Tawakkul is one of the most prominent forms of belief in Allah (SWT) and one of its terms. The meaning of faith in Allah in Islam is to believe in Allah’s existence, lordship, divinity, and attributes.
Furthermore, when you have faith in Allah, you believe in his oneness, his books, the existence of his angels, his prophets and messengers, and the judgment day.
Allah says in the Quran describing the belief of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions putting the ideals to other Muslims:
“The Messenger firmly believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. They all believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers. They proclaim”
(2:285) Al Baqarah.
Another definition of Faith in Islam is to believe that Allah is the only creator of the entire universe and the only one who preserves the worship. Tawakul in Allah is a part of the honest belief in him. So, we will highlight the elaborate definition of tawakkul in Islam.
Here we will learn the following:
- What is Tawakkul in Allah?
- What are the Levels of Tawakkul in Islam?
- How do you pronounce Tawakkul?
- Why is Tawakkul important?
- What is the difference between Tawakkul and Tawkkal?
- What does Quran say about Tawakkul?
- How do you pray tawakkul pray?
- How do you trust Allah in hard times?
- Your Way To Tawakkul
What is Tawakkul in Allah?
The definition of Tawakkul in Allah is complete trust in him and his plans for his believers, as your belief in Allah won’t be firmed and total without trust in him.
In The Arabic Language, Tawakkul means dependence on Allah in all life matters, besides the trust in him and his plans. These definitions translate the concept of honest belief in Allah.
What are the Levels of Tawakkul in Islam?
There are four levels of Tawakkul in Islam, according to the Islamic scholars’ classification:
A. The First Level is Believing in Allah’s Attributes
This level is to believe in Allah’s attributes as he is the one that Muslims should rely on him in all life matters. Moreover, this level is about the belief that Allah is the only one who knows what will happen in the future and everything on earth or in the whole universe happens with his will.
B. The Second Level – Adopting means reaching an end
In the second level, Muslims believe there is a reason for everything that happens in their lives. So you need to adopt the required means to reach your targeted goal
C. The Third Level – Trust in Allah
This level is about depending on Allah alone. It defines the complete reliance on Allah and trust in Him that He (SWT) will guide you to whatever is good for you here in this life or in the hereafter.
D. The Fourth Level – Sincerity
Believers of this level rely on Allah in sincerity. This reliance accompanies the feeling of comfort and reassurance.
How do you pronounce Tawakkul?
To ease pronouncing this word, you can split it into three passages, as you pronounce it: Ta-wak-kul.
Tawakkul is one of the difficult words to pronounce for non-Arabic speakers. You can learn more words and terms in Islam, develop your Arabic skills, and find out more about Arabic culture through Arabic learning courses on Quran House Online.
Why is Tawakkul important?
Once you put your trust in Allah, you’ll gain many benefits like
- You’ll eliminate anxiety and doubts and feel peaceful as tawakkul strengthens your faith in Allah and trust in his plans for you.
- You’ll have actual knowledge of Allah and his greatness.
- You’ll be closer to Allah and more Righteous.
- You’ll figure out that Allah responds to your calling and dua can change your fate.
- You’ll learn how to be satisfied if something you want doesn’t happen, as you’ll figure out that Allah’s plan is better for you.
- You’ll have strong faith that protects you from satan’s temptations.
What is the difference between Tawakkul and Tawkkal?
In the Arabic Language, there is one difference between tawakkul and tawakkal in writing. The difference is one letter between them.
Also, there is a difference between Tawakkul and Tawkkal in meaning. Tawakkul means reliance on Allah and trust in him alone.
As for Tawwakal, it means waiting for Allah’s assistance without seeking any meaning that may achieve this goal.
For example, tawakkal is when a student makes a dua for Allah to pass the exam although he didn’t study or get ready for it well, as he should work hard and then make dua for Allah for success.
This concept is related to executing the required means to achieve a certain goal while relying on Allah that He will guide you and pave the way for you, with no reliance on any causes or means.
What does Quran say about Tawakkul?
In the noble Quran, Allah mentioned tawakkul in many verses.
1. Trust in Allah when making decisions:
فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
(3:159) Surah Ali ‘Imran – 159
“Once you make a decision, put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who trust in Him”
2. Allah is sufficient for those who trust in him and rely on Allah
وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمْرِهِۦ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدْرًۭا
Surah At-Talaq – 3
And whosoever puts his trust in Allah then He will suffice him, Certainly, Allah achieves His Will. Allah has already set a destiny for everything.
In Surah Al-Tawba, Allah talks to the prophet Muhammed (PBUH) and orders him to say that Allah is sufficient for him and put his trust in him:
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
{But if they turn away, then say, O Prophet, “Allah is sufficient for me. There is no god worthy of worship except Him. In Him, I put my trust. And He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne}
Surah At-Tawbah – 129
3. All matters in the heavens and earth are subject to Allah. In Surah Hud, Allah orders us to worship him and put trust in him, as all matters in the heavens and earth are subject to Allah:
وَلِلَّهِ غَيْبُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُ ٱلْأَمْرُ كُلُّهُۥ فَٱعْبُدْهُ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَيْهِ ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs the knowledge of what is hidden in the heavens and the earth. And to Him, all matters are returned. So worship Him and put your trust in Him. And your Lord is never unaware of what you do.
Surah Hud – 123
4. In Surah ‘Ankabut, Believers who trusted in Allah will be living in paradise in the Hereafter:
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ غُرَفًۭا تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ نِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَـٰمِلِينَ – ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
{As for those who believe and do good, We will certainly house them in elevated mansions in Paradise, under which rivers flow, to stay there forever. How excellent is the reward for those who work ˹righteousness – those who patiently endure, and put their trust in their Lord.”
Surah Al-‘Ankabut – 58-59
How do you pray tawakkul pray?
In Islam, there is a prayer representing the concept of reliance on Allah called “Istikhara”, but its name isn’t tawakkul prayer as usually said in the west.
Muslims perform Istikhara “tawakkul” prayer when they feel confused and hesitant to take the right choice or decision for them between two difficult choices. They ask Allah to guide them to the correct choice.
After the Istikhara prayer, Muslims make a dua for Allah and say what Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said:
“O Allah, I ask You for the good by Your knowledge, and I ask You for strength by Your power, and I ask You for some of Your immense abundant favor. You have the power, and I do not. You know, and I do not know. You are the Knower of the Unseen Worlds.
O Allah, if You know that this affair is good for me in my deen, my livelihood and the end of my affair and its conclusion, then decree it for me.
And If you know it is bad for me…..then avert it from me and avert me from it. Decree the good wherever it is for me and then make me content”.
How do you trust Allah in hard times?
Sometimes believers experience harsh situations that measure their strength of faith in Allah. These situations require us to be closer to Allah and trust his plan. So, there are ways that achieve and increase your confidence in Allah in hard times:
- Keep reciting Quran daily, as it strengthens your relationship with Allah and boosts your trust in him.
- Adhere to morning and evening adhkar every day. They increase your religiosity.
- Identify Allah’s attributes to figure out his greatness.
- Keep asking Allah for overcoming your sadness, and be sure that he is listening to your duaa and able to achieve whatever you want as he is close to you. Allah says:
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ About Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺.
Surah Al-Baqarah – 186
- Increase your Faith in Allah by doing his obligations.
- Be satisfied with Allah’s decisions for you, and always praise him.
- Ask Allah’s forgiveness in total sincerity if you commit something forbidden, and make sure that Allah forgives his believers.
Conclusion – Your Way To Tawakkul
Tawakkul is one of the most important elements of belief in Allah. It means putting trust in Allah and relying on him in all matters. It differentiates from Tawakkul, which means waiting for assistance from Allah without seeking or doing anything.
Allah (SWT) mentioned tawakkul in many surahs in Quran as Surah An-Nisa, Surah Al-Talaq, and Surah Al-Twaba. Also, tawakkul is the main concept of the Istikhara prayer that believers perform to ask for Allah’s guidance on the right path.
In the darkest times, you can increase your confidence in Allah by reciting Quran, saying morning and evening adhkar, making dua for Allah, and performing his obligations.
Moreover, the benefits of Tawakkul are various as having strong faith in Allah that eliminates doubts and anxiety and protects from satan’s temptations, as well as being closer to Allah.
