hope to get Allah’s help and mercy. 

(6) Try to be patient in times of trouble and sorrow for the pleasure of Allah. 

(7) Be disappointed to gain what people have, and Be highly interested in what gives you benefit in the Hereafter. 

(8) Be extremely satisfied with what Allah Ta’ala has given you. 

(9) Give precedence to the commands of Allah Ta’ala over everything. 

(10) Submit all your hopes and needs only to Allah.

(11) Try to be self-reliant and make strong efforts to gain closeness to Allah.

Our Dua to Allah

May Allah grant us Tawfiq to rely on Him in all situations properly, make ourselves self-reliant, and stay away from harming and bothering others. Ameen.