JUMAT SERMON: Tawakkul

 

By Sheik Muhammad Makanjuola

ALL praise is due to Allaah, and may His peace and blessings be upon the final Messenger, His pure family, noble companions, and all those who follow them with righteousness until the Day of Judgment. 

Tawakkul in Arabic language is an Islamic concept of reliance on Allah Almighty or “trusting in Allah’s plan”. It is seen as “perfect trust in Allaah and reliance on Him alone.” It can also be referred to as Allah-consciousness.

Tawakkul is basically the “trust and reliance on Allah”, that is, accepting the results that He decides regardless of how they may turn out to be.

Reliance on Allaah the Exalted is a lofty station that has a great effect. It is one of the most important obligations of faith. A Muslim considers reliance on Allah as mandatory for all his affairs, whether religious or worldly. Therefore, the religion of Islam comprises seeking the support of Allah and worshipping him: The support element is to rely on Him alone. Indeed, this is the essence of at-Tawheed and al-Islaam.

The concept of reliance on Allah is a familiar one, given its frequent mention in the Qur’an and Sunnah. We recite these verses and supplications ardently, yet we may not comprehend the scope of tawakkul, such that we are yet to connect our hearts fully to these consoling and empowering words from Allah.

The question is, “How do I live tawakkul? How do I implement it in my daily life to achieve its benefits”? Tawakkul involves placing complete trust in Allah, above and beyond all others, including oneself. As Ibn Rajab stated, “Complete reliance on Allah is the sincere dependence of the heart on Allah in the servant’s endeavors in pursuing his interests and safeguarding himself against anything that may be harmful to his well-being both in this life and in the Aakhirah.”

However, when one’s inner voice resonates loudly and becomes further emboldened by Shaytan’s whispers, one may erroneously place one’s emotions, logic, and that which seems immediately tangible ahead of reliance on Allah, on what is often beyond one’s perception and knowledge of divine wisdom and His decree. Tawakkul is a leap of faith into that very unknown. Hence, the answer to this question lies in the two key aspects this trust hinges on. Ask yourself: First, how well do I know Allah? Second, what is my relationship with Him?

To know Allah is to place your trust in Him:

To know Allah is to know and acknowledge His names and attributes. Pause and reflect when reciting them and call upon Him by these names. Only then can one develop a meaningful connection to Allah —one that will inculcate complete reliance on Him. He is Eternal (al-Ḥayy) and the Sustainer of all that exists (al-Qayyuum). His knowledge is All-Encompassing (al-ʿAleem). He is the Most Powerful (al-Qadeer), the One who is Self-Sufficient (al-Ghanee), the One who provides abundantly (al-Razzaaq), and the One who is most Noble and Generous (al-Kareem). Allah is our Guardian (al-Wakeel): “To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.” The greater our awareness of Allah, the greater our certainty in Him and our love for Him—and the stronger our tawakkul.

THE FRUITS OF TAWAKKUL:

Just as supplication (duʿaa) is a means to the desired outcome, so it is with Tawakkul. Allah answers the call of those who place their trust in Him. He repeatedly commands us in the Qur’an to place our trust and reliance on Him. Hence, tawakkul is also an act of submission to the Master. It is the foundation and perfection of our belief and worship in the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed) by not relying on anyone else: “But if they turn away, (O Muhammad), say, ‘Sufficient for me is Allah; there is no deity except Him. On Him I have relied, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne.” Quran 9:129. By submitting one’s heart and giving complete authority to Allah, the believer gains the love of Allah: “Indeed, Allah loves those who rely (on Him).” Thus, tawakkul brings calmness to the heart, it is no longer perturbed by the tremors of life.

Tawakkul is the source of contentment, ease, and protection Allah grants to the believers, relieving them from fear and doubt. It is a means to come closer to Allah and to raise one’s level of faith (imaan) and certainty (yaqeen).

No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah. “And whoever believes in Allah, He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things. And obey Allah and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away, then upon Our Messenger is only (the duty of) clear notification. Alaah —there is no deity except Him. And upon Allah let the believers rely.” Quran 5:92. 

Thus, if one is tested with hardship, should worldly provision be taken away, or if one does not see the desired or immediate outcome of a particular duʿaa, one remains optimistic that Allah’s treasures are boundless and He will remove that hardship and replace any loss with something better. Abuu Saheed al-Khudrii RadhiAllahu Anhu, reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “No Muslim makes supplication—unless he is someone who has cut off his relatives—but that he is given one of three things: either his supplication is answered quickly, or it is stored up for him in the next world, or an evil equal to it is averted from him.” It was said: “Then many supplications will be made.” He replied, “Allah has more still to give.” Hence, perhaps the greatest fruit of tawakkul is that one is satisfied with the outcome, regardless of its specifics, knowing that it comes from the One who loves His servants and knows what is best for them. 

As election is coming in Nigeria, rely and put your trust in Allah Almighty alone, don’t depend on any candidate in state or federal. Only Almight Allah can make things happen, no one else can do. May we by Allah grace always have peaceful elections in Nigeria. 

May Allah Almighty make this sermon a beneficial one for me, the writer, the readers, and the entire Muslims. And our last prayer, is praise be to Allah Almighty, Lord of the worlds.

• Shaykh Muhammad Makanjuola (Director : MA’ADU DA’AWAH WAL-IRSHAD, Oba-Agun, Osun State).