The meaning of tawakkul is expressed by the term taukeel (to make or appoint a wakeel or a counsellor, agent, representative). When one lacks the understanding and ability for something then another is appointed to execute the task. Such an appointment of an agent to act on one’s behalf is the meaning of taukeel. Tawakkul is to repose your trust…to have resolute trust and reliance on Allah. Reliance on Allah was the manner of all the prophets: Allah says:
يَا بَنِي آدَمَ إِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَقُصُّونَ عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِي فَمَنِ اتَّقَىٰ وَأَصْلَحَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
“O Children (of) Adam! If come to you Messengers from you relating to you My Verses, then whoever consciously reveres Allah and reforms, no fear on them and not they will grieve.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:35)
Tawakkul is the “trust and reliance on Allah” that is accepting the results that He decides regardless of how they may turn out to be. We may face challenges and difficult situations in our life but we have to face them strongly while believing in Allah Almighty that is the concept of Tawakkul. Tawakkul is our belief and the attitude that we have about putting trust in Allah to take care of all affairs of our life. In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says:
هَٰذَا بَيَانٌ لِّلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَمَوْعِظَةٌ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
“This (is) a declaration for the people and guidance and admonition for the God-fearing.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:138)
What is Tawakul?
The word tawakkul is from a root word (wk-l) that means to give oneself over to something. With “Tawakkul”, it means to give ourselves over in total reliance on Allah (SWT). This is a bit different from the concept of submission as we know it in Islam. Tawakkul has to do with placing your absolute trust in Allah over all your affairs, not just about submitting to Him in worship.
There are benefits of Tawakkul some of them we will discuss below:
- Tawakkul makes us not only humbler but more submissive
- Tawakkul attribute everything to the Pleasure of Allah
- Tawakkul indicate that Allah’s wish is an occurrence
- Tawakkul greater the chances that we try to please
- Tawakkul will be going to be an end by His Mercy
- Tawakkul indicate that Allah cannot be opposed
- Tawakkul means all things are in Allah’s hands
- Tawakkul invites us to a powerful association
- Tawakkul Allah must be strong and rely upon
- Tawakkul refers to putting your trust in Allah
- Tawakkul turn lead to goodness in this world
- Tawakkul on Allah relying on loss or success
- Tawakkul indicate that Allah’s occurrence
- Tawakkul connect to a powerful associate
- Tawakkul attribute everything to the Will
- Allah listens to you and your prayers
- Allah’s plans are superior depending on Him
- Allah wants His people to ask for forgiveness
- Allah has spoken about being tested in the Quran
- Anxiety is defined as a subjective feeling of tension
It can sometimes be difficult to put your trust solely in Allah (SWT) because we humans are addicted to instant gratification. We pray salatul Istikhara today and we start to watch out for obvious signs from Allah (SWT) giving us guidance over what is unclear to us. Or even when we know that all matters in our lives have been decreed by Allah (SWT), we continue to chase after things that may not be ours, wanting them at all costs. Allah says:
قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَا إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلَانَا وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Say, “Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector.” And upon Allah let the believers rely on.” (Surah Aat-Taubah 9:51)
Allah Alone is the owner and controller of all affairs everywhere. So just as you single Him out for worship, you should also single Him out for reliance and take Him as your guardian and trustee. Believers obey Allah and then trust in Him as the best manager of their affairs. Allah is sufficient to protect and manage the affairs of His servants. True believers have faith and then rely on Allah. Allah says:
وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا
“And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever places his trust in Allah, Sufficient is He for him, for Allah will surely accomplish His Purpose: For verily, Allah has appointed for all things a due proportion.” (Surah At-Talaq, 65:3)
The second pillar is to believe that every matter has a cause or a means. Some people give up utilizing these means due to their ignorance and think that this is the reliance on Allah (SWT). They wait for Allah (SWT) to send down their provisions, feed them and take care of their concerns and affairs while they do nothing. In Arabic, this is called “tawakkul” (تواكل); the difference may be on letter, but it is significant enough; we should not be complacent or stagnant; we should do everything available to us to reach our goals.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran about Tawakkul:
- “And rely upon the Ever-Living who does not die.” (Quran, 25:58)
- “And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah.” (Quran, 3:159)
- “He will provide him from where he does not expect.” (Quran, 65:3)
- “And sufficient is Allah as a wakeel (disposer of affairs).” (Quran, 33:48)
- “And whoever relies upon Allah – He will be sufficient for him.” (Quran, 65:3)
- “On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear.” (Quran 2: 286)
- “Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best wakeel (disposer of affairs).” (Quran, 3:173)
- “He is the Lord of the East and the West; there is no deity except Him, so take Him as a wakeel (disposer of affairs).” (Quran, 73:9)
- “And put your trust and reliance in Allah, and sufficient is Allah as a Trustee.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33: 3)
The first is to know Allah (SWT) by his qualities and attributes, such as the fact that he is all capable and sufficient to rely on; that he is the sustainer; that he is all-knowing and that things can only happen with his will and decree. Knowing all this achieves the first pillar. The more we know about Allah (SWT) the more sound and firm is our reliance on him. Allah says:
وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لَا يَمُوتُ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِهِ وَكَفَىٰ بِهِ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِ خَبِيرًا
“And put your trust in the Ever-Living, the One Who does not die, and glorify with His Praise. And sufficient is He regarding the sins (of) His slaves, All-Aware.” (Surah Al-Furqan 25:58)
The third pillar is to remain firm in relying on Allah alone. A person’s reliance on Allah cannot be fulfilled until one relies on him alone. Relying on Allah Almighty can impart satisfaction and peace in a person. Muslims should never become disheartened and discouraged in difficult situations. Repose to all your trust in Allah (SWT). Let’s seek to understand the concept of Tawakkul and to make it part of our belief systems. Allah says:
يَمْحُو اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيُثْبِتُ ۖ وَعِندَهُ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ
“Allah eliminates or confirms what He wills, and with Him is the foundation of the Book.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:39)
The one who entrusts Allah (SWT) does so in the certainty that what Allah (SWT) decrees is best for them, even if it is the opposite of what they believe to be good. Such a person is content with the decrees of Allah as they know whatever is decreed is best for them, whether the benefit is apparent or not. Allah says:
إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلـى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَ عَلـى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
“Surely he has no authority over those who believe and rely on their Lord.” (Suratul Nahl (16), Verse 99)
Relying on Allah (SWT) can instil an enormous amount of peace and contentment. But remember Allah helps whom he wills, so ask him for help often, do your best with patience and certainty and remember the other condition: be conscious of Allah.
