Having Tawakkal - Relying Upon Allah(swt)

Having Tawakkal - Relying Upon Allah(swt)

In life we experience many events, they may be good or bad, they may cause ease or even hardship. Each one of us has gone through are going through some life changing events.
For those who have not, then for sure one day they will, this is inevitable for it is part of the test of life.
Allah (SWT) said in the Quran,
"Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested?"
[EMQ - Al-Ankabut - 29:2]

This verse clearly explains that having belief is not an exemption from being tested. Rather, everyone of us will be tested and put into difficult situations.
The test could be in the area of belief (e.g. Shaytaan makes disbelief glamorous), from those whom we love (i.e. from parents or siblings may stop or be an obstacle in adhering to Islam), from those whom we hate (e.g. the disbelievers i.e. the occupiers of Iraq and Afghanistan), from that which we have (e.g. possessing much wealth), or for that which we desire but don't possess (e.g. being poor and unable to afford basic needs).
The test is not just the situation itself but also our reaction to the test. In the Quran Allah (SWT) explained the aim behind the test,

"And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test)".
[EMQ - Al-Ankabut - 29:3]

In this verse Allah (SWT) is telling us why He tests us, so those that are truthful are purified from the betrayers.
The aim of this short article is to discuss how to be successful and be truthful in the difficult situations we experience in life, and this is the concept of Tawakkal.
Tawakkal means to place your trust in Allah, and this absolute reliance upon Allah (SWT) must be in every situation and the result of the situation.

The first generation of Muslims (i.e. the Sahabah [RA]), understood the true spirit of Tawakkal. It was because of their purified understanding of Tawakkal that gave them confidence to do great deeds, even at the expense of losing their wealth, honour, family and even their lives.
When current day generations hear about some of the heroic feats of the first generation it seems like fantasy, unreal.

Hence today we see very few people attempting to replicate them.
One of the key differences between us and them is how we understand the concept of Tawakkal. If we look at current reality, whenever we are placed in a difficult situation, instead of turning to Allah (SWT) for support, many of us turn to our own resources to better the difficult situation.

We make the same mistakes that the people of Nûh (AS) made, instead of turning to Allah (SWT) and boarding the Ark of Nûh. They climbed the highest mountains seeking refuge in them, they thought they would be saved. The mountains were of no use and the people were destroyed. This will be the same result every time we turn to the powers and resources of man instead of turning to Allah.
If we look at the power of man, we see that his power is weak, he could not save the people of China from the earthquakes, or the Florida from the hurricanes, New Orleans from the floods, the unsinkable Titanic' from the ocean, or the Challenger' space shuttle from exploding in the heavens.


When man depends on his own powers for strength and support, he is weak and venerable. But when he depends on Allah (SWT) there are no limits to the Strength and Power of the One that supports him.
And Allah (SWT) said in the Quran,
"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".
[EMQ - Al Imran  - 3:160]

If Allah (SWT) helps us, no might nor power, no person or nation can ever overcome us. If Allah (SWT) helps us, every difficult test becomes bearable. It is in trusting (Tawakkal) is the gateway to earn the Love of Allah, because Allah (SWT) said,
"... put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)".
[EMQ - Al Imran -  3:159]

The first generation strongly believed that nothing happens except by the will of Allah, this was the secret to their success, they struggled against their families, tribes and other disbelieving nations.
And Allah (SWT) said,
"Say: "Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our Maula (Lord, Helper and Protector)." And in Allah let the believers put their trust".
[EMQ - At-Tawbah - 9:51]

In fact, throughout their companionship with the prophet of Allah, Allah (SWT) ordered the believers again and again to establish complete dependence on Allah.
Allah (SWT) tells us,
"But if they turn away, say (O Muhammad SAW): "Allah is sufficient for me. La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), in Him I put my trust and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne".
[ EMQ - At-Tawbah -  9:129]

Tawakkal is a characteristic of Iman (belief) which has been commanded by Allah(swt). It is the means of strengthening your Iman. It is knowing that no matter what happens, in the end everything will be ok, as long as you depend upon Allah to support and help to remedy the situation. One must know that everything that happens, happens because it is part of a divine plan.
There is good in every situation, even in difficult situations, although we may not see it. If a person is tested with prison, hunger, loneliness, poverty or any other hardship, there is good in it as long as we depend upon Allah (SWT) i.e. to have Tawakkal in Allah.
It is the Tawakkal in Allah that is the torch of hope amidst the darkness's of doubt, vulnerability and weakness. In fact Allah (SWT) says,
"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; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone)".
[EMQ - Al- Anfal - 8:2]

This was the case of Yusuf (AS) when he was falsely imprisoned, he had Tawakkal. Ibrâhim (AS) was thrown into the great fire, he had Tawakkal. Maryam (AS) when she went alone to give birth, she had Tawakkal. Sarah (AS), when she was barren for most part of her life, she had Tawakkal. Hajar (AS) when she was abandoned in the middle of nowhere, she had Tawakkal.
Aisha (RA), when people accused her honour, she had Tawakkal.
Like them and numerous others who have experienced incidents which are severe or difficult they did not place their trust in technology, not in wealth, no in other people, but they had complete and absolute Tawakkal in Allah.

Because of their Tawakkal in Allah, Allah covered them with mercy, love and increased their iman, and granted them victory and success in both current and afterlife.

In one hadeeth, the Messenger of Allah (SWT) taught how we should have Tawakkal, it has been reported that a man asked,
"O messenger of Allah, should I tie the camel and make Tawakkal or let it go free and make Tawakkal?" The prophet replied, "Tie it and make Tawakkal".
[Reported in Tirmidhi]

Therefore whenever we face any situation, we do as much as we can to change the situation. And Allah (SWT) said,
"Verily! Allah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves".
[EMQ - Ar-Raa’d  - 13:11]

We should not say all things are destined and then do nothing about the situation. The truthful person believes all matters are predestined, but also believes he must do what has been ordered by Allah.

Whatever the situation maybe we must do our part, but leave the results to in the Hands of Allah, in fact the concept of Tawakkal is based upon five pillars:
1. To know Allah, that He is the one that decrees all matters and He does as He pleases.
2. To know, for every problem has a solution and we must follow the divine methodology i.e. the prophetic example.
3. To remain firm at all situations and depend completely on Allah (SWT) to bring about change.
4. To have complete tranquillity in the heart when having Tawakkul in Allah, because Allah (SWT) never betrays.
5. To trust Allah (SWT) willingly and without force, just like the child has trust in his parents for all his needs.

In conclusion, when we are faced with testing situations, we must at all times remember Allah and seek support from Him(swt).
By entrusting Allah, we must be convinced that, what Allah (SWT) decrees is best for us, even if it is apparently the opposite of what we consider to be good. We should to be content with the decrees of Allah (SWT) and we must know whatever is decreed is best for us even if the benefit is apparent or not.

By having this Tawakkul in Allah, it will develop courage, bravery, peace and contentment to our hearts at times of need. Allah (SWT) helps whom He wills, so we must ask Him often, and trust in Him alone.