Question
I am trying to ensure I am understanding Tawakkul (relying on Allah) and Husn al-Dhan Billah (having good thoughts about Allah) correctly. Is it more correct to believe that Allah will certainly grant you a specific (halal) outcome you want the most in the Dunya? Or is it more correct to believe that although there is a specific outcome you want the most, Allah will grant you the outcome that is best for you, even if it was not what you had felt best/hoped?
Answer
Allah clearly informed us that he does whatever He wills. Allah said: ‘He does whatever He wills.’ [85:19]
And Allah informed us that He always grants His Believing servants that which is best for them in every single situation. The Prophet said: ‘How astonishing the Believer’s affair is! Indeed, all of his affairs are good, and this is for none but the Believer. If something good happens to him, he is grateful, which is good for him; and if something bad happens to him, he shows patience, which is good for him. [Muslim 2999]
And Allah informed us that He always grants His Believing servants that which serves their best interests. The Prophet said: ‘There is no Muslim who calls upon Allah, without sin or cutting family ties, but that Allah will give him one of three answers: He will quickly fulfill his supplication, He will store it for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an evil from him similar to it.’ The Companions said, ‘In that case we will ask for more.’ The Prophet said, ‘Allah has even more!’ [Musnad Ahmad 11133; Sahih]
And Allah informed us that we shouldn’t take our perceptions of what Allah decreed for us as an indicator to even think that Allah granted us that which wish or believe is best for us, for we will never have complete knowledge of Allah’s Wisdom. Allah said: ‘But it maybe that you dislike something which is good for you, and you like something which is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.’ [2:216]
So the Believer should suffice with knowing that Allah always decrees that which is best for His Believing slave in all situations.
- Allah mentioned that He enjoins ease for the Believers, even when we perceive it as hardship. Allah said: ‘Allah wants ease for you and does not want hardship for you.’ [2:185]
- Allah mentioned that He always shows His Believers the best path, even when we perceive it as cloudy, strange, and questionable. Allah said: ‘Allah wants to make things clear to you and guide you to the [righteous] ways of those before you, and accept your repentance; and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.’ [4:26]
- Allah mentioned that He lifts the Believers’ burdens, even when we perceive it as burdensome. Allah said: ‘Allah wants to lighten your burdens, for man was created weak.’ [4:28]
- Allah mentioned that He prevents His Believers from attaining worldly gains and matters they desire, even when we perceive it as deprivation. Allah said: ‘Do not let their wealth or their children impress you; Allah only intends to punish them with these things in this world, and to let their souls depart while they are disbelievers.’ [9:85]
And this is the essence of Tawakkul, regarding which Allah said: ‘The true believers are those whose hearts are filled with awe when Allah is mentioned, and their faith increases when His verses are recited to them, and they put their trust only in their Lord.’ [8:2]
And Allah said: ‘He said, ‘O my people, what do you think, if I should have a clear proof from my Lord, and He has given me good provision from Himself? I do not want to go against what I am forbidding you. I only want to put things right to the best of my ability. My success only comes through Allah; in Him I put my trust and to Him I turn.’ [11:88]