Recently, I was asked to prepare a lecture in Spanish on tawakkul in light of the hardships Muslims are facing around the world. In moments like these, many of us find ourselves asking, “When will the help of Allah come?” This is the same question believers asked in times of trial before us before finally finding relief, as mentioned in the Quran (2:214). While reflecting on this, I looked up the word tawakkul in an English dictionary out of curiosity. The word that kept coming up was “reliance.” When translated into Spanish, that word carries several meanings, one of which is “dependence.”
We live in a time when many people talk about independence. Children want to be independent. Women want to be independent. Men want to be independent. People do not want to depend on their parents, spouses, or anyone else. However, the reality is that we are dependent beings. We depend on Allah for our provision, our health, and our well-being. We depend on Allah to protect our loved ones. We depend on Allah to function, to breathe, and to succeed in life. At no moment are we truly independent.
Another meaning that came up while searching for tawakkul was trust. These days, many people say, “I cannot trust anyone. People always disappoint or betray me.” Yet, as believers, we know that we can always trust Allah. We place our complete trust in Him, knowing that He will never fail or disappoint us. That is what tawakkul is all about. That reminded me of a sign I once saw in a business office that read: “In God we trust. Everyone else pays cash!” Complete trust belongs only to Allah.
Our Creator repeatedly reminds us in the Quran that trust is a requirement of faith, saying, “Put your trust in Allah if you are ˹truly˺ believers” (5:23), and provides the ultimate comfort by stating, “And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He ˹alone˺ is sufficient for them” (65:3). This recurring command culminates in the beautiful assurance found in the following verse:
“And put your trust in Allah, for Allah is sufficient as a Trustee of Affairs.” (Quran, 33:3)
When explaining the concept of tawakkul in Allah to our children or those under our care, we should remember those two words: dependence and trust.
But what exactly is Tawakkul?
Tawakkul means placing your complete trust in Allah after doing everything within your ability. There is a hadith I love on this topic, and it is the perfect example to teach this concept to our families and congregations. A man asked the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, “Should I leave my camel untied and trust in Allah?” The Prophet replied, “Tie your camel and trust in Allah.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2517)
This simple lesson teaches us that tawakkul does not mean being passive, doing nothing, and expecting Allah to take care of everything. It is never about that common phrase we hear nowadays: “God, take the wheel.” No, we still take the wheel and expect that God will help us reach our destination. Tawakkul is also believing in the divine decree and accepting that Allah has the best plan for us. No matter what happens, we will be okay. Allah says in the Quran:
“When you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely upon Him.” (Quran, 3:159)
Tawakkul is an essential component of faith. If faith were a body, tawakkul would be its heart. It reflects the believer’s dependence on their Creator. One of the names of Allah is Al-Wakil, the Trustee, the One who manages all affairs perfectly, with complete knowledge and wisdom. In other words, He has our backs.
Allah says:
“And whoever relies upon Allah—He is sufficient for him.” (Quran 65:3)
When we see images of war-torn places like Gaza, where people stand among ruins saying, “Hasbiya Allah wa ni‘ma al-wakil” (Allah is sufficient for us and the best disposer of affairs), that is what perfect tawakkul looks like.
Examples of Tawakkul in the Quran
We see tawakkul embodied most clearly in the examples of the prophets and righteous people in the Quran. For example:
- Prophet Nuh (Noah, peace be upon him) called his people for 950 years despite rejection and ridicule. He trusted that guidance comes from Allah. Even when building the ark on dry land, something that seemed irrational, he obeyed because he trusted Allah’s plan.
- Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) was kicked out of his house by his father, left his homeland, faced rejection, and endured many trials with unwavering trust. He and his wife, Sarah, were childless for a very long time before she gave up and asked him to marry Hajar. When he finally had a son with the latter, he was ordered to leave her and his infant son, Ismail, in the desert. He trusted that Allah would provide for them.
- Hajar (peace be upon her) demonstrated remarkable tawakkul. When she asked Ibrahim if Allah had commanded this, and he said yes, she replied, “Then He will not abandon us” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3364). When her baby cried with thirst, she ran between Safa and Marwa in search of water. Her effort, combined with trust, led to the miracle of Zamzam.
- Maryam (Mary, peace be upon her) faced immense hardship and criticism after the miraculous birth of Isa (Jesus). She relied on Allah, and He defended her (Quran, 19:30-33)
- Prophet Yusuf (Joseph, peace be upon him) and his father Ya‘qub (Jacob) showed trust in Allah through separation, hardship, and eventual reunion. Ya‘qub exemplified beautiful patience based on his incredible trust in Allah’s plan (Quran, 12:18, 83).
How Do We Develop Tawakkul?
Sometimes tawakkul comes naturally during moments of desperation, when we have nothing left but to rely on Allah. The real challenge is developing tawakkul in everyday life. Like any other goal, it requires effort and practice. In a hadith Qudsi, Allah says that when a servant draws near to Him (through religious duties and supererogatory works), He draws even closer (Hadith 25, 40 Hadith Qudsi).
Thus, to build tawakkul:
- Strengthen your acts of worship
- Engage in regular dhikr (remembrance of Allah)
- Make du‘a consistently
- Give in charity intentionally
- Read the Quran
Allah says:
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)
There is also a powerful supplication you can repeat frequently:
“Bismillah, tawakkaltu ‘ala Allah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.”
(In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no power nor strength except through Allah). The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said that whoever says this when leaving their home will be guided, protected, and sufficed by Allah (Sunan Ibn Majah 3825). He also said that this dua is one of the treasures of Paradise.
The Bottom Line
Tawakkul is the heart of a believer’s relationship with Allah. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the calamities happening all over the world, or even here at home, remember you are not alone. No doubt there are many problems plaguing our society and our communities, but amid this turmoil, we must never forget to put our trust in Allah. The stories of the prophets remind us that even in the most difficult circumstances, trusting Allah leads to outcomes filled with wisdom and goodness. We must accept Allah’s decree, trusting that His plan is always better, even when we do not fully understand it.
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