Rely on Him (DW#403)
Verse 159 from Sura Al-Imran: So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. (Quran 3:159)
This verse refers to the Holy Prophet(saw)’s demeanor with his companions after the disaster on the battlefield of Uhud when some companions flagrantly disobeyed him. The Prophet did not reproach them harshly although the disobedience had led to a major defeat for the Muslims.
Here the Quran testifies to the gentle nature of the Prophet (saw) which endeared him to all, and it is reckoned as one of the Mercies of Allah. One of the Prophet's titles is "A Mercy to all Creation." At no time was this gentleness, this mercy, this long-suffering with human weaknesses, more valuable than after a disaster like that at Uhud. He continued on the wise course of action, continued to do the right thing and continued to treat people with kindness.
The verse ends by mentioning that one of the qualities loved by Allah is that of tawwakkul or reliance on Him.
Reliance on Him means to do the very best of our ability, to trust the process, to focus on what is in our control. To keep doing the right thing, even when things appear to be going wrong.
And then to leave the outcome to Him.
To have tawakkul is to have faith that if we have acted with truth, sincerity, wisdom and according to what is pleasing to Him, the outcome will always be good for us, even if it does not immediately appear to be so.
The opposite of tawakkul is to succumb to wrongful action when doing the right thing seems too hard in the moment or when we begin to doubt that doing the right thing will lead us to a good outcome.
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