Tawakkul (Trusting) in Allaah

The Messenger of Allāh salAllaahu alayhi wasallam described those who trust in Allāh as having two qualities: they seek means and ways of earning their livelihood and have great trust in He Who has full control of all means and ways of provision. Those who possess only one or none of these qualities will acquire failure and utter loss. In contrast, those who seek the legal and lawful ways of earning their sustenance, trust in Allāh and appreciate His bounties whenever they earn them, all the while observing patience during times of hardship and distress, will acquire success and win what they need and covet.

How can those who acknowledge that they are in need of their Lord in all conditions and situations, not trust in Him? How can those who acknowledge that they are helpless and feeble without the help of their Lord, ever stop seeking His help or invoking Him for relief? How can those who are certain that ownership of all affairs rests in Allāh’s Hands, not ask Him for their various needs? How can those who have knowledge of Allāh’s Richness and Most Generous Essence, refrain from seeking His Kindness in all of their matters? How can those who are certain of Allāh’s Mercy, that He is more merciful with His slaves than the mother with her own child, not trust His Judgment? How can those who know that Allāh is Most Wise in all decisions, not feel assured and pleased with all that He decides and destines for them?

O slave of Allāh, who seeks the ways and means of goodness, you will only earn all that is good and righteous by trusting in Allāh and relying on Him for every need. O you who strives hard against his own self to resist the lures of sin and disobedience, know that you will repel sin only through your trust and reliance on He Who has perfect knowledge of the Unseen. Surely, he who relies on Allāh, He will suffice for him. He who asks Allāh for help and adheres to His obedience, He will correct the affairs of his life and religion for him. As for he who likes himself and lets his heart abandon the Lord, the Most Honored, he will only acquire failure and lose this life and the Hereafter.

How many are they, who seem weak and unable to earn their benefit, but are in fact strong on account of their trust and reliance on Allāh, and so Allāh helps them acquire their needs? How many are they, who seem strong and rely on this fact alone, but their strength deceived and departed them when they most needed it? Surely, the help and success that Allāh grants is the only reserve and resource of supply for the faithful believers. There is no success, or happiness, except by worshipping Allāh, seeking His help and trusting in Him. Verily, Allāh is the only deity worthy of worship and how excellent He is as a Helper:

رَّبَّنَا عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ

“Our Lord! In You (Alone) we put our trust, and to You (Alone) we turn in repentance, and to You (Alone) is (our) final Return.” (Al-Mumtahinah 60:4)

And:

وَكَأَيِّن مِن دَابَّةٍ لَا تَحْمِلُ رِزْقَهَا اللَّهُ يَرْزُقُهَا وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

“And so many a moving (living) creature carries not its own provision! Allāh provides for it and for you. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” (Al-’Ankabut 29:60)