Tawwakul
Encyclopedia
Tawwakul is an Arabic language
word for the Islam
ic concept of reliance on God
or "trusting in God's plan".
Tawwakul as a theological concept was formalized by Shaqiq al-Balkhi
(d. 810), who defined it as a spiritual state or hal. Tawakkul is also considered a natural result of extreme zuhd.
In practice, tawwakul is a form of fatalism
, which for results in Muslims rejecting medical attention or other remedies, for example in case of depression or mental illness, instead resigning to trusting in God's plan.
The Arabic word tawwakul is a masdar (verbal noun) derived from the fifth form of the Arabic root وكل (w-k-l). It translates to "to give oneself over to, to rely/depend on, or have confidence in another"
Hadith:
Umar bin Khattab said: I heard Muhammad saying, "If you all depend on Allah with due reliance, He would certainly give you provision as He gives it to the birds who go forth hungry in the morning and return with full bellies at dusk." (At-Tirmidhi)
Many Muslim legends such as those of Rabi'a illustrate tawwakul.
Of Rabi'a, it is said that when her donkey died in the desert while she was on the hajj, she refused aid from a caravan, instead depending on God to provide for her.. Sahl al-Tustarī
claimed that perceiving secondary causes was a sign of a lack of reliance on God.
Views of extreme and total dependence on God to the point of pure fatalism were popular among rejectionist ascetics.
Thinkers such as Bisṭāmī instead advocate the virtue of kasab, or "earning a living".
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
word for the Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
ic concept of reliance on God
God in Islam
In Islamic theology, God is the all-powerful and all-knowing creator, sustainer, ordainer, and judge of the universe. Islam puts a heavy emphasis on the conceptualization of God as strictly singular . God is unique and inherently One , all-merciful and omnipotent. According to the Islamic...
or "trusting in God's plan".
Tawwakul as a theological concept was formalized by Shaqiq al-Balkhi
Shaqiq al-Balkhi
Shaqiq al-Balkhi was an early Sufi saint of the Khorasan school.Tradition makes him the disciple of Ibrahim ibn Adham.He emphazised the importance of tawakkul or reliance upon God.-References:...
(d. 810), who defined it as a spiritual state or hal. Tawakkul is also considered a natural result of extreme zuhd.
In practice, tawwakul is a form of fatalism
Fatalism
Fatalism is a philosophical doctrine emphasizing the subjugation of all events or actions to fate.Fatalism generally refers to several of the following ideas:...
, which for results in Muslims rejecting medical attention or other remedies, for example in case of depression or mental illness, instead resigning to trusting in God's plan.
The Arabic word tawwakul is a masdar (verbal noun) derived from the fifth form of the Arabic root وكل (w-k-l). It translates to "to give oneself over to, to rely/depend on, or have confidence in another"
Muslim tradition
Quranic references:- And when someone puts all his trust in Allah, He will be enough for him.
- And put all your trust [in Allah], if you are indeed believers.
Hadith:
Umar bin Khattab said: I heard Muhammad saying, "If you all depend on Allah with due reliance, He would certainly give you provision as He gives it to the birds who go forth hungry in the morning and return with full bellies at dusk." (At-Tirmidhi)
Many Muslim legends such as those of Rabi'a illustrate tawwakul.
Of Rabi'a, it is said that when her donkey died in the desert while she was on the hajj, she refused aid from a caravan, instead depending on God to provide for her.. Sahl al-Tustarī
Sahl al-Tustari
Sahl al-Tustari or al-Tustari, born Abu Muhammed Sahl ibn 'Abd Allah , was a arab Muslim scholar and early classical Sufi mystic...
claimed that perceiving secondary causes was a sign of a lack of reliance on God.
Interpretation
Since early times is Islam there has been debate as to the extent of tawakkul as a virtue in everyday life. This debate centered around questions such as whether or not tawakkul allowed for God to use intermediary causes, and the degree of reliance on God.Views of extreme and total dependence on God to the point of pure fatalism were popular among rejectionist ascetics.
Thinkers such as Bisṭāmī instead advocate the virtue of kasab, or "earning a living".