بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Nafsiya Reflections: Our Step Towards Tawwakul
Tough Times! We have all experienced those times in all aspects of our life. We can compare these times to the sun and moon. We have our shining days and we have our dark days. The moon goes through phases like a believer. We at times go through phases thinking is there something wrong with us making us lose focus of Tawwakul. We as believers have to face them strongly while believing in Allah Almighty. This is what is meant by Tawwakul. Why is it that we keep losing sight of Tawakul?
Well, to explain what tawakul is, some simply define it as Having hope in Allah (swt) or Relying on Allah (swt)… but… it’s actually much deeper than that.
You see, one of the names of Allah (swt) is, “Al-Wakil”, which means ‘the guardian’ or ‘disposer of your affairs’. Al Wakil is used for one who is in power and who you trust with your affairs knowing full well, that the One you have trusted has your best interest. Therefore, when we have Tawakul, it means we are leaving our affairs to One whom we trust and knowing that we will get the best result.
Now, when we say we have put our Tawakul in Allah, do we just sit back and wait for whatever we wish for to just come to us? Do we, for example, expect our monthly rent to just come in walking through the door? Well, even though that would be nice… it’s just not how it goes. In this case, one would have to get up and go work to get money in order to pay for that rent. In other words: We have to put in effort in order to get our result.
Another example is from our beloved prophet Muhammad (saw), when he would get the armies ready for war. Not to just expect the Muslims to know how to fight or just know what they are doing without being taught. He (saw) didn’t just leave it to Allah (swt) without putting in the work in making a strong army. He (saw) simply did all he could possibly do, make duaa, and leave the result to Allah (swt).
And with Tawakul, there is one part that many forget to focus on. This part is that part the shaytan loves to divert our attention from, if you will. A hard pill to swallow for some… even though it is one of the most crucial parts of Tawakul… it is to leave the result to Allah (swt) alone. To know that whatever the result may be, it is Qadr (decree) and it is best for you. Allah (swt) says,
[قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَآ إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلَىٰنَا ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ]
“Say, ‘Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector.’ And upon Allah let the believers rely.” (Quran, 9:51)
Allah (swt) also says,
[وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ]
But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not. (Quran, 2:216)
So we learn that not everything we wish for may happen, but what is better for us will. All we have to do is give our Tawakul. Leave it in His (swt) hands!
So, yes, we must strive! Push for what we wish to have! IT IS POSSIBLE! It’s either that OR something EVEN BETTER! The key to it all is to have full tawakul in Allah (swt) with all we do and in all of our affairs! We will wake up the feeling of contentment that your heart longs for when having full Tawakul in Allah (swt)!
Now, I asked earlier, why is it that we keep losing sight of Tawakul?? How can something that gives us so much ease, a solution from Allah (swt) for all our affairs, that gives us contentment and satisfaction in all our lives, get lost in ruins of this Dunya?
It’s easily put and important to shed light on. It’s simply from the system we live under. Under the secular system: separating religion from life. A system that makes it seem as though Allah (swt) has not given us the answers to living a life full of contentment. Making us waste our energy to find answers and solutions to our affairs, even though all the answers are right in front of us! Allah (swt) has given them to us in our Deen! Leading us to having no Tawakul in Allah (swt) in our affairs, causing us to follow this dunya blindly! Even though Allah (swt) said that this Dunya is just a delusion!
[وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُور]
And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion. (Quran, 3:185)
And in another verse….
[ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ دِينَهُمْ لَهْوًا وَلَعِبًا وَغَرَّتْهُمُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۚ َ]
Who took their religion as distraction and amusement and whom the worldly life deluded. (Quran, 7:51)
Secularism is designed to keep us in the delusion of this Dunya, keeping the contentment and fulfillment that comes from Allah (swt) as far away as possible. Making us not have any Tawakul in our affairs as we go on in our day to day lives. Making us not have tawakul when setting goals and trying to reach what we long for! Making us lose sight of Tawakul completely!
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah observed:
“The heart’s neglecting to seek something from Allah and place hope in Him leads inevitably to it drifting away from the worship of Him. This is especially so when one places his hopes in created beings and is diverted from placing them in the Creator. Thus, his heart becomes attached to his political power, his armed forces, his followers, his servants, his ‘Shaykh’ or others among those who have either already died or are bound to die.”
This is yet another reason we need our shield, the Khilafah al Rashidah, rightly guided Caliphate state! For when we have our shield, we will be safe from going astray from the path of Allah (swt)… Just to have the system of Allah (swt) in its entirety. To keep us focused on the akhira, hereafter, instead of falling in the trap of secularism. Falling in the traps of the delusion of Dunya. To Have Tawakul and know whatever Allah decrees is best. The khilafah is what will keep us focused on all that truly matters!
May Allah (swt) give us the strength to do all we can to bring back our righteous Khilafah, and give us the blessing of having full tawakul in our hearts and minds. Amen
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