40 Hadith #67 (Part 1): Reliance upon Allah and Taking the Means

With our brother Abu Arwa Ali

📚Summary:

  • Having reliance upon Allah whilst at the same time taking the means towards your goal
  • The Prophet (ﷺ) also told us “Ardently pursue what benefits you and seek Allah’s help” [Sahih Muslim]
  • **Take the means but do not rely upon them**

Hadith 49 (Ibn Rajab’s 7th addendum): Reliance upon Allah

  •  ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (us ail ge) reported that Allah’s messenger (ﷺ) said: “If you were to have true reliance upon Allah then He would provide for you just as He provides for the bird. It goes out in the morning on an empty stomach and returns on a full stomach” [Recorded by Imam At-Tirmidhi, who said it is a hasan hadith]
  • The explanation of this hadith is divided into 2 parts

Part 1: Having Tawakkul (Reliance) and at the same time taking the means

  • This hadith is a foundation foundational text in having reliance upon Allah whilst at the same time taking the means
  • Taking the means towards something does not negate Tawakkul (reliance) upon Allah
  • An example
  • What did the Prophet (ﷺ) do? How did he have reliance upon Allah? How did he take the means?
  • The Prophet (ﷺ) also told us in another hadith “Ardently pursue what benefits you and seek Allah’s help” [Sahih Muslim]
  • Take the means but do not rely upon them
  • The reality of Tawakkul: a poem from Ibn Rajab (may Allay have mercy upon him)
  • What is mentioned in the Qur’an about this?

Part 2: Summary of Benefits 

  1. Obligation of having reliance upon Allah in acquiring what one seeks and repelling what one fears
  2. Taking the means while relying upon Allah does not negate Tawakkul