Tawakkul - Context: Faith and Practice

 

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Tawakkul: ‘Trust’; in the Qur’an, one of the virtues of a mumi’n who places his or her total faith and confidence in God as guardian and protector.

Indeed, Tawakkul is a significant concept in Islam, representing the virtue of trust in God. It involves relying on Allah as the ultimate guardian and protector, and it’s a manifestation of one’s faith (Iman) and submission to God’s will. It’s about having full confidence that Allah will provide for one’s needs and handle affairs that are beyond one’s power and control, while also taking the necessary steps within one’s capacity. This balance between divine trust and personal effort is a key aspect of a Muslim’s spiritual life.

Some of the relevant verses from the Quran are quoted hereunder:

21st to 23rd verse of Surah Al-Ma’idah explains the concept of Tawakkul while narrating the conversation of Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ with his followers.

Translation

O my people! Enter the Holy Land which Allah has destined for you ˹to enter˺. And do not turn back or else you will become losers

They replied, “O Moses! There is an enormously powerful people there, so we will never ˹be able to˺ enter it until they leave. If they do, then we will enter!

Two God-fearing men—who had been blessed by Allah—said, “Surprise them through the gate. If you do, you will certainly prevail. Put your trust in Allah if you are ˹truly˺ believers.

So, that’s the level of trust expected from the believers.

 

In the 9th verse of Surah Al-Muzzammil another level of Tawakkul is mentioned. Here Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى has ensured His believers that He is their Wakil (An Arabic term that can be translated as “the Trustee”).

Translation

He is the˺ Lord of the east and the west. There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him, so take Him ˹alone˺ as a Trustee of Affairs.

58th verse of Surah Al-Furqan reflects yet another emphasis on Tawakkul.

Translation

Put your trust in the Ever-Living, Who never dies, and glorify His praises. Sufficient is He as All-Aware of the sins of His servants.

12th verse of Surah Ibrahim narrates the importance of Tawakkul under:

Translation

Why should we not put our trust in Allah, when He has truly guided us to ˹the very best of˺ ways? Indeed, we will patiently endure whatever harm you may cause us. And in Allah let the faithful put their trust.

In 216th verse of Surah Al-Baqara, Allah tells the believer that He knows better what is good or bad for you:

Translation

Fighting has been made obligatory upon you ˹believers˺, though you dislike it. Perhaps you dislike something which is good for you and like something which is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.

286th verse of the same Surah tells us that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى do not put to task a man that is beyond his capacity:

Translation

Allah does not require of any soul more than what it can afford. All good will be for its own benefit, and all evil will be to its own loss. ˹The believers pray,˺ “Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord! Do not place a burden on us like the one you placed on those before us. Our Lord! Do not burden us with what we cannot bear. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our ˹only˺ Guardian. So, grant us victory over the disbelieving people.

In these two verses, another level of Tawakkul is taught to us. Allah knows better what is good for us, and He does not expect anything beyond our capacity. Hence, we should keep the highest of our trust in Allah, rely upon His Will and Command, and accept the outcome happily.

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