How can one combine effort with reliance on God (Tawakkul)?

In the rich and comprehensive teachings of the Holy Quran, a profound and guiding concept for human life is presented, addressing simultaneously the importance of effort and striving, as well as reliance and trust in the eternal essence of God. These two concepts, 'effort' (expressed in the Quran through terms like 'action,' 'striving,' 'Jihad,' and 'earning by one's own hand') and 'Tawakkul' (sincere reliance on God), are not contradictory; rather, they are complementary and mutually essential. The Holy Quran clearly demonstrates that the path to salvation and success lies in combining these two vital elements. A believing individual is encouraged to exert their utmost effort in pursuing their legitimate goals, while at the same time entrusting the outcome and culmination of their endeavors to Divine wisdom and providence. Effort and striving are fundamental pillars of life from a Quranic perspective. Allah Almighty encourages humanity to work, strive, and utilize the blessings of the earth in numerous verses. For instance, in Surah An-Najm, verse 39, He states: “And that there is not for man except what he strives for.” This verse explicitly declares that whatever a person achieves is the product of their own effort and diligence. Furthermore, in Surah Al-Jumu'ah, verse 10, we read: “And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse through the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed.” This verse commands believers that after completing the prayer (which is a great act of worship), they should spread out in the land to seek provision and benefit from Allah's bounty, and strive. This emphasis on the necessity of effort and striving indicates that Islam is a dynamic and active religion that does not condone idleness or laziness. Humans are responsible for utilizing their talents and resources and taking steps to achieve their goals. On the other hand, reliance on God (Tawakkul) means absolute dependence on Him after all possible efforts have been made. Tawakkul does not mean that one should sit idly by and wait for sustenance or success to fall from the sky. Rather, Tawakkul is the pinnacle of spiritual knowledge and heartfelt certainty, where after employing all apparent means and causes, one entrusts the results to the powerful and wise hand of God. The Holy Quran states in Surah At-Talaq, verse 3: “And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.” This verse presents a beautiful and comforting picture of Tawakkul: whoever trusts in Allah, Allah will be sufficient for him. This means that if a person fulfills their duty correctly and then commits their heart to God, there is no need to worry about the future or be anxious about outcomes, because they know that Allah is the best planner of affairs. Combining these two concepts is the key to true success and tranquility. First, one must plan meticulously, acquire the necessary tools and knowledge, and strive with utmost diligence and persistence. This stage is 'effort' and 'striving.' After exhausting all one's capacities and, so to speak, 'releasing one's arrows,' it is time for 'Tawakkul.' At this stage, the believer knows that although they have done their part, countless other factors influence the final outcome, factors beyond their power and control. It is here that with a reassured heart and a calm spirit, they entrust the outcome to Allah. This Tawakkul grants them peace, ensuring that even if the desired outcome is not achieved, despair does not set in, for they know that Divine wisdom lies behind the veil, and there might be a good in that non-achievement of which they are unaware. This approach frees a person from the anxieties stemming from over-attachment to results and allows them to approach future endeavors with an open mind and a reassured heart. The coexistence of effort and Tawakkul makes an individual more resilient in the face of setbacks and more humble in the face of victories. One who strives with Tawakkul knows that success is from God's bounty and not merely from their own cleverness; and if they fail, they know that this too is part of Divine decree and a lesson for them. This outlook brings about freedom from arrogance in success and prevention of despair in failure. For this reason, Islam never advises laziness or completely entrusting affairs to God without any effort. Instead, it always emphasizes that true Tawakkul always occurs after the utmost effort and the utilization of all possible means and resources. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also emphasized this balance in numerous narrations; for example, the story of a man who left his camel untied, saying he was relying on God, to which the Prophet replied, “Tie it and then rely on God,” is a striking example of this teaching. This short sentence summarizes the essence of this Quranic wisdom: physical and apparent effort is a prerequisite for true Tawakkul, and without it, Tawakkul loses its meaning and transforms into laziness and incompetence. This is how a believer, with hands full of effort and a heart full of Tawakkul, steps towards their goals, knowing that Allah is the best supporter and guide.