Author: Mehmet Kırkıncı, 11-4-2006

The meaning of ‘tawakkul’ (complete reliance on God) is expressed by the term ‘taukeel’ (to make or appoint a ‘wakeel’ or a counselor, agent, representative). The one who is going to appoint a ‘wakeel’ wants a ‘wakeel’ who is more powerful (in all meanings), more compassionate, and more intellectual than him/her is.

A Muslim has a firm belief in God, which there is no other who is mightier, greater in wisdom, more compassionate and merciful than He is. By having a clear conception of other creatures that they are no different than themselves –as weak, poor, faulty, deficient as they are; obey and trust in God (of the Will of Him); surrender to Him.

The one who puts all his/her trust in God, realizes that, “All the good comes from Him and all the evil that comes upon me can be expelled by Him.”

A Muslim, by knowing that there could be no reward without work and effort- as he/she takes all preventive measures, he/she also by knowing that there is no way to get into heaven other than worshipping and doing things within the boundaries laid down by God and avoiding what is prohibited by Him, servitudes to God and trusts in Him.

Therefore, after committing all of the causes and taking all preventative measures Tawakkul is to accept all the consequences that whatever God has decreed. Only this kind of person lives his/her life in peace and comfort; and does not torture his/her soul by having fears and anxieties. The following hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would be a sign of hope for him/her: Umar ibn Khattab reported: "If you had all relied upon Allah with implicit trust, he would certainly have given you your livelihood as He supplied provision to the birds who awake hungry in the morning and return with full belly at dusk." (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

Never Tawakkul holds you back from work or commit causes. God decreed in Qur’an as, “And that human has only that for which he labors...” (An-Najm Surah, 53:39)

One day Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the Bedouin, "Why don't you tie down your camel?" The Bedouin answered, "I put my trust in Allah." The Prophet then said, "Tie your camel first, then put your trust in Allah" (Tirmidhi). By this way the proper way of putting tawakkul has been introduced.