I put my trust in Allah

Whoever walked in this world and his foot touched the earth needs help, support and needs for someone to put his trust in him and direct his heart toward him.

Therefore; putting trust in Allah, for gaining the benefits, having protection from the harm, gaining provisions, having victory over the enemies, healing the patients and many other things, is one of the most important things and one of the most definite duties. Moreover, it is among the characteristics of the believers and the requirements of faith and the reasons of heart’s strength and vitality and the reasons of one’s tranquility and rest.

There are many verses in the Book of Allah Almighty that declare the obligation of putting trust in Allah and encourage that; such as: {and put your trust in Allâh if you are believers indeed} [Al-Mâ`idah: 23],

 {وَعَلَى اللّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُواْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ} المائدة: 23

Transliteration: Wa `Ala Allāhi Fatawakkalū 'In Kuntum Mu'uminīna


and His saying: {Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allâh} [Al-‘Imrân: 159],

 {فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللّهِ} آل عمران: 159

Transliteration: Fa'idhā `Azamta Fatawakkal `Ala Allāhi


and He, the Most Exalted speaker, said about the characteristics of the believers: {The believers are only those who, when Allâh is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Qur’ân) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone)} [Al-Anfâl: 2]

{إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَاناً وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ} الأنفال: 2

Transliteration: 'Innamā Al-Mu'uminūna Al-Ladhīna 'Idhā Dhukira Allāhu Wajilat Qulūbuhum Wa 'Idhā Tuliyat `Alayhim 'Āyātuhu Zādat-hum 'Īmānāan Wa `Ala Rabbihim Yatawakkalūna


And it is mentioned in the authentic Hadeeth, which is reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, that the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said that seventy thousand out of his nation will enter Paradise without reckoning, then he described them by saying: “Those people are the ones who don’t think with pessimism, nor do they ask others for Ruqyah, nor do they get themselves branded (Cauterized). But they put their trust (only) in their Lord.” [Al-Bukhari]

 «هم الذين لا يتطيرون، ولا يسترقون، ولا يكتوون، وعلى ربهم يتوكلون» البخاري

And ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father too) said: “ ‘Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs’ was said by Ibrahim (peace be upon him) when he was casted in the fire, and it was said by Muhammad (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) when they (i.e. the hypocrites) said: {"Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them." But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: "Allâh (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us]} [Al-‘Imrân: 173}” [Al-Bukhari].

«حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل. قالها إبراهيم عليه السلام حين ألقي في النار، وقالها محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم حين قالوا: {إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُواْ لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَاناً وَقَالُواْ حَسْبُنَا اللّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ}» رواه البخاري

Transliteration: Al-Ladhīna Qāla Lahumu An-Nāsu 'Inna An-Nāsa Qad Jama`ū Lakum Fākhshawhum Fazādahum 'Īmānāan Wa Qālū Ĥasbunā Allāhu Wa Ni`ma Al-Wakīlu


And it is narrated on the authority of Omar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “If you sincerely put your trust in Allah, He will provide you provision as He provides provision to the birds; they go hungry and return full.” [Reported by Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al-Albâni and others]

«لو أنكم تتوكلون على الله حق توكله لرزقكم كما يرزق الطير، تغدو خماصاً - جياعاً - وتروح بطاناً - شباعاً» رواه أحمد والترمذي، وصححه الألباني وغيره

The reality of putting trust in Allah:

Ibn Rajab said: “It is putting trust in Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, sincerely from the heart for gaining the benefits and having protection from the evils of the world and Hereafter, and putting trust in Allah for all affairs and believing that none could bring good or harm or prevent but Him.”

Ibn Al-Qayim said: “Putting trust in Allah is half the religion (i.e. Islam), and the second half is repentance; because religion is seeking support and worship. As for seeking support it is putting trust in Allah, while worship is repentance. The rank of putting trust in Allah is the supreme and more comprehensive rank, and it still has many servants because of the variety of the affairs that trust may be put in Allah for them and the abundance of the demands of the worlds. The pious servants to Allah put trust in Him for having faith, granting victory to His religion, raising His word, fighting His enemies, loving Him and obeying His orders.”

Al-Hassan said: “Putting trust in Allah is to know that Allah is the trustworthy.”

Sa’îd ibn Jubair said: “Putting trust in Allah is the complete faith.”

One of the righteous forefathers said: “Whoever likes to be the strongest man let him put his trust in Allah.”

Salim ibn Abu Al-Ja’d said: “It is narrated to me that Jesus (peace be upon him) used to say: work for Allah, not for your stomachs, and beware of the excretions of the world because it is filth in the eyes of Allah. This is the birds of the sky; they go and return while having nothing of their provisions they neither cultivate nor reap but Allah grants them provision.”


Dear Muslim brother,

You should recognize that putting trust in Allah is more comprehensive than its being in collecting money and the affairs of life, rather there are more comprehensive and beneficial things for the servant.”

Sheikh Al-Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah, said: “Putting trust in Allah is more comprehensive than its being in the affairs of life; rather the person who puts his trust in Allah should do this for the righteousness of his heart and body and the preservation of his tongue and will. Actually, these are the most important matters to him, and that is why he says to his Lord in each prayer: {You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything)} [Al-Fatihah: 5]”

 {إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ} الفاتحة: 5

Transliteration: 'Īyāka Na`budu Wa 'Īyāka Nasta`īnu


Misconceptions about putting trust in Allah:

Some people may think that putting trust in Allah means neglecting seeking provision by the body, neglecting planning and sitting like an old piece of clothes. Actually, this is the thinking of the ignorant people and this is prohibited in Shari’ah (i.e. Islam). Surly, neglecting gaining provision does not relate to putting trust in Allah; rather it is the doing of the workless who preferred rest and took putting trust in Allah as an excuse.”

Ibn Rajab said: “Know that putting trust in Allah is not contrary to seeking the reasons that Allah Almighty put for the things as His Sunnah in His creation; Allah Almighty enjoined seeking the reasons along with His order of putting trust in Him. Actually, seeking the reasons by the limbs is obedience to Him, and putting trust in Him by the heart is belief in Him; He Almighty said: {O you who believe! Take your precautions} [An-Nisâ`: 71],

 {يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ خُذُواْ حِذْرَكُمْ} النساء: 71

Transliteration: Yā 'Ayyuhā Al-Ladhīna 'Āmanū Khudhū Ĥidhrakum

and He said: {And make ready against them all you can of power, including steeds of war (tanks, planes, missiles, artillery)} [Al-Anfal: 60],

 {وَأَعِدُّواْ لَهُم مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ وَمِن رِّبَاطِ الْخَيْلِ} الأنفال: 60

Transliteration: Wa 'A`iddū Lahum Mā Astaţa`tum Min Qūwatin Wa Min Ribāţi Al-Khayli

and He said: {Then when the (Jumu‘ah) Salât (prayer) is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allâh (by working, etc.), and remember Allâh much: that you may be successful} [Al-Jumuah: 10]”

 {فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ} الجمعة: 10

Transliteration: Faitha qudiyati alssalatu faintashiroo fee alardi waibtaghoo min fadli Allahi

It is narrated on the authority of Anas that a man said: “O Messenger of Allah, should I tie it and put trust in Allah, or should I leave it and put trust in Allah?” Whereupon the Messenger said: “Tie it and put your trust in Allah.” [declared good by Al-Albâni]

«قال رجل: يا رسول الله، أعقلها وأتوكل، أو أطلقها وأتوكل؟ قال: اعقلها وتوكل» حسنه الألباني

Mu’awyah ibn Qirah said: “Omar ibn Al-Khattab met people from Yemen, so he asked them: “Who are you?” They relied: “We are the people who put trust in Allah.” Thereupon he said: “Nay, you are the people who pretend putting trust in Allah; the person who actually puts trust in Allah is the one who throws a seed in the land and puts his trust in Allah the Exalted and Glorious.””

Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father too) said: “And the people of Yemen were used to go for Hajj without having provisions and say: ‘We are people who put their trust in Allah’, then they perform Hajj and ask for provision from the people of Makkah, thereupon Allah revealed: {And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness)} [Al-Baqarah: 197]” [Al-Bukhari].

 {وَتَزَوَّدُواْ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَى} البقرة:197

Transliteration: Wa Tazawwadū Fa'inna Khayra Az-Zādi At-Taqw


Dear beloved brother,

Thereupon; putting trust in Allah is work and hope along with tranquility of heart, peacefulness of self, sure belief that the will of Allah is the one that will be fulfilled and belief that Allah will not make the reward of anyone who does his (righteous) deeds in the most perfect manner to be lost.
 

With regard to putting trust in Allah, people are divided into three kinds:

The first: People pretend putting trust in Allah and neglect work and the reasons of provision; actually, this is contrary to the Sunnah of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, in the universe.

The second: people care for the reasons but neglect putting trust in Allah; those are the materialists and their followers.

The third: The people of truth who cared for the reasons and put trust in Allah, the Exalted and Glorious. Actually, this is the way of the messengers and prophets and whoever followed them righteously; they work for Paradise and put trust in Allah, be engaged in their affairs while putting their trust in Allah and fight while they are ready and put their trust in Allah.


Dear Muslim brother,

The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “A strong believer is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don't say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did that what He had ordained to do and your ‘if’ opens the (gate) for Satan.” [Muslim]

«المؤمن القويّ أحب إلى الله من المؤمن الضعيف وفي كل خير، احرص على ما ينفعك، واستعن بالله ولا تعجز، وإن أصابك شيء فلا تقل: لو أني فعلت كذا لكان كذا، ولكن قل: قدّر الله وما شاء فعل، فإن لو تفتح عمل الشيطان» رواه مسلم

And it is narrated on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever says (when leaving his house): ‘in the name of Allah I put trust in Allah and there is no might or power except with Allah’, it will be said to him: ‘you have been guided, protected and sufficed’, and Satan gets out of his way” [Reported by Abu Dawûd and At-Tirmithi and declared authentic by Al-Albâni], and Abu Dawûd added: “Then he says (i.e. the Satan): ‘what could you do with a man that has been guided, sufficed and protected?’”

«من قال -يعني إذا خرج من بيته- بسم الله توكلت على الله، ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله، يقال له: هُديت ووُقيت، وكُفيت، وتنحى عنه الشيطان» [رواه أبو داود والترمذي، وصححه الألباني]، وزاد أبو داود: «فيقول -يعني الشيطان- كيف لك برجل قد هُدي وكُفي ووُقي؟»

May Allah make us among those who sincerely put trust in Allah, and may He grant us with repentance, submission and need to Him alone. And prayers and peace of Allah be upon our prophet, Muhammad, and all his family and companions.
 

Al-Qasem House