Ayesha Naseem, Walsall
To say Tawakkul – ‘trust in Allah’, is easier said than done. Perhaps, we go about our lives and say we believe in Allah and trust Him. But if we ever ponder, do we really mean it when we say it? When everything is normal, when there is no worry about health, food or shelter and when we are near and around our loved ones, do we remember Allah and trust Him the same way? How many times do we go about our life with this faith and trust that Allah the Almighty will guide us, protect us and bless us. Trust that He brought us this far and that He will take us forward too. And when an affliction or a difficulty befalls a believer, does his belief and his trust in Allah, remain the same or does he fall into despair before he turns to trust Allah the Almighty?
We have the blessed and perfect example of the Holy Founder of Islam, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) has written regarding this:
“He [the Holy Prophet] possessed an extraordinary certainty in the Being of Allah. This is why he took upon himself such a tremendous burden, opposed the whole world, and considered them of no consequence. This is a great example of trust in God, the like of which cannot be found anywhere in the world.” [2]
When we hear and learn about the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), that he ‘opposed the whole world and considered them of no consequence’, it really makes one wonder to what extent we try and embody this characteristic and this level of trust in Allah the Almighty in our lives.
Personally, my biggest lesson and realisation of the power of wholeheartedly and blindly trusting Allah the Almighty came at the time of my son’s birth. Going through pregnancy was one thing but as the time of delivery approached, I was engulfed by fear and anxiety for some time. At that time, I reminded myself that Allah the Almighty held my hand and brought me this far, He would help me overcome this period too.
As is said in the Holy Qur’an:
“And put thy trust in Allah, and Allah is sufficient as a Guardian.” [3]
Due to several factors including the baby’s position, I had to make a conscious decision for my birth plan, but I was someone who had zero knowledge or awareness of what could be safest. Doctors, as they do, listed both benefits and risks but never really encouraged one over the other. Following their advice and following prayer, I made one decision and left my matters with Allah the Almighty. I prayed for what was best, and for everything to fall into place as would be good and safe for me and my child. Despite several doctors trying to encourage me to change my birth plan during my subsequent stay in hospital, I stood firm on what I had decided. I truly believe that at that time, it was Allah’s Guidance and Help that gave me confidence on my decision.
Utilising the means available and then trusting Allah is also the practice and teaching of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Hazrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that a man asked, “O Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) of Allah, should I tie the knee of my camel and place my trust in Allah, or should I leave it untied and place my trust in Allah?” The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) replied, “Tie its knee and place your trust in Allah.” [4]
As I delivered my son, I came to learn that this birth was a miracle in disguise. I learnt after his birth that he had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck four times – the reason he was unable to move for weeks. The doctor told me, it would have been impossible for him to be delivered any other way. It would have been distressful and difficult for him and me. But Allah the Almighty, the Knower of the Unseen, had led me to the better decision because none of this could have been known to any of us. We averted an emergency and everything associated with it.
Tawakkul means giving up any fear or anxiety. Because Allah can make the impossible, possible. Allah can change hearts, can change one’s path, can open doors that were never in reach. For Him, nothing is late or early nor is it less or more. He guides, He opens the doors, and He creates provisions.
References
[1] Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part 4, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 1, pp. 111-112.
[2] Friday Sermon, ‘Living tawakkul: The Prophet’s (sa) way’, 4 September 2026, Accessed from: https://www.alhakam.org/friday-sermon-4-september-2026
[3] The Holy Qur’an, Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:4, English Translation by Maulawi Sher Ali.
[4] Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Abwab sifati l-qiyamah, Hadith 2517
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