The word ‘Tawakkul’ has been derived from wakalat, meaning, ‘taking for oneself a representative.’ And a good representative generally possesses the following four characteristics – awareness, trustworthiness, strength and sympathy.
It might not be necessary to mention that one selects a barrister for a task when the individual lacks the strength to defend himself. Such individual, in such instance, seeks the strength of another person and uses his assistance to solve his personal problem.
Accordingly, Tawakkul therefore refers to that man, who in the face of the difficulties of life, enmity and troubles of opponents, the tangles of existence which hinder his journey towards his objectives, and in instances wherein he finds himself unable to untie the knots, takes Allah (s.w.t.) as his support but, at the same time, does not stop his own efforts and endeavours.
In those instances too, wherein he possesses the strength to perform the work, he looks upon Allah (s.w.t.) as the fundamental influencing force. This is because in the eyes of a (true) monotheist, He is the source of all strength and power.
Tawakkul involves putting your trust in Allah – to believe that He alone can ward off the harms of this world, provide you blessings and sustenance, and ease your challenges. It is also about accepting the results that He decides regardless of how they may turn out.
To understand the concept of Tawakkul, consider how tense and worried you get at times about the challenges of this worldly life. Whether it is you worrying about losing your job or sustenance, or general life problems that you may come to face, Tawakkul is your belief and the attitude that you have about putting your trust in Allah to take care of all your affairs.
Allah (swt), says, “…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)
The Quran makes it clear that Tawakkul is not an option but rather a requirement. Allah (may He be Exalted) says, “…and put your trust in Allâh if you are believers indeed. (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5: 23) He also says in the Quran, “….And in Allah let believers put their Trust” (Surah Ibrahim 14:11)
Don’t give up on your effort
Tawakkul shouldn’t be mistaken with giving up your efforts thinking that somehow your challenges will get resolved. Rather, striving and working with the attitude that Allah will take care of your affairs and will help you in getting through your trials is part of you having the Tawakkul on Allah.
Some scholars have stated that “Tawakkul in reality does not deny actually working and striving for provision, for Allah Almighty has decreed that we should work and it is from His ways that he gives people when they strive. In fact, Allah Almighty ordered us to both depend upon Him and to work, to take the necessary steps needed to achieve our goals, and so the act of striving for our sustenance is an act of physical worship while trusting and depending upon Allah is faith in Him.”
Allah says, “…So, seek provision from Allah and worship Him (alone).” [Al-‘Ankaboot 29: 17]
Sheikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan stated about this verse, “Look for sustenance and do not sit around in the masjid claiming that you are putting your trust in Allah. Do not sit in your homes and claim that your daily sustenance will come to you. This is wrong and a true believer doesn’t say such things.”
This obviously applies to not just seeking provisions but in striving to resolve other matters of our lives – just as long we remember and believe that His will is a prerequisite for our matters to get resolved and to accept what He ultimately decrees.
The scholars have also stated that, “other than our efforts that we put in, a Muslim should also combine Tawakkul with other means, whether they are acts of `Ibadah (worship) like Du`a’ (supplication), Salah (Prayer), Sadaqah (voluntary charity) or maintaining the ties of kinship, or other material means which Allah has predestined.”
Allah (swt), also says in the Quran, (There were) those to whom people said, “The people are gathering against you, so fear them. But it only increased their faith.”
They said, “For us, Allah is Sufficient and He is the best disposer of affairs.” (Qur’an 3:173)
Benefits of Tawakkul
One of the major benefits of Tawakkul is that it can relieve us from unnecessary anxiety, worry, and resulting depression from the challenges that we may be facing.
By believing that all our affairs are in Allah’s hands and we can do only what is in our control, we leave the results to Allah and accept His decree, whatever it may be.
Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali said, “The fruit of Tawakkul is the acceptance of Allah’s decree. Whoever leaves his affairs to Allah and then is accepting of what he is given has truly relied on Allah. Al-Hassan and others among the salaf i.e the first three generations of Muslims (starting with the Companions of the Prophet (SAW), defined Tawakkul as ridhaa (acceptance).”
Let us strive to understand the concept of Tawakkul and to make it part of our belief systems. We will notice that things will not only get resolved easier with His help, but Tawakkul will also relieve us from the day to day anxieties and worries associated with the challenges of life.
