struggles and worries. Tawakkul becomes a means of awakening the hopes of a person when in calamity.

Definition and significance of Tawakkul

It is written in Tafseer Siraat-ul-Jinaan, volume 2, page number 520: Sayyiduna Imam Fakhr-ud-Deen Razi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states: ‘The meaning of Tawakkul is not that a man perceives himself and his efforts as futile and ceases them like some ignorant folks say, rather, Tawakkul is that a person adopts the apparent means but does not rely on them from his heart, rather, he relies on the help and support of Allah Almighty. (Tafseer-e-Kabeer, Surah Aal-e-Imran, Under the verse 159, vol. 3, p. 410) This matter is supported by the following Hadees too:

Sayyiduna Anas رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ states: A man asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, should I tie my camel and trust in Allah Almighty, or should I leave it untied and trust in Allah Almighty?’ He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied: ‘Tie it and then trust in Allah Almighty.’ (Tirmizi, vol. 4, p. 232, Hadees 2525) Meaning Tawakkul is perceiving any act that is done as a means of the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, leaving its outcome upon Allah Almighty. A’la Hadrat, the Imam of Ahl-us-Sunnah, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states: ‘Tawakkul is not departing from the means, rather, not relying on the means is Tawakkul. (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 24, p. 379, summarised)

Meaning leaving the means is not Tawakkul, rather, not relying on them and relying on Allah Almighty is Tawakkul.

Conveying sustenance through people is favoured by Allah Almighty

It is reported that an ascetic (pious) man left villages and towns and stayed over hillocks and mountains for a week and said: ‘I will not seek sustenance from anybody until my Lord Almighty supplies it.’ A week passed and no sustenance arrived. When he was about to die, he said in the court of Allah Almighty:  ‘O my Lord, You Created me, thus if you want me to live, send me that sustenance which has been written for me or else take my soul.’ Then a voice was heard from the unseen: ‘By My honour and dignity, I will not give