What is Tawakkul?

The essence of faith is built upon this very important ability; reliance and trust in Allah.

Tawakkul, in the Arabic language, is the word for the Islamic concept of the reliance on God or "trusting in God's plan". It can also be referred to as God-consciousness. In fact, the Qur'an speaks of the fact that success is only achieved when trust is placed only with God and the believer is steadfast and obedient to God.

We may often trust a person, without necessarily depending upon them, and likewise, we may depend upon a person without fully trusting them. However, when it comes to our Lord, The Almighty, both exist simultaneously in perfection. So why are we so ready to trust others, but so quick to question Allah?

The 10th-century Arab scholar and theologian, Imam al-Qushayri, writes that someone that trusts in God is like a baby seeking its mother's milk and always finds it. He says that just like the infant, the one who trusts God is always led to God.