التَّحَكُّم ← التَّوَكُّل
From Control to Reliance
Control → Reliance
You are here. Allah's guidance reaches you here.
Qur'an
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
“It was by the mercy of Allah that you were gentle with them. Had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have dispersed from around you. So pardon them, ask forgiveness for them, and consult them in the matter. Then when you have decided, put your trust in Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who put their trust in Him.”
Sūrat Āl ʿImrān (3:159)
Personal Reflection
Sometimes I think that if I plan carefully enough,
prepare enough,
or hold everything together tightly enough,
I can make sure things turn out the way I want.
But I cannot control the outcome.
I can think.
I can prepare.
I can act.
Then there comes a moment when I have to release what I cannot carry.
I can do my part without pretending I control the rest.
Perhaps reliance begins there.
This is the author's own contemplation. It is not tafsīr.
Insight from Tafsīr al-Mīzān
Al-Mīzān places this instruction within the context of the Prophet's leadership and the conduct of public affairs: consultation is part of how the matter is considered before a decision is made.
Then comes the instruction:
فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ
“Then when you have decided, put your trust in Allah.”
Ṭabāṭabāʾī connects this reliance with Allah's being the believer's protector and helper. The following verse makes the reason explicit: if Allah helps, none can overcome; and if He does not, there is no one who can help after Him.
We decide.
We act.
We rely upon the One who ultimately holds our help.
Tafsīr al-Mīzān — Commentary on Surah Āl ʿImrān (3:159–160)
almizan.orgGuidance from the Ahlulbayt
When asked about the verse, “And whoever relies upon Allah — He is sufficient for him.”
التَّوَكُّلُ عَلَى اللَّهِ دَرَجَاتٌ ؛ مِنْهَا أَنْ تَتَوَكَّلَ عَلَى اللَّهِ فِي أُمُورِكَ كُلِّهَا ، فَمَا فَعَلَ بِكَ كُنْتَ عَنْهُ رَاضِيًا ، تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ لا يَأْلُوكَ خَيْرًا وَ فَضْلًا ، وَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ الْحُكْمَ فِي ذَلِكَ لَهُ ، فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ بِتَفْوِيضِ ذَلِكَ إِلَيْهِ ، وَ ثِقْ بِهِ فِيهَا وَ فِي غَيْرِهَا .
“Reliance upon Allah has degrees. One of them is that you rely upon Allah in all your affairs. Whatever He does with you, you are content with it, knowing that He does not withhold from you any good or favour, and knowing that the decision in that matter belongs to Him. So rely upon Allah by entrusting that matter to Him, and have confidence in Him in it and in all other matters.”
— Imam Mūsā al-Kāẓim (ع)
Al-Kāfi, Vol. 2, Book 1, Chapter 32, Hadith 5
Du'a
رَبَّنَا عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ
“Our Lord, upon You we rely, and to You we have turned, and to You is the final return.”
Surah al-Mumtaḥanah (60:4)
One step forward
Choose one thing you are trying to control.
Ask yourself what is actually yours to do.
Do that one thing with care.
Then release the outcome to Allah.
Take the step. Leave the outcome with Him.
Journal Reflection
What am I trying to control that is not mine to carry?
What is mine to do, and what do I need to leave with Allah?
Your writing is kept privately on this device as you write.