Trust Him [65:3]

As we continue to deepen our relationship with the Divine, let us briefly explore some promises that Allah [swt] makes in the Quran to those who seek Him out.

In verse 3 of Sura Talaq, Allah says: 

وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ 

[65:3] whoever trusts [has tawakkul] in Allah, He is sufficient for him 

Tawakkul means "to put trust in" or "to rely". Scholars explain that "Tawakkul means entrusting all the matters to the Master and relying upon His trusteeship."

"Tawakkul upon God means the severance by the servant of all hopes and expectations from the creatures (and attaching them to God). 

In Islam, Tawakkul is two step process, a balance between action and faith.

In other words, for any situation, we need to take action, do our best with given the resources we have been granted and then have faith and leave the outcome to Allah [swt]. 

We take care of the process, of doing what is within our circle of control and then leave the outcome to Him, recognizing that whatever happens will be in our best interest.

In an unpredictable, out of control and often overwhelming world, trust in Allah offers a deep sense of security and peace. When we place our trust in Allah, we acknowledge that our provision, our safety, and our success do not solely rely on our limited efforts but on His boundless wisdom and power. That despite the destructive craziness of the human beings that appear to be on a path of world destruction, He is still in charge.

In modern psychology, uncertainty is a major cause of stress and anxiety. People worry about their future, their finances, their relationships, and their health. Yet, this verse reminds us that Allah is not just a passive observer but an active sustainer who provides from sources we cannot even fathom. When we internalize this truth, our worries diminish, and we can live with a calm heart, free from excessive fear of the unknown. This reliance removes the anxiety of uncertainty and allows us to focus on doing our best, knowing that the outcomes are in the hands of the Most Merciful.

Levels of Tawakkul

Scholars explain that tawakkul has different levels and as we grow in faith, we can increase our degree of tawakkul on Allah [swt]

1. Partial Trust: Selective reliance on Allah

Some people claim to rely on Allah, but only when it comes to the Hereafter. They believe Allah created the world but that He is not involved in the details of their daily lives. They work tirelessly for worldly success, depending entirely on material causes, yet when it comes to spiritual growth and preparing for the Afterlife, they make little effort, assuming tawakkul means simply leaving things to Allah.

This is a misunderstanding of tawakkul. True reliance on Allah does not mean neglecting effort in any area—whether worldly or spiritual. It means striving – doing our BEST - while trusting that Allah is the ultimate source of all success. 

2. Intellectual Trust: Knowing but not fully feeling

 The second group has a deeper understanding. They accept—both logically and intuitively—that Allah is the ultimate controller of everything. They can even explain why tawakkul makes sense: Allah knows what we need, He has our best interests at heart, He has the power to provide, and He is infinitely merciful.

Yet, despite this knowledge, their hearts still waver, especially in times of hardship. When life is smooth, they feel secure in their trust, but when challenges arise, anxiety takes over. Their minds believe in Allah’s power, but their hearts still cling to material causes. 

This level of tawakkul is a step forward, but it requires further growth—moving from intellectual acceptance to deep, unwavering faith.

3. True Tawakkul: Trusting with the heart

 The highest level of tawakkul is when belief in Allah’s control is not just in the mind but deeply rooted in the heart. Scholars explain that it is "an action of the heart". Those at this stage don’t just "know" Allah is in charge—they feel it in their very being. They take action but remain at peace, knowing that results are in Allah’s hands. Their hearts are no longer attached to worldly causes but to Allah alone.

At the pinnacle of this stage is itmi’nan—complete contentment. This is when a believer reaches a state of serenity, fully trusting Allah’s wisdom in every moment, whether in ease or difficulty. Their hearts are no longer restless because they know that nothing happens except by Allah’s will, and He is always guiding them toward what is best.

Imam Jaffar As Sadiq [as] said about this stage: "There are various degrees of trust in God. Of them one is that you should put your trust in God in all your affairs, being well‑pleased with whatever God does to you, knowing for certain that he does not cease in His goodness and grace towards you, and that the command therein rests with Him. So put your trust in God, leaving that to Him and relying upon Him in regard to that and everything other than that." [Al-Kulayni, al‑Kafi, vol 2, p. 391, hadith # 3]

How to Develop True Tawakkul (Trust in Allah)

Whatever level of tawakkul we find ourselves in at the present time, we can work to build and nurture it to the next level. Here are some recommendations from scholars: 

1. See yourself as a dependent creation

 No matter how intelligent, wealthy, or powerful we are, we remain fragile beings, dependent on Allah. We did not choose when or where to be born, and we have no control over when we will leave this world. Accepting and remembering our dependence on Allah frees us from the illusion of control.

2. Accept that hardships are a part of life

Struggles—whether in health, finances, relationships, or emotions—are part of the human experience. No one, not even the richest, most powerful, most competent or most spiritual is exempt. This life is a test, not the place for ultimate reward or punishment. Our journey includes making peace with an imperfect life.

3. Let go of the illusion of control

Many people attach their self-worth to their achievements, wealth, or status. But if we attribute our successes entirely to ourselves, we will also blame ourselves for every failure—leading to stress and anxiety. True tawakkul means doing your best while recognizing that the final outcome is in Allah’s hands.

Have you heard of the God Box method? When you find yourself worrying over something you can’t control, write it down on a small piece of paper. Fold it and place it in a designated box (your God Box), telling yourself: "I’m handing this over to Allah." When the worry resurfaces, remind yourself that this is in the God Box. This simple act is a tangible way to remind yourself that you’ve placed your trust in Him and no longer need to carry the burden alone.

Imam Ali [as] in Munajat Sha’abniyyah prays thus: 

My Lord, grant me complete severance of my relations with everything else and total submission to You…. Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 94, p. 99]

1.   Remind yourself about your time and God’s time

 When we see injustice all around us and we feel so helpless at being able to help or change the situation, it is very easy to lose faith, hope and tawakkul. We read verses which tell us that God’s help is near and that oppression cannot succeed in the long run and we wonder where is that help?

This is when we need to remind ourselves that our experience on this planet is but a moment in the history of time. Things happen on God’s timing, and we need to keep taking action and believing that He is still in charge and that the no oppressor in history has lasted. Even if we do not see results in our lifetime, we have historical accounts of how oppressors were dealt with in the past. 

Let us end by reminding ourselves of the words of the Holy Prophet [saw] who said: "Whoever wishes to be the most powerful person among people must trust God." [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 15, p. 135, hadith # 71]

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Wishing you a day full of spiritual fulfillment, positivity, purpose and peace.