by Ayesha Zaka
We are worrisome creatures by nature. We worry ourselves sick over things that we have no control over, and even over imaginary, distant possibilities that might never occur! The best way to attain peace of mind is to hand over our affairs to the One who actually Controls all affairs and Makes ALL Decisions. Tawakkul is a key ingredient for a peaceful heart – a heart that does not grieve for the past nor fears for the future, but rather relies completely on Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala.
Rasullullah sallalahu alaihi wasallam has taught us a beautiful, soothing morning and evening zikr, and has promised an amazing reward for it. The words taught in the Hadith, (and also found in the last ayah of Surah at-Taubah) are:
“حَسْبِيَ اللهُ لَآ إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ”
Allah is sufficient for me. There is none worthy of worship but Him. I have placed my trust in Him, He is the Lord of the Majestic Throne.
The hadith is narrated in a mauqoof report from Abud Darda (radhiAllahu ‘anhu):
“Whoever says this in the morning and in the evening, seven times, Allah, will suffice him for what concerns him.” (Sunan Abi Dawood, its isnaad is good)
You feel like you are floating in the skies once you receive the glad tidings that Allah will be enough for you for whatever matters- big and small- are worrying you. We often have irrational fears and worries blown out of proportion that we don’t even share with our loved ones- but Allah knows. Then, there is the nitty gritty of daily life which brings challenges every moment. Then there are the trials Allah tests you with. Without tawakkul, we would just drown in this sea of worrisome thoughts. And with tawakkul, we can chill out, back-floating on the same sea! Tawakkul is an action of the heart. It does not negate being proactive and going out to solve the problem and look for solutions. The limbs of two people might be performing the same action, but from them, the one who relies on Allah and the one who doesn’t can never be equal. The heart of the one who has left the result, happily and contentedly, in Allah’s Hand will definitely be the successful one, in this world and the next.
Allah has also promised in Surah at-Talaaq:
“Whosoever relies on Allah, Allah will be sufficient for him.”
As for the one who relies on himself or others like him, he has not been promised any such reward.
Let us memorize and incorporate these words in our dawn and dusk routines, and see the change in our thought process, the state of our hearts, and the outcome of our actions.
Allah is enough for me
With him by my side, I don’t need anyone or anything else. His Help is all that counts. Allah says in Surah ale-Imran:
“If God helps you, none can ever overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who could help you thereafter? In God, then, let the believers place their trust!”
There is none worthy of worship but Him.
Interestingly, trusting Allah has been mentioned by the scholars as worship of the heart. Just like the actions of worship of the limbs and tongue are directed to Allah alone, the heart should also be attached in true hope, fear, love and awe to Him alone.
I have placed my trust in Him
There. I feel so light already. He will take care of me and my affairs. I do not doubt that even for a second.
He is the Lord of the Majestic Throne.
After all, He is the King, the Lord of the Throne from which all Decisions are made and all Orders, regarding the smallest of issues to the biggest of them, are issued. And who is it in the entire universe who can overrule His Decree?