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Home»Spirituality»The Levels Of Tawakkul: Trust and Reliance on Allah

The Levels Of Tawakkul: Trust and Reliance on Allah

Spirituality 03/02/201220 Comments10 Mins ReadBy Aslom Ullah

All praise is due to Allāh and may the peace and blessings of Allāh be upon the Seal of the Prophets, Muḥammad (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam). The basis for this paper is the concept of Tawakkul, its levels and its benefits. Tawakkul itself translates as ‘trust and reliance’ which means that, in a way, it is quite dualistic and has two different facets which are not independent of each other, but are interlinked. The āyah which first comes to mind when we think of Tawakkul (or trust and reliance in Allāh) is,

‘And He will provide him from [sources] he could never imagine. And whoever puts their trust in Allāh, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allāh will accomplish His purpose. Indeed, Allāh has set a measure for all things.’[1]

The root of Tawakkul is ‘reliance’ or ‘dependence’. We say that we depend on Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) for everything, and place reliance on Him. The reality of Tawakkul is that we place our trust and reliance on Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) in terms of both our worldly affairs, as well as our Dīn, as well as utilising our visceral, or tangible means of attaining that which we want to attain. Tawakkul, therefore, involves belief, dependence, and action. This is because in order to gain at least some level of Tawakkul, the slave needs to be aware of the fact that all the matters of this world and the Hereafter lie in the Hands of Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā). Nothing occurs except by His Permission and His Leave. It is worth noting that depending upon Allāh in attaining one’s provision is itself a form of worship, and is from the completion and perfection of one’s īmān. It is a realisation of the verse from Umm-ul-Qur’ān, ‘You alone we worship, You alone we ask for help’ and is a requirement of one’s īmān because depending on other than Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) for that which Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) alone can provide, or (in the case of a tribulation) Allāh alone can save a person from is major Shirk. As Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) says ‘so worship Him and put your trust in Him. And your Lord is not unaware of what you do’.[2] We also know that He states in Sūrah Al-Anfāl, referring to the qualities of Al-Mu’minūn:

‘The believers are only those who, when Allāh is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses are recited to them, they increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord.’[3]

 Another such reference which we spend our nights reading, is contained in Sūrah Al-Mulk,


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‘Say: “He is the Most Gracious (Allāh) in Him we believe, and in Him we put our trust. So, you will come to know who it is that is in manifest error.’[4]

We also have many, many examples from our Prophet Muḥammad (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) including examples of certain supplications which he made. In an authentic ḥadīth contained in Bukhārī and Muslim, Ibn ʿAbbas (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) reported that the Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: 

‘O Allāh! To You I have submitted, and in You do I believe, and in You I put my trust, to You do I turn, and for You I argued. O Allāh, I seek refuge with You through Your Power; there is none worthy of worship except You Alone; that You safeguard me against going astray. You are the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists; the One Who never dies, whereas human beings and jinn will all die’.

What this demonstrates is just how necessary this trust and reliance on Allāh is, whereby we make Allāh the disposer of our affairs. As it becomes clear from the aforementioned ḥadīth, Tawakkul is interlinked, fused even, with submission to Allāh, and belief in Allāh. This becomes apparent in the ḥadīth, ‘O Allāh! To You I have submitted, and in You do I believe, and in You I put my trust’. In a single breath the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) refers to submission, īmān, and Tawakkul. In another ḥadīth showing the importance of Tawakkul and its benefits in this world and the Hereafter, Abū Hurairah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) reported,

The Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, ‘A group of people (both men and women) whose hearts will be like the hearts of birds, will enter Jannah’.[5]

According to the renowned author of Riyādh As Ṣālihīn, this ḥadīth has been interpreted to mean that it is those people who put their trust in Allāh who will be in Jannah. Under this interpretation, there seems to be direct correlation between the way the people of Tawakkul lived their lives in this world, and their reward. It is the people of Tawakkul who would never have worried about their provisions, food, and means of subsistence, and are like the birds who do not collect any food to keep in reserve but go out every morning in search of food, hoping for and believing in Allāh’s provision, and then returning home to their nests fully satisfied.

Those who have Tawakkul do not abandon material resources, the ‘tying of the camel’, as it were. We all know the ḥadīth in which the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said to the Bedouin who had left his camel without tying it to ‘tie your camel and place your trust in Allāh’. The people of Tawakkul know the balance between action and trust in Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā). Before we move onto the next section of this paper, it is worth noting what one of our famous scholars of the past has said about Tawakkul. In Madārij us-Sālikīn, Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (raḥimahu Allāhu) notes:

‘The condition of the one who relies on Allāh is like the condition of the one who is given a dirham by a King, then it gets stolen from him; so the King says to him: “I have many times as much as that, so don’t worry. When you come to me, I will give you from my treasures much more than that.” Thus if (this person) knows the truthfulness of the king’s statement, and trusts him, and knows that his treasures are full of that, then what he missed will not make him sad.’

 

Levels of Tawakkul

There is much more that can be stated about Tawakkul but for the purposes of succinctness, we will now move onto the levels of Tawakkul. There are said to be levels of Tawakkul and these are easier to understand if we remember that Tawḥīd itself is the basis for Tawakkul. As for the levels of Tawakkul, then the first level is to know Allāh by His qualities and attributes, such as the fact that He is all capable and sufficient to rely on; that He is the Sustainer and that He is All–Knowing and that things can only happen with His Will and Decree.

The second level is to believe that every matter has a cause or a means. Some people give up utilising these means due to their ignorance, and think that this is reliance on Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā). This causes people to become like those who wait for ‘the miracle to drop from the sky’ without striving towards it in any way. Such people wait for Allāh to send down their provisions, feed them and take care of their concerns and affairs while they do nothing. In Arabic, this is called “tawākul” (تواكل); the difference may be one letter, but it is significant enough; we should not be complacent or stagnant; we should do everything that is available to us to reach our goals.

The third level is to remain firm in relying on Allāh alone. Indeed, a person’s reliance on Allāh cannot be fulfilled until one relies on Him alone. Support for this level can be found in the verse,

‘If Allāh helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allāh (Alone) let the believers put their trust’.[6]

The fourth level is to depend on Allāh wholeheartedly and feel tranquillity when doing so, to the extent that one does not feel anxious or confused about their provision. Some people do not feel secure until they utilise certain means, and if Allāh decrees that these means are not available they feel overwrought. Such people’s reliance on Allāh is incomplete, because true reliance is when a person does not care if means are available or not, because they know that all matters are in the Hands of Allāh.  All Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) has to do for a matter to occur is say ‘Be! And it becomes’[7]. Of course, a person will have to utilise all the means available to them also.

The highest level of Tawakkul, towards which we should all strive of course, is to realise that the essence of reliance on Allāh is to entrust all matters to Him willingly, without feeling forced to do so.

Benefits of Tawakkul

In closing this article on Tawakkul, it is worth pondering the benefits of Tawakkul. There are many, the first of which is, of course, that, as mentioned earlier, it is part of the completion of one’s faith. Secondly, and on a more practical note, knowing that our responsibility for what happens is limited is very comforting. We know that as long as we are trying our utmost, we can rely on Him, safe in the knowledge that whatever trial we are going through, Allāh has decreed it for us and we will by His Leave be able to bear it. That is the meaning of the verse, ‘Allāh burdens not a person beyond his scope’.[8] Moreover, Tawakkul also gives us a good understanding of the balance to be had between putting our trust and reliance on Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) willingly on the one hand, and our individual responsibility in utilising the means available on the other.

Another consequence of Tawakkul is that it invites us to connect to a powerful Ally: this is the Lord Himself, Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā). The more we rely on Him, the greater the chances that we will try to please Him by following the guidance He has given us.

The fourth consequence of Tawakkul is that we are not depressed by what we have lost or intoxicated by our success. As Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) states, ‘In order that you may not grieve at the things over that you fail to get, nor rejoice over that which has been given to you. And Allāh likes not every prideful boaster.’[9]

In closing, the one who entrusts Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) does so with the certainty that what Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) decrees is best for them, whether the benefit is apparent or not.

Relying on Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) can instil an enormous amount of peace and contentment in a person, and we ask Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) that He helps us all attain the highest degree of Tawakkul, in order that, by His Permission, we may benefit from that in this world, and in the eternal world of the Hereafter.

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[1] Al-Qur’ān, 65:3.

[2] Al-Qur’ān, 11:23.

[3] Al-Qur’ān, 8:2.                  

[4] Al-Qur’ān, 67:29.

[5] Muslim

[6] Al-Qur’ān, 3:160.

[7] Al-Qur’ān, 36:82.

[8] Al-Qur’ān,1:286.

[9] Al-Qur’ān, 57:23. 

 

BALANCE DEPENDENCE GOAL JANNAH MEANS PROVISION RELIANCE SUCCESS TAWAKKUL TAWHID TAZKIYAH TRANQUILITY
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View 20 Comments

20 Comments

  1. s on 10/02/2017 7:51 pm

    thank u

    one of your footnotes are wrong: 8] Al-Qur’ān,1:286.
    – it’s Surah 2 not 1

    Reply
  2. Junaid Ahmad on 22/11/2016 7:33 pm

    Asslam o alaikum brothers and sisters…..! Jaza k Allah khair for this article. Let me share a story with you, it’s a time of tribulations and trails for me. May Allah have mercy on me and All the belivers i was almost denied of every thing i wanted one after another and its almost 4 years am trying my level best to get a job but miserabley failed. I have done everything in my capicity including charity,nawafils, cooking and distributing food among people,and His other creations, wazaif, service of His beloved people, am obedient toward parents and trying to do my level best , e t.c Alhamdulillah am a humble person and have given up many time my share to avoid any heartbreak or fight, never spoken badly about any of his creation but still here i am a Geology graduate with an education career of A grades throughout. with zero confidence left degraded , devalued by society (which i don’t really care about) am i that dispicable but all this can’t effect my love For HIM and his peophet s.a.w.w. He says that i don’t put burden on any soul beyond his limit please pray for me as am the eldest son of a retired father and gotta take care of the family . Everybody is laughing and making fun of me I want this to end you can better understand my situation by this line that if sucide is not a Harm act i would have committed it . Despite all i still have faith that He is judging my faith and devotion but now am thinking that if the situatin continued GOD FORBID i may do anything stupid so plz pray for me that Allah grant me some hilal means of livelihood and bless me with Emman and His mercy.

    Reply
    • Abdur Rahman on 05/01/2017 8:43 pm

      Walaikum assalam warahmatullah brother Junaid Ahmad.
      Your situation is a test and words are true. The Prophet (saw) himself had to pass more harder situation in his life though he is the most honorable person in the world. Do not be frustrated and loose hope. Allah must guide you inshaallah. And I believe you will be a model and example for many youths like you.
      I think you should start any kind of job if it is very tiny. There is no benefit in frustration. Ignore those people who lough at you and trust on Allah. You can marry to confirm your rijk which is suggested by prophet (SAW). You are a Muttaqi and Allah promised a way out for you. Read Surah talaq verse no 2-3. Whoever afraid of Allah (SWT), He makes a way out for him. And gives rijk from a source which he could not even imagine. fee amanillah

      Reply
  3. musa on 10/02/2016 11:34 am

    alsalalam alykm .. nice article and it reminds us in this life not to get carried away in this life where every one sometimes face chalanges that cause some worry about resolving them .. lets see what allah said in the quran Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. And when Allah intends for a people ill, there is no repelling it. And there is not for them besides Him any patron.and that change is doing Tawakkul which is clearly stated in the quran 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. (Qur’an 65:3) now this is confirmed by modern scince that 90% of our mind is controlled by subconscious mind and the subconscious mind is programmed by imagining good things you seek in life with the five senses and once you hold these for a while you start accomplishing things you seek because the subconscious does not know the ell the difference between real and imagined and this is allah gift to us to change what is inside of us to change the coditions so when you have Tawakkul you will see success in your mind which will attract what you seek for , i pray for all to be happy and successful and happy in this life and the the life after ..amen

    Reply
  4. Arfa Saira Iqbal on 22/01/2016 8:12 pm

    Just beautiful – and came at a time when I really needed to hear this.

    Reply
  5. Moji toluwalase on 01/07/2015 1:28 am

    May allah help us . I love yr write up .may allah continue to help yr reasoning.

    Reply
  6. Moji toluwalase on 01/07/2015 1:27 am

    May allah help us . I love yr written .may allah continue to help yr reasoning.

    Reply
  7. car accident lawyer on 03/07/2014 6:54 am

    Incredible points. Great arguments. Keep up the amazing work.

    Reply
  8. bint hassan on 01/06/2012 7:53 pm

    Mashallah very beneficial article

    However, there is a mistake in the ayah number in footnote number two its supposed to be ayah 123. May Allaah grant you jannaah for sharing your knowledge

    barakallah feik

    Reply
  9. Umm Khadijah on 27/03/2012 8:19 am

    Tawwakul ala-allah!
    MashaAllah, great article! JazakAllah khair…

    Reply
  10. Nisar Dean on 04/02/2012 3:26 pm

    Remarkable Article

    Reply
  11. Nisar Dean on 03/02/2012 7:41 pm

    Remarkable

    Reply
  12. Nisar Dean on 03/02/2012 7:39 pm

    Exactly what the Iranian authorities are following

    Reply
  13. Abdulfatah on 03/02/2012 2:43 pm

    Mr
    Jazakallahu khaira for this must read post. it really gave me some sense of re-orientation and affirms my believe. I hope fellow muslims will find solitude in this article by remembering Allah(swt) always and thanking Him for all He has done.

    Reply
  14. Mohammed Hossain on 03/02/2012 2:23 pm

    Well written… easy to understand.
    JazakAllah khair for writing this article. Very concise and to the point.

    Reply
  15. Nisar Dean on 03/02/2012 12:04 pm

    Remarkable article

    Reply
  16. Nisar Dean on 03/02/2012 12:03 pm

    When when looks with an open mind,no matter what the dfferences are between shia/sunni,I must say the Islamic republic of Iran has proven that faith in Allah and working tirelessely in the progression of ones nation through science ,technology medicine etc,including relgion is the answer to its enemies not only from the west but unfortunately from Arab leaders.

    Reply
    • SuSu on 03/11/2016 2:44 pm

      Absolutely agree with you in your assessment. They follow the example of Husseyn who showed that to uphold the dignity of the religion his grandfather (eternal Peace be upon him) you say NO to tyrants (or whoever the Yazid of the day is) by placing your Tavakkol Entirely in Allah. Those pseudo muslims who place their Tavakkol on Saudi-Qatari-Emirati petro $ and not in Allah are agents of Satan.

      Reply
  17. ibna on 03/02/2012 11:54 am

    jazakumullahu khairan
    Jazakumullahu khairan for the post ma sha Allah. Also just a small correction in sha Allah, the reference for the aya is 2:286, not 1:286 footnote number 7.

    May Allah aid us to be of the righteous and grant us the highest level of tawakkul ameen

    Reply
  18. ibna on 03/02/2012 11:42 am

    Ma sha Allah
    Ma sha Allah may Allah grant us this righteous status ameen

    Reply

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