The bond between Tawakkul and Imaan

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

﴿إِنْ تُصِبْكَ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ وَإِنْ تُصِبْكَ مُصِيبَةٌ يَقُولُوا قَدْ أَخَذْنَا أَمْرَنَا مِنْ قَبْلُ وَيَتَوَلَّوْا وَهُمْ فَرِحُونَ - قُلْ لَنْ يُصِيبَنَا إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلَانَا وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ﴾

{If good befalls you (O Muhammad), it grieves them, but if a calamity overtakes you, they say: “We took our precaution beforehand,” and they turn away rejoicing. Say: “Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allaah has ordained for us. He is our Maula (Lord, Helper and Protector).” And in Allaah let the believers put their trust.} [Surah al-Tawbah (9): 50-51]

Ibn al-`Qayyim رحمه الله said:

❝Al-Tawakkul is an essential and indispensable part of Imaan; and Imaan demands that one should have al-Tawakkul.

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَعَلَى اللهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ﴾

{…and put your trust in Allaah if you are indeed Believers} [Surah al-Maaidah (5): 23]

He تعالى made al-Tawakkul a condition for Imaan. So this is proof that Imaan is lost when Tawakkul is lost.

In another Aayah Allaah تعالى mentioned:

﴿وَقَال مُوسَى يَا قَوْمِ إِن كُنتُمْ آمَنتُمْ بِاللهِ فَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلُوا إِن كُنْتُمْ مُسْلِمِين﴾

{And Musa said: “O my people! If you have believed in Allaah, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslims”} [Surah Yunus (10): 84]

And here (Allaah تعالى) made al-Tawakkul as proof for the correctness of one’s Islaam.

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَعَلَى الله فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ﴾

{And in Allaah (alone) should the believers put their trust}

[Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 122, 160; Surah al-Maaidah (5): 11; Surah al-Tawbah (9): 51; Surah Ibraaheem (14): 11; Surah al-Mujaadilah (58): 10; Surah al-Taghaabun (64): 13]

The strength or weakness of one’s Tawakkul depends upon the strength or weakness of one’s Imaan. Whenever the Imaan of the slave (of Allaah) grows stronger, his Tawakkul also grows stronger; and whenever his Imaan weakens, his Tawakkul also weakens. And without doubt, whenever (one’s) Tawakkul grows weak, it is proof that (his) Imaan has grown weak as well.

Allaah تعالى has bonded:

Tawakkul (reliance upon Him) with (His) `Ibaadah (worship),

and between Tawakkul and Imaan (Faith),

and between Tawakkul and Islaam,

and between Tawakkul and al-Taqwaa (God-consciousness, piety),

and between Tawakkul and Hidaayah (guidance).❞

[Tareeq al-Hijratain (1/255)]