Tawakkul derives from the root word “wakala,” meaning to entrust something to someone. Allah is Al-Wakeel, the Guardian, the Trustworthy and Disposer of affairs. [1]
Tawakkul is an important teaching in Islam. It means trusting Allah completely while doing your best to achieve your goals. It reminds us that Allah controls all outcomes and that everything happens according to His perfect plan.
This Article will make you understand Tawakkul by clearing common confusions, Practical Methods with examples from Quran and Hadith. Here is what I am gonna cover:
Tawakkul’s Place in Islamic Faith
Allah (SWT) is the One who created you and knows you better than you know yourself. He is fully aware of your strengths and weaknesses.
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This understanding is at the heart of Tawheed—the belief that Allah alone is in charge of everything in creation. And when you put your trust in Allah (Tawakkul), He is enough for you. [2]
When we truly embrace this in our faith, we develop Tawakkul, which helps us grow spiritually. It’s like saying:
“I’ll do my best, but I know Allah will make things happen the way they should.”
Having Tawakkul not only leads to better outcomes but also improves Sabr (patience) within us. It helps us stop overthinking about what we can’t control.
A patient person is better able to practice Tawakkul. But patience doesn’t mean sitting back and doing nothing. It means doing everything you can to improve your situation while trusting Allah’s plan and staying positive as you wait for it to unfold.
Common Misunderstandings About Tawakkul
Most people are confused in applying the concept of tawakkul in practical life. Here are two types:
- Being self-sufficient without relying on Allah (SWT)
- Only Rely on Allah (SWT), Without putting the required effort.
If you rely only on yourself, you might forget Allah. On the other hand, if you only trust Allah without trying, that can be a problem too.
Islam teaches a balanced way, where we try and trust Allah. You cannot just trust Allah (SWT) and sit back doing nothing.
For example, if you want good grades in exams, you must study and put the required effort. Then Trust Allah (SWT) that He will give you the best, even if it is not what you hoped for. You must be satisfied with the result. Because Allah (SWT) always has a better plan for you.
Imagine if you worked hard but still got average marks in Engineer Degree. You are worried about your CGPA because it will impact your first job. You become tired of this failure.
Do you expect any better plan from Allah (SWT) at this point? Most Probably NO! Because you do not know what He (SWT) knows. Let us continue…
So, one day you started a side hustle as a Facebook ads manager. It turned out that you have amazing marketing skills. You started a social media marketing agency and became a millionaire at the end of your degree.
This is how tawakkul works. Do not judge your future according to current situations. Because your future is not in your control. What in control is your present and the amount of effort you are capable of to put in. So how you can practice Tawakkul?t you are capable of to put in. So how you can practice Tawakkul?
How to Practice Tawakkul
To Practice Tawakkul, you must know that life is not easy. If everything was easy and handled by material means, very few would turn to Allah. So, are you are ready to face trials with this journey of Tawakkul? Let us start with beautiful hadith:
Tie your camel and then put your trust in Allah.
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2517
To understand this hadith, we will break it into two parts:
- Tie your Camel
- Put Your Trust in Allah
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1: Putting Entire Effort (Tie Your Camel)
Without taking proper measures and putting effort, you can rarely find any advantage from tawakkul. Because it will not work most probably.
You must prepare for your exam and give your 100%. This will benefit you in two ways:
- You will be satisfied with your effort with no regret.
- Most probably, you will get the required results.
The next thing you need to do is making Dua. While doing hard work. You must offer prayers and stay connect with Allah (SWT). And most importantly, offer the night prayer. Because the best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer. [3]
And you know what! Tahajjud is like a special meeting between believers and Allah. Every night, in the last third of the night, our Lord descends to the nearest Heaven and calls out:
“Who is asking Me so I can answer? Who is seeking from Me so I can give? Who is asking for forgiveness so I can forgive?” [4]
These two steps were under your control to get the desired result. Now you must put in Trust in Allah (SWT) and be ready to accept his decision.
2: Trust in Allah’s Plan
After making an entire effort, you must transfer this responsibility to Allah (SWT) and make yourself ready to accept any result. Whether it is in your favor or against you.
You will go through unwanted results. Now you must learn these two steps to Boost your Trust in Allah (SWT).
- Leaving Complaints
- Satisfaction and Showing Love for Allah’s Decrees
First, you need to Stop Complaining! Whatever the result is! Even if you fail, financial instability, family issues.
People use phrases like Why always me. This is unfair! My life is very bad as compared to others! So on…
You need to stop this!!!
True Tawakkul starts with the heart, accepting that everything happens for a reason.
Secondly You must show satisfaction with the results. You must be content with Allah’s Decision. Even if you do not understand it, even 1%. You must accept that whatever Allah has decreed upon us is for our own benefit.
Hope these points will help you to practice Tawakkul.
Examples from Quran and Hadith
There are powerful stories in the Quran and Hadith that show how important Tawakkul is.
Quran tell us that After you’ve done your part—thinking, planning, and making the best possible decision—you should leave the rest to Allah. Trust that He will guide things toward what’s best for you, even if you don’t see it right away.
Allah loves those who rely on Him because it shows faith and submission to His wisdom and power. [5]
Let go of unnecessary worry and believe that Allah’s plan is always better than ours. His support is all we need.
Stories of Prophets in Quran Help us to Put Tawakkul in Allah
Stories of the Prophets
Prophet Nuh عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ: Despite preaching for 950 years and facing rejection and mockery, Nuh(as) put his complete trust in Allah’s command. He built the ark as instructed, even though his people ridiculed him. His unwavering Tawakkul was rewarded when the flood came, saving him and the believers while the disbelievers perished. This teaches us to trust Allah’s wisdom even when others doubt us. [6]
Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ: Ibrahim(as) exemplified Tawakkul when he was thrown into a fire for rejecting idol worship. He declared, “Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the best Disposer of affairs” (Surah Al-Imran 3:173). Allah made the fire cool and safe for him. Later, he showed ultimate trust in Allah when asked to sacrifice his son, Ismail. His faith was rewarded with a ram from heaven, sparing his son and earning him Allah’s pleasure. [7]
Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ: When Musa(as) and the Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, the people panicked. Musa(as) reassured them, saying, “Indeed, my Lord is with me; He will guide me” (Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:62). His Tawakkul led to the miraculous parting of the sea, saving them and drowning Pharaoh’s army. [8]
Prophet Yusuf عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ: Yusuf(as) trusted Allah’s plan despite being betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and imprisoned unjustly. He believed in Allah’s wisdom through all his trials. His Tawakkul was rewarded when he rose to a position of authority in Egypt and was reunited with his family. [9]
Prophet Yunus عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ: Swallowed by a whale after leaving his people, Yunus(as) placed his complete trust in Allah and made the dua, “There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers” (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:87). His reliance on Allah led to his rescue, and his people eventually accepted the message upon his return. [10]
Prophet Ayyub عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ: During his years of suffering from illness and loss, Ayyub(as) maintained unshakeable Tawakkul. He never questioned Allah’s decree and continued to praise Him. His trust in Allah was rewarded when his health, wealth, and family were restored, a testament to the power of Tawakkul in overcoming trials. [11]
The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Teachings
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also taught us to trust Allah in everyday life. During the early days of Islam while making Hijrah, when He (PBUH) and Abu Bakr (RA) were hiding in a cave, their enemies were close by. But Allah protected them and revealed this verse:
While they both were in the cave, he reassured his companion, “Do not worry; Allah is certainly with us.” So Allah sent down His serenity upon the Prophet, supported him with forces you ˹believers˺ did not see…
Quran (9:40)
The Prophet (PBUH) also said that if we trust Allah the way we should, He will always provide for us:
If you were to rely upon Allah with the required reliance, then He would provide for you just as a bird is provided for, it goes out in the morning empty, and returns full
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2344
These stories and teachings remind us that no matter how hard life gets, if we trust Allah and do our best, He will always help us. Trusting Allah brings peace, hope, and strength because we know He is in control of everything.
Impact of Tawakkul on Daily Life
By mastering the art of “Tawakkul”, You can boost your daily life productivity. It brings peace, strength, and hope, especially when things get tough.
Conclusion
So, to wrap it all up, Tawakkul is about doing what we can, then leaving the rest in Allah’s hands. It is like saying, “I’ll give it my best shot, but I trust Allah to handle the outcome.” When we truly embrace this, life gets so much easier to navigate. We stop stressing things out of our control and start feeling more at peace, knowing Allah has our back.
It is not always easy, of course trusting the process when things do not go our way can be tough. But that is where the beauty of Tawakkul shines. It helps us find comfort in Allah’s wisdom, even when the path seems unclear. So, next time life throws a curveball, remember to do your part, put your trust in Allah, and let His plan unfold. You have this, and with Tawakkul, you are never alone in whatever life brings.
Have you any Questions? Ask them Freely!
References
- Sufficient for us is Allāh, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs. (Quran 3:173).
- And Whoever has Tawakkul in Allah, He is sufficient for them. (Quran 65:3).
- “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer (Tahajjud).” (Sahih Muslim 1163b)
- Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him? (Sahih Al-Bukhari 1145)
- Once you make a decision, put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who trust in Him. (Quran 3:159)
- Quran (29:14), (11:36)
- Quran (21:68-69), (37:102-107)
- Quran (38:41-44), (21:83-84)
- Quran (12:7-19), (12:33-42), (12:54-56)
- Quran (20:77-78), (26:63-67)
- Quran (37:139-144), (21:87-88)
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