Tawwakul: Absolute trust in Allah (SWT)

In this article the issue of "Tawwakul" is addressed, because it is a fundamental part of the Islamic Aqeedah. Tawwakul is translated here as either trust or dependence. Putting our trust in Allah (SWT) is a matter of belief and contributes to our view regarding this life. To make this point clear, some of the ayahs are quoted as below:

Allah (SWT) says in Surah Al-Imran:160 "If Allah helps you, none can overcome you: If He forsakes you, who is there after that, that can help you ? In Allah, then, let Believers put their trust."

In Surah At-Tauba: 51, Allah (SWT) says "Say: 'Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our protector': And on Allah let the Believers put their trust."

In Surah Ash-Shu'araa:217 Allah (SWT) says "And put thy trust on the exalted in Might, The Merciful."

In Surah Al-Imran:159, Allah (SWT) says"...Then, when thou hast taken a decision, put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)."

All of the above ayahs order Muslims to wholly and exclusively rely on Allah (SWT) in their lives. It is only Allah who controls this universe, and both good and bad are His decree. The significant element that should always be kept in mind, is the omnipotence of Allah (SWT). Therefore our actions and the material resources available to us do not guarantee the outcome of any of our undertakings. For example our material and physical strength may deceive us into believing that victory in a battle field is inevitable. The truth is that our strength or weakness has no bearing on the outcome of the battle, and it is only by the will of Allah (SWT) that we become victorious or get defeated by the enemy. It was this firm belief that led a handful of Muslims during and after the time of prophet Muhammad (SAAW) to fight so valiantly against a formidable enemy over and over again.

One may ask, why then do we strive to accomplish any task if we cannot influence its outcome ? The answer is rather simple. The actions that we take fall into three categories: They are either obligated upon us by Allah (SWT), recommended by Him or we are simply allowed to do them. The obligatory actions are taken because Allah (SWT) has ordered them as compulsory. The recommended actions are taken to be rewarded in addition to the rewards we get upon accomplishing the fard. In both of these cases we seek to please Allah (SWT). Actions falling under the third category are taken to achieve certain objectives we anticipate to fulfill. However the certainty of accomplishing those objectives is not under our control. Therefore the cause of initiating any action is not whether we control its outcome. It is the anticipated goal we aim to achieve.

This brings us to an important misconception among the Muslims, where some of them associate "effort" with having trust in Allah (SWT). For example, it is a popular notion that earning provides rizq, and tawwakul in Allah (SWT) should come after one has made a sincere effort to earn a living. Some of the Muslims who hold such a view often present the following Hadith in their defense:

A man came to the prophet Muhammad (SAAW) and said "I will not tie my camel and trust Allah", the prophet Muhammad (SAAW) said " tie it and trust Allah."

This Hadith does not indicate any pre-requisite for trusting Allah (SWT). It does not, therefore suggest that somehow there is a link between tying the camel (an action ) and putting one's trust in Allah (SWT). However the Hadith conveys an important lesson to all of us: that while trust in Allah (SWT) is absolute being independent of what we do, it is our responsibility to act on what we intend to accomplish. In this case tying the camel was a right thing to do, if the person feared that the camel would run away. Therefore he should have taken the precaution regardless of his trust in Allah (SWT). Tying the camel does not take away from his trust in Allah (SWT), nor does it become a requirement for trusting Allah (SWT). Regardless of how he had acted the outcome would remain in accordance with the will of Allah (SWT). This understanding is in accordance with the above verses of the Quran, where the concept of absolute trust in Allah (SWT) is emphatically reiterated.

Hence tawwakul in Allah (SWT) is not in any way related to our actions, and is a belief that we are ordered to believe in by Allah (SWT) irrespective of our efforts and the circumstances surrounding us. This belief should help us live this life according to the commands of Allah (SWT), even if we face hardships in doing so. Disappointment, hopelessness should not daunt us, because we have put our trust in Allah (SWT), our Creator and the only Sustainer. Many Muslims indulge in prohibited actions arguing that it is the only alternative, otherwise they would face disastrous consequences. A vivid example is giving riba when buying a house on mortgage. They regard owning a house as a necessity and are willing to sacrifice Islam in doing so. They fail to realize that it is only Allah (SWT) who provides security for them and their offsprings and they need only to put their absolute trust in Him. Unfortunately the materialistic thought that we have acquired from the Kuffar, who depend on material gains for their very survival, has drastically influenced our view towards this life as well...we take pride in our wealth and what we do, and have displaced the trust in Allah (SWT) by relying solely on material possessions. May Allah (SWT) restore our trust in Him, for only then can we truly succeed.

Ar-Raya Magazine