What is True Tawakkul In Allah?

In this article, we will discuss the meaning of Tawakkul in Islam. How do you trust Allah in hard times? We will also answer some of the most commonly asked questions, such as: How do we pronounce the word Tawakkul? How do we perform Tawakkul? What is the difference between Tawakkul and Tawakul? And last but not least, The life stories on Tawakkul, the importance of Tawakkul, and the most important verses on Tawakkul from the Quran and Sunnah.

Introduction | What does Tawakkul mean?

‘Tawakkul’ is an Arabic noun linguistically originating from the verb ‘tawakkal,’ which means to rely upon someone to accomplish something, to delegate to him, and to trust him completely.

Tawakkul in Islam is a terminology that involves two important aspects. First is the sincerity of a Muslim in relying upon Allah (SWT) to bring benefits or repel evil, harm, and hate. It should be accompanied by the firm belief that benefit and harm, giving and prevention are all in the hands of Allah alone and no one else.

In addition, a Muslim should strive to do his best and spend his time and effort as well as he can to achieve what he relied upon Allah for. 

How To Perform Tawakkul?

In fact, Tawakkul in Allah is not achieved optimally, except with a number of steps that the Muslim must know by heart. 

• Knowing Allah, His attributes, and His abilities and believing in them all.

• Achieving firmness in monotheism ‘Tawheed.’ It makes the Muslim strongly believe no one could harm or benefit except Allah.

• Delegating matters to Allah and relying on Him alone.

• Doing the best of your abilities along with relying upon Allah.

A man once asked Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) how he could perform Tawakkul in leaving his camel safe, saying: “O Messenger of Allah! Shall I tie it and rely (upon Allah), or leave it loose and rely (on Allah)?” 

The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Tie it and rely (upon Allah).”

What Is The Difference Between Tawakkul and Tawakul?

The main difference between Tawakkul (Ta-Wak-Kul) and Tawakul (Ta-Wa-Kul) is Muslim behavior. If a Muslim relies on Allah without preparation or actions, “akhdh bi al-Asbab,” this would be “tawakul.” However, if he has conducted all the necessary preparation while relying upon Allah and trusting His Wisdom, it is Tawakkul. The latter is a true belief, while the former is not.

Although they are two similar words yet with two different meanings, this is one of the most commonly asked questions among Muslims. 

1- The difference in terms of definition

The difference between tawakkul and tawakkal is evident in the definition of each of them. Tawakkul is the correct reliance and delegating to Allah (SWT) while taking action and doing proper deeds. However, tawakul is a downright reliance without taking any actions or steps.

2- The difference in terms of ruling

Tawakkul is an act of worship of the heart, which Allah Almighty commands the believers to do and grants them a reward for it.  

As for tawakul, it is forbidden for Muslims to do it. It is completely unacceptable to leave work and do nothing for the sake of reliance.

How Do We Pronounce Tawakkul?

Some non-Arab Muslims wonder How do you pronounce Tawakkul?

Tawakkul is pronounced as it is written in English; Ta-wak-kul. It is super easy to pronounce and use in your phrases.

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How Do We Pray Tawakkul Prayer?

Many Muslims question: How do you pray Tawakkul prayer? 

Actually, there is nothing in Islam called Tawakkul prayer. However, It is called ‘Istikhara prayer. Istikhara prayer involves the meaning of Tawakkul, in which a Muslim asks Allah to guide him to the right path and delegates to Allah to choose for him when he gets confused.

A Muslim who needs to be guided in his life plans should perform a two rakaas prayer, then ask Allah to guide him as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught us.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to teach his companions how to perform Istikhara as he taught them the Surahs of the Quran. He taught us to say: 

“‘O Allah, I ask You for the good by Your knowledge, and I ask You for strength by Your power, and I ask You for some of Your immense abundant favor. You have the power, and I do not. You know, and I do not know. You are the Knower of the Unseen Worlds.
O Allah, if You know that this affair is good for me in my deen, my livelihood and the end of my affair and its conclusion, then decree it for me. 
And If you know it is bad for me…..then avert it from me and avert me from it. Decree the good wherever it is for me and then make me content.”

(Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 703)

What does the Quran say about Tawakkul?

The Quran repeatedly talks about Tawakkul. Allah Almighty commanded His servants to rely upon Him in all matters and explained its importance and merit in many Qur’anic verses. 

Allah said in the Quran that believers rely upon Allah in hard times.

إِذْ هَمَّت طَّائِفَتَانِ مِنكُمْ أَن تَفْشَلَا وَاللَّـهُ وَلِيُّهُمَا وَعَلَى اللَّـهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ

(When two sects of you wished to fail, and Allah is their guardian, and upon Allah, let the believers trust (Perform Tawakkul)).

[Surat Al Imran 3:122]

الَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَقَالُوا حَسْبُنَا اللَّـهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ)

Those to whom the people said, “People have gathered for you,” so fear them, and it increased them in faith, and they said, “Allah is enough for us.

Surat Al Imran 3:173

Allah orders Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Muslims to rely upon Him at all times.

“Put your trust (Perform Tawakkul) in the Ever-Living, Who never dies, and glorify His praises”

(Surah Al-Furqan 25:58)

Allah (SWT) says that Prophet Shuaib (PBUH) performed Tawakkul; he said:

“My success comes only through Allah. In Him I trust (perform Tawakkul), and to Him, I turn.”

Surah Hud 11:88

Allah says that believers say: 

“How dare we do not put our trust in Allah (Perform Tawakkul), while He has truly guided us to ˹the very best of˺ ways?”

Surah Ibrahim 14:12

“The believers prayed,˺ “Our Lord! In You, we trust. And to You, we ˹always˺ turn.”

Al-Mumtahanah 60:4

Allah says He loves those who perform Tawakkul.

“Once you make a decision, put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who trust in Him (Perform Tawakkul)”

Surah Al-Imran 3:159

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True Stories of Tawakkul

There are many stories of Tawakkul in Allah of prophets in the Quran. In the following paragraph, we will discuss some of them.

A. The tawakkul of Prophet Abraham (PBUH)

Prophet Abraham (PBUH) was born in a city where people worshiped idols. He tried to convince them to worship Allah (SWT) instead. However, they put him on fire as a severe punishment.

He (PBUH) then performed Tawakkul and prayed: “Allah is sufficient for us and the best of those on whom to depend.”

Allah (SWT) protected him, and he got out of the fire safely. He (SWT) said: “We ordered, “O fire! Be cool and safe for Abraham!” (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:69)

B. The Tawakkul of Prophet Moses (PBUH)

When Moses (PBUH) became trapped between the sea and the army of The Pharaoh, people started saying we would be ruined. However, Prophet Moses (PBUH) performed Tawakkul and reassured ˹them˺, saying: “Absolutely not! My Lord is certainly with me—He will guide me.” (Surah Al-Shu’ara 26:62)

Allah then miraculously split the sea for them to pass. (Surah Al-Shu’ara 26:63)

C. The Tawakkul of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the highest role model of Tawakkul. In the battle of Ohud and after Muslims were defeated by their enemies because they didn’t obey the commands of the Prophet (PBUH), their enemy aimed at attacking them once again. The Prophet (PBUH) and the true believers performed Tawakkul in Allah and said: “Allah ˹alone˺ is sufficient ˹as an aid˺ for us and ˹He˺ is the best Protector.” 

Allah then put fear in the hearts of their enemies. This was narrated in Surah Al-Imran verses 173-174.

Why is Tawakkul important?

Tawakkul is important because it has several virtues and benefits. The merit of Tawakkul on Allah (SWT) can be clarified through the following.

• Tawakkal is one of the greatest means of reward as it is the basis for all kinds of worship.

• Tawakkul is one of the qualities of a true believer. Allah says in the Quran: “The ˹true˺ believers are only those whose hearts tremble at the remembrance of Allah, whose faith increases when His revelations are recited to them, and who put their trust in their Lord (perform Tawakkul).” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:2)

• Tawakkul helps a Muslim seek assistance from Allah in all his life affairs, even the smallest ones.

• Whoever performs Tawakkul in Allah, Allah (SWT) protects and guides and is sufficient for him. 
  Allah says: “And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He ˹alone˺ is sufficient for them” (Surah Al-Talaq 65:3)

• Performing Tawakkul brings Rizq (sustenance). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 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 come back with full bellies in the evening.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 4164)

• Tawakkul Is A reason to enter Paradise without an account. 

The Messenger of Allah -may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him -said:

“Seventy thousand men and women of my Ummah would enter Paradise without rendering account.” Then he clarified: “those who neither practice charm, nor take omens, nor do they cauterize, but they put their trust in their Lord (perform Tawakkul).”

(Sahih Muslim 218b)

Conclusion| What is The Concept of Tawakkul?

In the end, Tawakkul on Allah is a great act of worship. It involves reliance, trust, and taking proper actions to achieve your needs.

Tawakkul is a quality of a true believer, and it is one of the greatest acts of the prophets and messengers. Allah (SWT) praised those who perform tawakkul and guaranteed he is sufficient for them.

The Quran has several verses that talk about Tawakkul and encourage believers to do it by heart. If you want to learn more about the Quran, Tafseer, and Noorani Qaida join us at Surah Institute for more Quranic lessons.