Reliance
on allah, as mentioned in this Prophetic statement, is referred to in
Arabic as tawakkul. It literally means to place one’s affairs in the
hands of another.
There
is a name of Allah associated with this word: al-Wakīl (the Disposer of
Affairs). The Qur’ān refers to Allah by this name fourteen times.
For instance, it says: “Say: Allah is sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in whom we trust as Disposer of our Affairs!”
Also: “Allah is sufficient as Disposer of Affairs.”
And: “He is the Disposer of All Affairs”
And: “As to what we say, Allah is the Disposer of Affairs.”
Allah,
in His infinite knowledge, power and wisdom, governs the affairs of all
aspects of His creation. Allah’s care is general for all things, living
and nonliving, believer and unbeliever, the pious and the heedless, the
grateful and the ungrateful. Allah’s concern, care, and mercy embraces
all creation and all people, whether or not they believe in Him and
whether or not they place their trust in Him.
There
is, however, a special sense of this name, a sense that applies to
those who believe in Him firmly and place their trust fully in Him.
Allah makes matters easy for them and wards off hardship from them.
This is what the eminent Companion, he said:
Allah
is sufficient for us. Most Excellent is He in whom we trust as Disposer
of our Affairs! This is what Abraham (peace be upon him) said when he
was cast into the bonfire. It is also what Muhammad (peace be upon him)
said when the people said: “’They have gathered against you, so fear
them.’ However, it only increased the believers in faith, and they said:
‘Say: Allah is Sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in Whom we trust
as Disposer of our affairs!’”
Allah
takes particular care of the believers, their well-being and their
sustenance. He shows particular concern for their affairs, especially
those who put their full trust in Him. Allah says: “And whosoever puts
his trust in Allah, He will suffice him.”
When
we have a proper awareness that Allah is the Disposer of Affairs, we
entrust our Lord with our concerns. We become accepting of His decree
and seek after His bounty and grace.
This
is what Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was referring to when he
said: “If they would only put their trust in Allah as they should, He
would provide for them like he provides for the birds who fly out in the
morning hungry and return fully satiated.”
The
example of the bird going out in the morning shows us that one of the
greatest expressions of faith and devotion is to take all practical
steps to achieve our goals while at the same time placing our complete
reliance upon Allah for the outcome.
Allah
enjoins this upon us, saying: “(He is) Lord of the East and the West.
There is no god but He. Take Him therefore as Disposer of your
Affairs.”
Likewise,
Allah forbids us to place our true reliance in anything other than Him:
“We gave Moses the Book, and made it a Guide to the Children of Israel,
(commanding): ‘Take not other than Me as Disposer of (your) affairs’.”
Together,
these two verses show us that putting our trust in Allah is an act of
worship. Through our devoted trust and reliance, we express our
monotheistic belief, and therefore these are things we should direct
towards Allah alone.
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