Trust in Allah
On our journey towards Allah, there are certain goals, which deserve a complete striving for. One such goal is the desire to attain and be granted true and firm trust (Tawakkul) in Allah ﷻ.
We are instructed in the Noble Qur’an to place our trust in Allah ﷻ if we are true believers (Qur’an 14: 11). Of the benefits of Tawakkul, is the incentive that Allah ﷻ loves those who place their trust in Him (Qur’an 3:159). What’s more, the Qur’an mentions that those who put their trust in Allah ﷻ will certainly find HIM sufficient (Qur’an 65:3) for all their needs.
It should be noted that those who strive for Tawakkul do not abandon effort. A correct understanding of Tawakkul will actually lead us to recognise that there is a balance between action and trust in Allah ﷻ, as the Qur’an also explains that man attains only that [good] for which he strives (Qur’an 53:39).
While the believer is encouraged to seek guidance in decision making from Allah ﷻ, it is once a firm intention has been made and a decision has been taken, that the call for Tawakkul is made (Qur’an 3:159).
Tawakkul is thus not a passive state, but rather involves belief, action, and also dependence.
While we would all love to believe that we depend on Allah ﷻ for everything, in terms of our worldly affairs, as well as our Deen, and that we place full reliance on Him, the reality is that we sometimes unknowingly place our trust on other hidden ideas as well.
How many times have we told ourselves that we are not quite ready to tackle our goals? That we will leave off a bad habit only once circumstances are correct? When the time is right, or after the baby has been born, or when we get married or after Hajj? How many times have we delayed choosing a better habit because we seem to think that now is just not the right time?
Believing that we need the perfect circumstances to make a change actually means that we are relying upon and depending on ideal conditions to be successful.
Qur’anic Examples
The Qur’an provides the perfect example to combat this false notion that an ideal environment is a requirement for success. At the close of Surah at-Tahrim, Allah ﷻ sets the example of two highly successful women in the eyes of Allah. One is Aasiyah the wife of Fir’own, and the other Maryam the daughter of Imran.
While Maryam was placed in a nurturing environment that promoted the development of her faith, the Qur’an also contrasts her mention with Aasiyah who found herself in circumstances quite the opposite. Aasiyah not only shared a life with but was expected to obey the authority of her oppressive husband, known to be one of the fiercest of the enemies of Allah.
Can one imagine the outcome should Aasiyah have waited to build her connection with Allah once her husband changed his mind? Or if she had waited for the ideal conditions and delayed her faith till Musa and Haron were welcomed in the palace in which she lived?
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Despite the circumstances, Aasiyah found herself in, her reliance on Allah ﷻ allowed her to discover ways of purifying her faith, building her courage and seeing that Allah truly grants success, if we rely on Him. With her life as an example, Aasiyah defied every excuse we may ever offer for not taking care of our connection with Allah if that excuse is related in any way to our circumstances.
Life in this world is generally found somewhere between the two extremes of circumstances depicted in Surah at-Tahrim. Somewhere between nurturing and oppressive, and often a combination of both. What the Qur’anic examples undeniably demonstrate is that to credit one’s environment for one’s faith (or lack thereof) is a grave mistake that none of us can truly afford to make.
Without having our circumstances to blame, we are directed to look nowhere else but ourselves. Being honest when examining our motives, intentions, goals, and understanding, may often reveal that our perception of Allah’s generosity has been poorly underestimated, or our trust in Him has been mixed with trust in other things.
We thus direct ourselves to Allah ﷻ, understanding that forgiveness, guidance, acceptance, success, and Tawakkul comes only from Him. We seek Tawakkul from Him first and foremost and then direct our hopes in Allah ﷻ to purify us from all obstacles that stand in the way of a true reliance on Him.
Reliance on Allah
May we be guided to adopt the habit of keeping our hearts busy with athkaar such as…
حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ
Allah is sufficient for me; there is none worthy of worship except Him.
On Him, I have relied, and He is the lord of the Great Throne. (Qur’an 9:129)
…that serves to remind us of the truth, with the desire of living this truth on our limbs Amīn.
