Hadith #11213

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "التَّوَكُّلُ كِفايَةٌ۔" This can be translated as

Trusting in Allah is [a means of] sufficiency.

In order to understand the profound wisdom behind this statement, let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith.

The word (tawakkul) "تَوَكُّل" comes from the root word (wakala) "وَكَلَ", which means to rely, depend, or entrust. Tawakkul refers to placing one's complete trust and reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all matters, whether they are related to this world or the Hereafter. It is an act of surrendering ourselves to the will of Allah and acknowledging that He is the ultimate source of all power and control.

The word (kifayah) "كِفَايَة" means sufficiency or contentment. It signifies that when we place our trust in Allah, it is enough to meet our needs and fulfill our desires. It implies that relying on Allah alone is the key to attaining true satisfaction and tranquility in our lives.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah At-Talaq, verse 3:

And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him.

This verse beautifully echoes the message of Imam Ali's Hadith, emphasizing that placing our trust in Allah is indeed sufficient for us. When we rely on Allah, He becomes our ultimate source of support and protection.

Another verse that complements the Hadith is found in Surah Az-Zumar, verse 36:

Is not Allah sufficient for His servant?

This verse reminds us that Allah's sufficiency is not limited to material needs alone, but it encompasses every aspect of our lives. When we trust in Allah, He takes care of our spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.

The exegesis of this Hadith teaches us a profound lesson. When we trust in Allah, we free ourselves from the shackles of worry, anxiety, and fear. We recognize that everything happens by the will of Allah, and He is the best of planners. Trusting in Allah does not mean that we sit idle and do nothing; rather, it means that we put in our best effort while acknowledging that the ultimate outcome is in the hands of Allah. This trust gives us the strength to face challenges, persevere in times of difficulty, and remain steadfast in our faith.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself exemplified the concept of tawakkul. His unwavering trust in Allah was evident in his actions and decisions. For instance, during the Battle of Khandaq, when the Muslims were facing a severe crisis, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) volunteered to face the renowned warrior Amr ibn Abd Wudd in single combat. Despite the vast difference in their physical strength, Imam Ali's trust in Allah gave him the confidence to emerge victorious.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the profound lesson of placing our complete trust in Allah. By relying on Him alone, we find sufficiency in every aspect of our lives. This trust empowers us, gives us peace of mind, and enables us to face the challenges of life with unwavering faith. May Allah grant us the ability to truly internalize this lesson and live our lives in complete reliance on Him.