Tawakkul: The Path of Active Reliance
In today’s fast-paced world, our connection with Allah can often feel strained. Many of us struggle with the feeling that our prayers are not being answered, our problems remain unsolved, or our carefully laid plans fall through. We place our trust in people only to face disappointment, leaving our minds full of worry and our hearts without peace.
To find the remedy, we turn to the Qur’an and authentic Hadith to understand the true essence of Tawakkul.
The Miracle of Certainty: Prophet Moosa (AS)
The essence of Tawakkul is seen when worldly means vanish. When Prophet Moosa (AS) was trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army, his followers cried, "Indeed, we are to be overtaken!" (Quran 26:61). Moosa (AS) declared with absolute trust: "No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me" (Quran 26:62). This certainty turned a dead end into a path of salvation.
The Shield of the Cave: Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Centuries later, this divine reliance was mirrored by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the Cave of Thawr. When the enemy was so close that Abu Bakr (RA) feared they would be spotted, the Prophet ﷺ reassured him: "Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us" (Quran 9:40). This proves that with Tawakkul, you are never truly alone or defeated.
1. The Qur’an Advises on Tawakkul
Allah loves those who rely upon Him
فَاِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَی اللّٰهِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ یُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِیْنَ
"And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]." — (3:159)
The Best Disposer of Affairs
اَلَّذِیْنَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ اِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوْا لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ اِیْمَانًا ۖۗ وَّقَالُوْا حَسْبُنَا اللّٰهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِیْلُ
"Those to whom people 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.'" — (3:173)
Believers should rely only on Allah
"When two parties among you were about to lose courage, but Allah was their ally; and upon Allah the believers should rely." — (3:122)
Allah the Best Provider
وَّیَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَیْثُ لَا یَحْتَسِبُ ؕ وَمَنْ یَّتَوَكَّلْ عَلَی اللّٰهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهٗ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ بَالِغُ اَمْرِهٖ ؕ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ لِكُلِّ شَیْءٍ قَدْرًا
"And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent." — (65:3)
Muslims rely on Allah
وَقَالَ مُوْسٰی یٰقَوْمِ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ اٰمَنْتُمْ بِاللّٰهِ فَعَلَیْهِ تَوَكَّلُوْۤا اِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُّسْلِمِیْنَ
"And Moses said, 'O my people, if you have believed in Allah, then rely upon Him, if you should be Muslims.'" — (10:84)
Firm in Trust
وَمَا لَنَاۤ اَلَّا نَتَوَكَّلَ عَلَی اللّٰهِ وَقَدْ هَدٰىنَا سُبُلَنَا ؕ وَلَنَصْبِرَنَّ عَلٰی مَاۤ اٰذَیْتُمُوْنَا ؕ وَعَلَی اللّٰهِ فَلْیَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُتَوَكِّلُوْنَ
"And why should we not rely upon Allah while He has guided us to our [good] ways. And we will surely be patient against whatever harm you should cause us. And upon Allah let those who would rely [indeed] rely." — (114:12)
2. How the Prophets & Companions Practiced Tawakkul
Tawakkul is not passive inaction—it’s active trust: striving as if everything depends on you, then trusting as if everything depends on Allah.
Prophet Ibrahim (AS): When thrown into the fire, he said: "Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs."
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: At the Battle of Badr, he prayed fervently but also prepared the army and strategized. His supplication: "O Allah, I surrender to You, entrust my affairs to You, and depend upon You." (Bukhari 2893).
Abu Bakr (RA): Declared after the Prophet’s death: "If anyone worships Muhammad, Muhammad is dead. If anyone worships Allah, Allah is Ever-Living." This showed his reliance on Allah alone in a crisis.
Umar (RA): He famously advised: "Put your trust in Allah, but tie your camel." This is the prophetic principle: take worldly means, then rely on Allah.
Authentic Hadith on Provision
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"If you were to rely upon Allah with the reliance He is due, you would be given provision like the birds: They go out hungry in the morning and return full in the evening." — (Tirmidhi 2344)
Nobody Gives Except Allah
Ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"If you ask, ask of Allah. If you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah has already recorded for you..." — (Tirmidhi 2516)
3. How to Increase Tawakkul in Modern Days
Sincere Niyyah: Begin every task with: "Bismillah, I trust in Allah for success."
Combine Effort with Trust: Work hard and plan (tie your camel), but detach your heart from the outcome.
Daily Adhkar: Recite "Hasbunallahu wa ni‘mal wakeel" (Allah is sufficient for us).
Pray Istikharah: For decisions, trust Allah’s choice.
Reflect on Verses: Keep reminders like Quran 65:3 visible.
Accept Results: If things go differently than planned, say: "Qadarullah" (It is Allah’s decree).
Know Allah’s Names: Internalize Al-Wakeel (The Trustee) and Ar-Razzaq (The Provider).
The Community of Faith
Our purpose is to live together in the light of the Quran and Sunnah—learning the Qur'an, teaching it to others, and practicing it in our daily lives. We are commanded to spread what is good (Ma'ruf) and give awareness to stay away from what is evil (Munkar). By fulfilling these duties with sincere effort and putting our full Tawakkul in Allah, we seek true success in this life and the Hereafter. Ameen.