Self-purification is the essence and living soul of the message of faith. It is the very purpose for which the divine messages were sent, the scriptures revealed, and the prophets—peace be upon them all—were raised. It is a profound spiritual journey and a continuous process that never truly ends, aiming to cleanse the heart from its hidden and apparent diseases—such as envy, arrogance, anxiety, and excessive attachment to worldly means—while nurturing faith deep within the soul and firmly establishing righteous values and upright conduct in a person’s daily life. Through self-purification, a human being rises above base desires, disciplines inner impulses, and restores inner balance, living with greater clarity, sincerity, and closeness to God Almighty.
Among the greatest and most exalted stations of self-purification is the station of reliance upon God (tawakkul). It is a noble مقام that combines complete trust in God with a good opinion of Him, alongside a deep awareness of the true nature of this world and its constant changes. True reliance on God liberates a person from obsessive fear over provision and the future, plants tranquility and serenity in the heart, and enables one to live in profound balance—taking lawful means while placing full reliance, at the level of the heart, on God alone, without anxiety, turmoil, or attachment to what people possess.
Reliance upon God is not merely a phrase uttered by the tongue, nor a slogan raised only in times of hardship and forgotten in times of ease. Rather, it is a deeply rooted state of the heart and a living spiritual reality. When it settles within the soul, it transforms a person’s entire outlook on life. It reshapes the understanding of provision, so that it is seen as coming from God, not from creation; it changes the perception of trials, revealing them as doors to elevation and nearness to God rather than mere pain or punishment; and it redefines the view of the future, moving the heart from fear and anticipation to trust and certainty. When a servant truly tastes the reality of reliance upon God, faith becomes a lived experience rather than a theoretical concept, and the journey to God is taken with a tranquil heart, a purified soul, and a spirit firmly attached to its Lord in every state.
First: The Meaning of Reliance Upon God (Tawakkul)
In the linguistic sense, tawakkul means reliance and delegation—that is, entrusting one’s affairs to another with confidence and trust. It is said that a person relies upon someone when he entrusts his matter to them, reassured by their ability and wisdom. This linguistic meaning lays the foundation for a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of tawakkul in the Islamic sense, as a state of the heart before it is an outward action.
In Islamic law, tawakkul is the sincere reliance of the heart upon God Almighty in bringing about benefit and warding off harm, while at the same time taking the lawful and prescribed means. It is a great act of the heart, rooted in certainty of God’s sufficiency, good expectation of Him, and firm belief that benefit and harm are in His Hand alone—not in the means themselves nor in the creation. The means are merely tools and causes that God has established as part of the natural order of this worldly life.
Here lies a common misunderstanding among many people regarding the true meaning of reliance upon God. Some imagine that tawakkul means abandoning work and effort, withdrawing from action, and waiting for results without striving. This understanding is deficient and incorrect; rather, it contradicts the guidance of the Prophet peace be upon him, who was the greatest of those who relied upon God, and yet the most diligent in taking practical means.
The Prophet peace be upon him relied upon God during his migration, yet he planned carefully, prepared thoroughly, chose the route, hired a guide, concealed his tracks, and took every appropriate measure. This clearly demonstrates that tawakkul does not negate effort, nor does it oppose taking means. Instead, it completes and regulates them, freeing the heart from attachment to the means themselves.
God Almighty says:
﴿And upon God rely, if you are truly believers﴾
Thus, God made reliance upon Him a sign of true faith and a proof of a living heart—not a sign of laziness or false dependence. The true believer is one who works, strives, and takes the necessary means, then entrusts the outcomes to God, content with His decree and confident in His wisdom, knowing that what God wills comes to pass, and what He does not will never occurs. In this way, true reliance upon God is realized—one that purifies the soul, strengthens faith, and grants the heart tranquility and steadfastness in all circumstances.
Second: The Difference Between Reliance (Tawakkul) and False Reliance (Tawākul)
One of the essential foundations of self-purification is to clearly distinguish between tawakkul and tawākul, as confusing the two leads to a distorted understanding of faith and negatively affects both spiritual and practical behavior.
True reliance (tawakkul) is a profound action of the heart accompanied by real effort and movement of the limbs. It is sincere trust in God inwardly, alongside active striving outwardly and taking the lawful means that God has prescribed. The true believer does not separate the heart from action; rather, he combines both. His heart is attached to God, while his body works in the world. He strives, plans, and exerts effort to the best of his ability, then entrusts the outcomes to God, content with His decree and at peace with whatever He wills—whether the results align with his hopes or differ from them.
False reliance (tawākul), on the other hand, is the abandonment of means under the pretext of trusting in God. It is leaving work and effort while claiming faith, which in reality is not reliance at all, but a form of disguised laziness and a misunderstanding of trust in God. The one who practices tawākul claims reliance with his tongue while contradicting God’s established laws in creation and neglecting what He has commanded of effort and responsibility. The result is weakness of character, disorder in life, and a corrupted concept of true reliance.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) clarified this distinction in a simple yet deeply meaningful incident. When a man left his camel untied, the Prophet said to him:
“Tie it and then rely upon God.”
This prophetic statement summarizes the complete spiritual methodology in one concise principle:
taking the means first, then placing trust in God.
Therefore, true reliance upon God is the union of two inseparable elements: conscious effort in reality and complete trust in God within the heart. When these two come together, the believer lives in balance—strong and proactive in his striving, yet calm and secure in his heart. He is neither overly attached to outcomes nor shattered by failure, nor deceived by success, because he knows that effort is his responsibility, while success and divine enablement come from God alone.
Third: Reliance on God and the Purification of the Soul
True reliance on God (tawakkul) is not merely an isolated act of the heart; rather, it is a profound path of self-purification and an effective means of cleansing the heart from many psychological and spiritual ailments that exhaust a person and weigh heavily upon the soul. The more firmly reliance on God is rooted in the heart, the more its effects appear in one’s emotions, outlook on life, dealings with people, and understanding of destiny. Among the most prominent inner diseases that reliance on God helps to heal are the following:
1. Pathological Fear
Pathological fear is among the greatest burdens on the soul, robbing it of peace and tranquility. It goes beyond natural caution into constant anxiety and inner turmoil—fear of people, fear of the future, fear of changing circumstances, and fear of losing provision or status. But one who is sincere in relying on God knows with certainty that all affairs are entirely in God’s hand, and that creation possesses no power to benefit or harm except by God’s will. Thus, the heart is freed from excessive fear and lives in inner serenity born of trust in the sufficiency of its Lord.
God the Exalted says:
“Is not Allah sufficient for His servant?”
This verse plants a great certainty in the heart: that God is fully sufficient for His servant in every matter. When this certainty settles in the soul, it cuts off the roots of constant anxiety, dispels the whispers of fear, and transforms disturbance into tranquility and weakness into steadfastness.
2. Excessive Attachment to Means
One sign of an unpurified soul is its intense attachment to apparent means—be it a job, wealth, people, or social status—believing that goodness and provision lie solely in these means. When they weaken or disappear, the heart becomes unsettled and the soul collapses. The soul that truly relies on God, however, understands the reality of means: that they do not operate independently and bear fruit only by God’s permission and decree.
The one who relies on God takes the means with awareness and responsibility, yet does not attach the heart to them or make them the source of security or fear. If they are present, he thanks God; if they fail, he does not crumble, for he knows that the One who granted provision through these means is fully capable of granting it without them. In this way, the heart is saved from hidden servitude to means and freed from the exhausting attachment that clouds the purity of faith.
3. Envy and Objection to Divine Decree
Among the greatest fruits of reliance on God is contentment with Him, and among the greatest fruits of contentment is a heart purified from envy and a soul protected from objecting to divine decree. At its core, envy is a subtle objection to God’s distribution, a narrow view of provision, and an inner belief that what others possess represents a personal loss.
The one who truly relies on God knows that provisions are distributed with wisdom and justice, and that God gives and withholds for a wisdom He knows—neither for the merit of a person nor for the strength of a cause. He is certain that what has reached him could never have missed him, and what has missed him could never have reached him. Thus, his heart finds rest, his chest finds ease, and whatever resentment, constriction, or painful comparison with others once existed fades away.
In this way, reliance on God gives rise to a content soul, a sound heart, and a tranquil spirit—one that does not live in conflict with destiny nor in sorrow over what others possess, but in a deep state of peace with God and with life.
Fourth: The Impact of Reliance on God in the Life of the Believer
Reliance on God (tawakkul) is not merely a theoretical concept discussed in books or sermons; rather, it is a living reality of faith whose effects clearly appear in the believer’s daily life—in the way he thinks, responds to events, and faces crises. The life of one who truly relies on God is fundamentally different from the life of one whose heart is attached to causes or people, for the one who relies on God draws his strength and serenity from his connection with God, not from stable circumstances or abundant resources. Among the most prominent effects of reliance on God in the life of the believer are the following:
1. Deep Psychological Tranquility
The believer who relies on God lives in a state of inner peace and calm, even in the darkest and most difficult moments. Circumstances may tighten around him, doors may close, and pressures may increase, yet he does not collapse inwardly or lose his emotional balance, because his heart is attached to God, not to what he possesses or fears losing. He knows that God is more merciful to him than he is to himself, and that God’s management of his affairs is better than his own planning. Thus, his heart finds rest even when the world around him is unsettled.
The Qur’an expresses this truth in the words of the Almighty:
“Those who believe and whose hearts find tranquility in the remembrance of God.”
Reliance on God is among the greatest forms of inward remembrance, for it is a constant awareness of God’s sufficiency, power, mercy, and wisdom. The stronger one’s reliance, the deeper the tranquility; and the weaker one’s connection with God, the greater the anxiety and unrest, no matter how many outward means are available.
2. Strength and Steadfastness in Facing Trials
Reliance on God does not prevent hardship or trials, for adversity is an established reality of human life. However, it grants the believer a profound inner strength that enables him to endure difficulties without breaking. The one who truly relies on God does not live in psychological conflict with trials, nor does he drown in painful questions such as, “Why me?” Instead, he stands upon a firm foundation of faith, knowing that everything that occurs in this universe unfolds by God’s decree and wisdom.
For this reason, he says with a calm heart and sincere tongue: “God has decreed, and whatever He wills, He does; God is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs.” These words are not a sign of passive surrender or weakness; rather, they represent the peak of spiritual strength, for they mean entrusting the matter to God while remaining steadfast, active, and hopeful. The one who relies on God may feel pain, but he does not despair; he may grieve, but he does not object; and he strives to remain firm, sustained by his certainty that the ultimate outcome is always good.
3. Balance Between Earnest Effort and Sincere Contentment
One of the greatest effects of reliance on God in the believer’s life is the delicate balance it creates between taking action and being content with the outcome. The one who relies on God strives diligently, exerts his best effort, and works seriously, knowing that God has commanded effort and responsibility, while not holding him accountable for results. At the same time, he does not collapse if outcomes are delayed, nor does he lose trust if things unfold differently from what he had hoped.
He works because obedience requires action, and he is content because divine wisdom chooses what is best for his faith and worldly life, even when the good is not immediately apparent. Through this balance, the believer lives with peace of mind and serenity of heart—neither inflated by success nor crushed by failure. This profound equilibrium is the true secret behind the believer’s comfort, stability, and inner tranquility in this worldly life.
Fifth: Examples of the Prophets’ Reliance on God
The greatest practical examples of true reliance on God are clearly manifested in the lives of the prophets, peace be upon them. They are the chosen elite of humanity, the most complete in faith and certainty, and yet they were also among those most tested by hardship and trials. Their salvation and strength did not come from numbers, power, or material means, but from sincere dependence on God and complete trust in Him during the darkest and most difficult moments. Their stories are not merely historical narratives; rather, they are living lessons in spiritual purification and enduring messages of faith for every believer walking the path of life.
Abraham, peace be upon him
When he was cast into the fire, abandoned outwardly by people and surrounded by every apparent cause of destruction, his heart did not turn to the intensity of the flames nor to the injustice of his people Instead, it turned entirely to his Lord, and he uttered his timeless words: “God is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs.” This was not a phrase spoken lightly, but a complete expression of a heart filled with certainty that God is enough for His servant and that He never abandons one who entrusts his affairs to Him. Relief then came from where the mind could never imagine, and God made the fire—an instrument of destruction—coolness and peace, teaching humanity that sincere reliance on God, by His permission, can transform the very laws of reality, and that divine power transcends every cause and rule.
Moses, peace be upon him
When he led the Children of Israel out, and Pharaoh pursued them with his forces, until they were trapped between a raging sea and a tyrannical enemy, fear reached its peak in the hearts of those around him. They cried out, “We are surely overtaken!” Yet the heart of Moses, firm in reliance on God, did not waver or shake before the harshness of the moment. With the certainty of the prophets, he declared:
“No! Indeed, my Lord is with me; He will guide me.”
He did not say, “We have the means,” nor “We have power,” but rather, “My Lord is with me.” This sincere trust became the key to deliverance: the sea split by God’s command, and the path of destruction turned into a path of salvation. It was a timeless proof that whoever has God with him will never be forsaken, no matter how intense the hardship or how tightly the paths appear to close.
Our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)
In one of the most perilous moments of his life, while he was in the cave and the enemy stood directly above him, with all material indicators pointing to certain danger, his heart remained filled with calm and trust in God. He turned to his companion, Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, and said:
“Do not grieve; indeed, God is with us.”
This was not a denial of danger nor an escape from reality, but a perfect expression of complete reliance on God—combining precise use of means with absolute serenity in God’s protection and support. That moment became a comprehensive school of reliance, teaching the believer how to unite effort with trust, caution with inner peace.
Thus, the words of the prophets spoken in such critical moments are not merely historical phrases to be memorized or repeated. They are living methodologies of spiritual purification and practical guidance for every believer who faces fear, confinement, or helplessness. They invite us to attach our hearts to God, and to learn how reliance on Him becomes a lived reality rather than a mere slogan—a path that frees the soul from anxiety and fills it with certainty and peace.
Sixth: How Do We Train Ourselves to Rely on God?
Reliance on God (tawakkul) is not a fleeting emotional state, nor merely words spoken in times of hardship. Rather, it is a deep moral and spiritual quality that is consciously cultivated within the heart and built gradually through awareness, discipline, and sincere striving, until it becomes a firmly rooted trait that manifests in one’s behavior, decisions, and responses to life’s events. Training the soul to rely on God requires continuous effort and a constant connection with Him in both ease and difficulty. Among the most important practical means of nurturing reliance on God are the following:
1. Strengthening Monotheism in the Heart
The foundation of true reliance on God is sincere monotheism (tawḥīd). The stronger a person’s belief in the oneness of God, the more genuine and stable his reliance becomes, for reliance is a direct fruit of believing that God alone is the Creator, the Sustainer, the Planner, the Provider, the One who brings benefit and harm, and the One in whose hand is the dominion of all things.
God the Exalted says:
“And upon God rely, if you are truly believers.”
Here, God makes reliance upon Him a sign of true faith. Any weakness in reliance is ultimately rooted in weakness in knowing God, in glorifying Him as He deserves, or in awareness of the perfection of His power and wisdom. For this reason, one of the greatest paths to self-purification is learning about God’s beautiful names and attributes and reflecting upon their meanings, so that the heart comes to know that God is All-Sufficient, the Best Trustee, Gentle, Wise, and that He never abandons those who entrust their affairs to Him.
2. Abundant Remembrance, Especially Saying: “God is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs”
Remembrance (dhikr) nourishes the heart and anchors faith within the soul. Among the greatest forms of remembrance that cultivate reliance on God is the repeated saying: “God is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs.”
Abraham, peace be upon him, uttered these words in the most severe of circumstances, and our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said them when hardship intensified against him, and they became a means of divine sufficiency and victory.
God the Exalted says:
“Those to whom people said, ‘Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them,’ but it only increased them in faith, and they said, ‘God is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.’ So they returned with favor and bounty from God, and no harm touched them.”
This remembrance is not mere speech of the tongue; it is a declaration of the heart that God alone is enough in every matter. Repeating it with awareness of its meaning trains the soul to entrust its affairs to God and lightens the burden of anxiety and fear.
3. Connecting the Means to Their True Cause
One of the greatest factors that weakens reliance on God is attachment of the heart to apparent means while forgetting the One who created those means. Islam commands taking the means, yet teaches that they do not operate independently, nor do they produce results except by God’s permission. Therefore, the believer must always connect the means to the divine power that made them effective.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Be keen on what benefits you, seek help from God, and do not give up.” (Muslim)
This hadith beautifully combines effort and initiative with seeking God’s help, which is the essence of true reliance. The believer plans, works, and strives, yet knows that success and true outcomes are in God’s hand alone. He does not become arrogant when means succeed, nor does he collapse when they fail.
4. Reflecting on Past Blessings and How God Removed Hardships
One of the most powerful ways to strengthen reliance on God is to reflect upon one’s past and remember how God granted support, relieved hardships, and opened doors at moments when relief seemed impossible. Such reflection renews tranquility in the heart and deepens trust in God.
God the Exalted says:
“And remember the favor of God upon you.”
And He also says:
“Is not God sufficient for His servant?”
Whoever recognizes God’s sufficiency in the past will find it easier to trust Him in the present and future. When the soul becomes accustomed to recalling God’s blessings, fear of what lies ahead diminishes, and reliance upon God grows stronger.
5. Sincere Supplication Accompanied by Effort
Supplication (duʿāʾ) is among the greatest manifestations of reliance on God, for it is a practical acknowledgment of human weakness and complete dependence upon the Lord. The one who truly relies on God does not depend on effort alone; rather, he supports his effort with sincere prayer and humble request.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“If you were to rely upon God with true reliance, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds: they go out hungry in the morning and return full in the evening.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhī)
Birds set out in search of provision, yet they do not carry the anxiety of sustenance in their hearts. Likewise, the believer strives and prays, then entrusts his heart to God, confident that whatever God has decreed for him will reach him at its appointed time and according to divine wisdom.
Thus, nurturing the soul upon reliance on God is a comprehensive spiritual journey—one that begins with knowing God, is sustained by remembrance, action, and supplication, and culminates in a tranquil heart, a content soul, and a spirit attached to God alone, unshaken by changing circumstances and unbroken by hardship, having found its true support in reliance upon Him alone.
Conclusion
Reliance on God (tawakkul) is not a stage that one reaches and then leaves behind; rather, it is a long journey of self-purification. The more deeply a servant comes to know his Lord, the stronger and more sincere his reliance upon Him becomes.
Whoever is truthful in relying on God, God will be sufficient for him, enrich him, bring tranquility to his heart, and grant him relief from every worry and a way out of every hardship.
“And whoever relies upon God—He is sufficient for him.”
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