Tawakkul: trusting Allah

Every phrase in this step points to one attitude of the heart: trusting Allah. In Arabic this is called tawakkul. In this lesson you will learn what tawakkul is, what it is not, and a few words that help you live it.

What tawakkul means

Tawakkul means relying on Allah with your heart: depending on Him to bring you what is good and keep away what is harmful, in this life and in your faith, because nothing gives or withholds, harms or benefits, except by Him. At the same time, you take the practical steps that lead to good.

Allah promises:

And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah.

Quran 65:3 (Saheeh International translation)

Then Allah is sufficient for him: He always accomplishes His purpose, and He has already set a measure for everything. Scholars explain: whoever relies on Allah, Allah is enough for him in everything that worries him.

Trust and effort go together

Tawakkul is not sitting back and waiting. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:

If only you rely upon Allah the way you should, He will provide for you as He provides for birds: They set out hungry in the morning and return with full bellies in the evening.

Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2344 (hasan sahih according to al-Tirmidhi)

Notice what the birds do. They leave the nest every morning. They do not stay home waiting for food to fall from the sky. They go out, and Allah provides. Scholars draw this lesson from the hadith: true reliance on Allah does not contradict going out and working for your provision.

And in another hadith he said:

Adhere to whatever brings you benefit, seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless.

Sahih Muslim 2664

So the balance is simple: do your part fully, then leave the result to Allah. Study for the exam, then trust Allah. Apply for the job, then trust Allah. See the doctor, then trust Allah.

In that same hadith, the Prophet taught what to say when something happens that you did not want, instead of torturing yourself with "if only":

Hasbunallahu wa ni'mal wakil

In the Quran, when believers were warned that a great force had gathered against them, their faith only grew, and they answered with these words:

Those to whom hypocrites said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs."

Quran 3:173 (Saheeh International translation)

The companion Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him, said these words when he was thrown into the fire, and the Prophet Muhammad said them when he was told that people had gathered against him (Sahih al-Bukhari 4563).

You can say it whenever you feel overwhelmed: a worrying test result, pressure from people around you, money that does not stretch far enough. It is not a way to stop trying. It is a way to stop carrying everything alone.

A daily habit of trust

The Prophet taught a short remembrance for leaving the house:

He said that whoever says it when leaving home is told: "You have been sufficed and protected" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 3426 and Sunan Abi Dawud 5095, sahih).

You have now met the phrases Muslims use every day, and the trust in Allah that sits behind all of them. Take the knowledge check below to review this step, one question at a time.