Complete Reliance on Allah (s.w.t.)

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is extracted from “The Purification of the Soul”, compiled from the works of Imam Zayn ad-Din Abu al-Faraj ‘Abd ar-Rahman ibn Ahmad ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (r.a.), Imam Shams ad-Din Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (r.a.) and Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Ghazali (r.a.). 

Complete reliance on Allah (s.w.t.) is the sincere dependence of the heart on Allah (s.w.t.) in the servant’s endeavours in pursuing his interests and safeguarding himself against anything that may be harmful to his well-being both in this life and in the akhirah: 

سُوۡرَةُ الطّلاَق

... وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُ ۥ مَخۡرَجً۬ا (٢) وَيَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَحۡتَسِبُ‌ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسۡبُهُ ۥۤ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمۡرِهِۦ‌ۚ ... (٣) 

… And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) Prepares a way out.  And He Provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine.  And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him ... (Surah ath-Thalaq:2-3) 

A person who fears Allah (s.w.t.) and relies completely on Him, will find that these two qualities are sufficient for him both in matter of this world and of his Diyn. 

Sayyidina Abu Hafsw ‘Umar ibn al-Khaththab al-Faruq (r.a.) said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) say, ‘If you had all relied on Allah as you should rely on Him, then He would have certainly Provided for you as He Provides for the birds, who wake up hungry in the morning and return with full stomachs at dusk.’” 

Imam Abu Hatim Muhammad ibn Idris ar-Razi (r.a.) said that this hadits establishes the fundamental principle that reliance on Allah (s.w.t.) is one of the most important means of acquiring one’s sustenance and provision. 

Imam Abu Muhammad Sa’id ibn Jubayr (r.a.) said, “Reliance on Allah is an essential part of faith.”  Possessing the state of reliance, however, does not prevent you from utilising the ways and means which Allah (s.w.t.) has Decreed for His Creation.  These are His Laws, and He has Commanded us to use ways and means, while at the same time He has Instructed us to rely on Him.  Endeavouring to make use of the ways and means in His Creation with our limbs is obedience, and relying on Him in our hearts is faith in Him.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ النِّسَاء

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ خُذُواْ حِذۡرَڪُمۡ ... (٧١) 

O you who believe!  Take your precautions ... (Surah an-Nisa’:71)” 

Imam Abu Muhammad Sahl ibn ‘Abdullah at-Tustari (q.s.) said, “Whoever questions actions, questions the very validity of the sunnah, and whoever questions reliance on Allah questions faith itself.”  Reliance is the state of the Prophet (s.a.w.), while striving to earn a living is his sunnah, and whoever behaves in accordance with the state of the Prophet (s.a.w.) must not abandon his sunnah. 

It has been said, “Ignoring ways and means is doubting the need for the shari’ah of Islam, while trusting entirely in ways and means is doubting the Reality of tawhid.”