Allah Almighty says: {When the believers saw the confederates, they said, “This is what Allah and His messenger had promised us, and Allah and His messenger have told the truth.” And it only increased them in faith and submission.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 22] Allah Almighty also says: {Those to whom people said, “Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.” But it only increased them in faith, and they said, “Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the best Protector.” They then returned with grace and bounty of Allah, having suffered no harm. They pursued Allah’s pleasure, and Allah is the Possessor of great bounty.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 173-174] Allah Almighty also says: {Put your trust in the Ever-Living Who never dies} [Surat al-Furqān: 58] Allah Almighty also says: {And in Allah let the faithful put their trust.} [Surat Ibrāhīm: 11] Allah Almighty also says: {But once you have made a decision, put your trust in Allah} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 159] There are many other well-known verses commanding reliance on Allah. Allah Almighty also says: {Whoever puts his trust in Allah, He is sufficient for him} [Surat at-Talāq: 3] Allah Almighty also says: {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.} [Surat al-Anfāl: 2] There are many other well-known verses addressing the merit of reliance on Allah.
Certitude (Yaqīn): it is the strength of faith and firmness of the heart that makes one feel as if he can see with his own eyes what Allah Almighty and His Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) informed us about.
Reliance (Tawakkul): it is the servant’s reliance upon his Lord, Glorified and Exalted, inwardly and outwardly, to bring benefit and fend off harm. Notably, reliance is one of the fruits of certitude.
1) Having good expectations of Allah is a sign of true faith.
2) Sincere reliance on Allah Almighty is a trait of the believers.
3) Allah suffices anyone who relies on Him because He does not disappoint those hopeful of Him. {Is Allah not sufficient for His slave?}
74/1- First: Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “I was shown the nations. I saw a prophet who had a very small group (less than ten) with him, another prophet who was accompanied by only one or two men, and some did not have anyone with them. Suddenly I was shown a huge crowd and I thought that they were my nation, but I was told: ‘This is Mūsa (Moses) and his people, but look this way.’ I looked and beheld a great assemblage. I was told: ‘Now look the other way.’ I looked and beheld a great assemblage. I was told: ‘This is your nation, and with them there are seventy thousand who shall enter Paradise without being taken to account or being punished.’ Then the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) got up and went into his house, and the Companions began to guess who are those people who would enter Paradise without any accounting or torment. Some said: ‘Perhaps they are the ones who kept company with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).’ Others said: ‘Perhaps they are the ones who were born Muslims and never associated anyone with Allah in worship.’ And they made other guesses... The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) then came out and asked, ‘What are you discussing?’ So they told him. He then said: ‘They are those who neither treat with Ruqyah nor ask to be treated by it, nor do they believe in evil omens, and they rely upon their Lord.’ Upon this, ‘Ukkāshah ibn Muhsin stood up and said: ‘Supplicate Allah that He makes me one of them.’ So he (the Messenger of Allah) said: ‘You are one of them.’ Then another man stood up and said: ‘Supplicate Allah that He makes me one of them.’ So he said: ‘Ukkāshah has preceded you.’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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Do not treat with Ruqyah: means they do not recite something by which they seek refuge from the evil of what has happened or is expected to happen.
Regarding the phrase "they do not treat with Ruqyah", scholars of Hadīth said that it is eccentric and no one narrated it except Muslim. In addition, it contradicts the established Prophetic guidance that recommends Ruqyah by means of reciting Ruqyah over oneself or over others, either free of charge for the sake of Allah Almighty or in return for a fee.
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Believe in evil omens: drawing an evil omen from birds (the direction they fly in) and the like.
1) It shows the excellence and status of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) because all the nations were shown before him and his nation is the largest of them on the Day of Judgment.
2) It shows the excellence of reliance on Allah Almighty and placing trust in Him. This exposes the deviance and loss of those who rely on people in things only Allah Almighty is capable of doing, such as securing benefit or fending off harm.
3) One should seize the opportunity to grasp the good fruit just as the venerable Companion ‘Ukkāshah ibn Muhsin (may Allah be pleased with him) did.
4) It makes clear the excellence of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). Whoever follows their path will be guided and whoever deviates from their path will be led astray and misguided.
75/2- Second: Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Allahumma laka aslamtu, wa bika āmantu, wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu, wa ilayka anabtu, wa bika khāsamt. Allahumma inni a‘ūdhu bi‘izzatika la ilāha illa anta an tudillani. Anta al-hayyu alladhi la yamūtu, wal-jinnu wal-insu yamūtūn (O Allah, I surrender to You, I believe in You, I rely upon You, to you I repent, and with Your Help I argue. I seek refuge with Your Might, no deity is worthy of worship except You, that you do not let me go astray. You are The Ever-Living Who never dies, while the jinn and humans die).” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
This is the wording of Muslim while Al-Bukhāri’s version is brief.
To You I repent: means that I returned to worship You and do all that brings me closer to You.
And with Your Help I argue: it means that I seek Your help to argue against Your enemies for Your sake.
1) The obligation of relying on Allah Almighty alone because He possesses all the attributes of perfection. Upon Him alone one must rely, rather than relying on the needy creatures. All of us are in need of Allah and need His help.
2) We should follow the example of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in using those inclusive words in supplication, offering advice, and preaching, because the best guidance is that of Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
76//3 - Third: Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) also said: {“Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the best Protector.”} Abraham said it when he was thrown into the fire, and Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said it when they said: {“Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.” But it only increased them in faith, and they said, “Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the best Protector.”} [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
It another narration by Al-Bukhāri, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) said: “The last thing that Abraham (peace be upon him) said when he was thrown into the fire was: ‘Allah is Sufficient for me, and He is the best Protector.’”
2) Reliance on Allah is the way of all the prophets (peace be upon them). So, one should follow their example in supplication and reliance on Allah because they were the most afflicted of people.
2) It shows the excellence of relying on Allah Almighty during times of difficulty and adversity.
Some ignorant people, who attached their hearts to other than Allah Almighty, go during times of adversity and affliction to seek the help of created beings and supplicate other than Allah to alleviate these adversities. By Allah, such action is the ultimate form of loss and failure, and it is at this point that faith is extinguished in their hearts. A person who is keen on preserving the light of faith shining in his heart must have hope in Allah Almighty, the Creator, and sever hope in creatures.
77/4 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Some people will enter Paradise who have hearts like the hearts of birds.” [Narrated by Muslim]
This was interpreted to mean that they fully rely on Allah, or that their hearts are gentle.
1) Reliance on Allah and gentleness of the heart are causes to enter Paradise and enjoy its bliss.
2) It shows the description of the people of Paradise; it is every person who has a gentle compassionate heart.
78/5- Fifth: Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I went on an expedition with the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in the direction of Najd. When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) returned, I also returned with him. Then, the time for the mid-day sleep came upon us while we were in a valley full of prickly shrubs. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) dismounted and the people scattered around seeking shade under the trees. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) hung his sword on the branch of a tree, and we all took a nap. All of a sudden, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) called us, and lo! There was a Bedouin near him. He (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “This man brandished my sword over me while I was asleep. I woke up and saw it in his hand unsheathed. He said: ‘Who will protect you from me?’ I replied: ‘Allah,’ thrice.” He did not punish him and sat down. [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
In another version: Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “We were in the company of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) during the Battle of Dhāt al-Riqā‘. We came across a shady tree and we left it for the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) to take rest under its shade. A man from the polytheists came while the Prophet’s sword was hanging on the tree. He unsheathed it and said (to the Prophet): ‘Are you afraid of me?’ The Prophet said: ‘No.’ He said: ‘Who can save you from me?’ The Prophet replied: ‘Allah.’”
In the version narrated by Abu Bakr al-Ismā‘īli in his Sahīh, the polytheist said: “Who will protect you from me?” The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) replied: “Allah.” As soon as he said this, the sword fell from his hand and the Messenger of Allah, catching the sword, asked him: “Who will protect you from me?” He said: “Please forgive me.” The Messenger of Allah said: “Do you bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah?” He said: “No, but I promise you that I shall not fight against you, nor shall I be with a people who fight against you.” The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) let him go. The man then went back to his fellow tribesmen and said: “I have come to you from one who is the best of mankind.”
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1) It shows the consequences of relying on Allah Almighty in terms of salvation from adversities and alleviation of distress.
2) It manifests the forgiveness of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), his generosity of spirit, not taking revenge for himself, his farsighted decision-making, and his adequate treatment of human souls to attract them to the truth. Accordingly, we must follow his Sunnah and guidance, because the best of guidance is that of Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him): {Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example}
79/6- Sixth: ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “If only you relied on Allah the way you should, He would provide for you as He provides for birds; they set out hungry in the morning and return satiated in the evening.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, he classified it as Hasan (sound)]
It means that the birds start their day hungry with empty bellies and return full by the end of the day.
1) Pursuing the means to secure provision is indicative of one’s true reliance on Allah Almighty.
2) Genuine reliance on Allah Almighty is the dependence of the heart and sincere delegation of affairs to Allah Almighty with certitude.
80/7 - Seventh: Abu ‘Umārah al-Barā’ ibn ‘Āzib (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “O so-and-so, whenever you go to bed, say: ‘Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilayk, wa wajjahtu wajhi ilayk, wa fawwadtu amri ilayk, wa alja’tu zahri ilayk, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayka, la malja’a wa la manja minka illa ilayk, āmantu bikitābik al-ladhi anzalt, wa nabiyyik al-ladhi arsalt (O Allah, I have submitted myself to You, I have turned my face to You, I have entrusted my affairs to You, I have committed my back to You, expecting Your reward and fearing Your punishment. There is no refuge and no place of safety from You but with You. I believe in the Book You have revealed and in the Prophet You have sent). If you die that night, you would die upon the true religion; and if you are alive in the morning, you receive a good reward.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
In another version also narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim, Al-Barā’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: “When you go to bed, perform ablution like the one you make for prayer, then lie on your right side and say: ‘[He said the aforementioned supplications]’ Then, he said: ‘Make them the last thing you say.’”
1) One of the traits of genuine believers is their resort to Allah Almighty in all their affairs.
2) It guides to the renewal of one’s promise to Allah, Glorified and Exalted, every night, and to solidify faith in word and deed.
3) It is recommended to sleep while ritually pure and to say those words last before sleeping.
81/8- Eighth: Abu Bakr al-Siddīq ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Uthmān ibn ‘Āmir ibn ‘Umar ibn Ka‘b ibn Taym ibn Murrah ibn Ka‘b ibn Lu’ay ibn Ghālib al-Qurashi al-Taymi (may Allah be pleased with him, his father and his mother who were also Companions) reported: “When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and I were in the cave (of Thawr) and I saw the feet of the polytheists who were above us at the mouth of the cave (on the eve of the Emigration), I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! If one of them were to look down below his feet, he would see us!’ He said: ‘O Abu Bakr, what do you think of two persons the third of whom is Allah?’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) It shows the complete reliance of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) on Allah Almighty and his absolute trust in Allah, Glorified and Exalted.
2) One must train his self to completely rely on Allah Almighty, because this gives rise to certitude, which, once it enters the heart, it drives out fear from anyone but Allah, Glorified and Exalted, such that one says and does only what is right without fearing blame from anyone.
3) It shows the merit of Abu Bakr al-Siddīq (may Allah be pleased with him) as he is the best of the Companions, second to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). Allah, Glorified and Exalted, chose him for the company of His Prophet and eternalized his praise in Quranic verses to be recited until the Day of Judgment.
82/9- Ninth: The Mother of the Believers Umm Salamah Hind bint Abu Umayyah Huthayfah al-Makhzūmiyyahـ (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that whenever the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) left his house, he would say: “Bismillah, tawakkaltu ‘ala-Allah, Allahumma inni a‘ūdhu bika an adilla aw udal, aw azilla aw uzal, aw azhlima aw uzhlam, aw ajhala aw yujhala ‘alayy (In the name of Allah, I rely on Allah. O Allah, I seek refuge with You lest I should go astray or cause someone to go astray, slip or cause someone to slip, do injustice or have injustice done against me, or act foolishly or be treated foolishly).” [Classified as Sahīh (authentic); narrated by Abu Dāwūd, Al-Tirmidhi, and others, with authentic Isnād] Al-Tirmidhi classified it as Hasan Sahīh (sound and authentic). This is the wording of Abu Dāwūd.
83/10 - Tenth: Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever says – i.e. when leaving his house – ‘Bismillah, tawakkaltu ‘ala-Allah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah’ (In the name of Allah; I rely on Allah; there is no might and no power save in Allah), it will be said to him: ‘You are guided, sufficed, and protected’, and the devil will move out of his way.” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, Al-Tirmidhi, Al-Nasā’i, and others] Al-Tirmidhi classified it as Hasan (sound). The narration by Abu Dāwūd has the following addition: “So one devil will say to another: ‘How can you deal with a man who has been guided, sufficed, and protected?’”
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Slip here means error.
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1) It instructs consistent reliance on Allah Almighty, seeking protection in Him, and supplicating him to bring benefit and fend off harm.
2) The individual should fortify himself with the authentic Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) taught to us by the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and aoivd Dhikr innovated by people, because blessings and goodness come about only through following what is reported from the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
The individual cannot properly employ the reported Prophetic Dhikr unless he knows it, for knowledge precedes words and deeds. We must learn what our Lord sent us in the revelation so that we rejoice in it and dispense with it, and desert what we inherited of innovated Dhikr.
{Follow [O mankind] what has been sent down to you from your Lord, and do not follow any guardians besides Him. Little it is that you take heed!} [Al-‘Arāf: 3]
84/11- Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “There were two brothers during the time of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). One of them used to come to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and the other used to work to earn a living. Once, the working brother complained to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) about his brother. Thereupon, he said: “Perhaps you are granted sustenance because of him.’” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi with an authentic Isnād that meets the criteria set by Muslim]
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1) It encourages providing aid to scholars and knowledge seekers.
2) It shows that providing for the knowledge seekers is one of the keys to sustenance.
3) It urges supporting a group of the community to seek knowledge and learn the religion thoroughly.