Surrender
“Place your trust in Allah. Surely, Allah loves those who place their trust in Him.”
Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:159
The concept of ‘tawakkul’ (surrender through reliance on God) is deeply embedded in Islamic faith. It stems from the belief that while humans are encouraged to make efforts, plan, and take actions in their lives; the ultimate outcome is within God’s hands.
Surrendering through ‘tawakkul’ brings numerous benefits. It eases anxiety by encouraging us to give our best efforts, but to release the worry about the outcomes. ‘Tawakkul’ instills inner peace by surrendering to the Divine plan. It also promotes a mindset of patience and contentment, even in the midst of challenges, recognizing that God is the ultimate source of support and guidance.
Interestingly, while ‘tawakkul’ emphasizes reliance on God, it doesn’t negate the importance of taking initiative and making efforts. You are encouraged to strive, work hard, and plan for the future. ‘Tawakkul’ complements these efforts by acknowledging that outcomes are not within our control.
‘Tawakkul’ is the moment your heart exhales, knowing you are held by a wisdom far greater than your plans. When you trust, life begins to move with an ease that is orchestrated by God, allowing you your life to become the music. Listen to what God is whispering in your heart and just take the step you need to take today. Don’t worry about the rest.
“Surrender is the courage to let go of what we think we have to become who we really are.”
Oprah Winfrey
Start your day by saying:
“توكلت على الله ولا حول ولا قوة الا بالله”
“I have placed my trust in Allah, and there is no might nor power except with Allah.”
Think of a current goal in your life. Write down the next steps you will take, then close your eyes and pray to God to help you achieve that goal.
Each time you face difficulty today, pause. Take a deep breath and internally affirm your trust in Allah. Let that trust transform anxiety into calm.
Before you sleep, lie down with open body language and close your eyes.
Breathe in and out deeply a few times. Imagine yourself surrendering to God.
Let yourself go and feel God’s peace infusing your body as it relaxes from head to toe.
“Some people make the mistake of confusing “submission” with “weakness”, whereas it is anything but. Submission is a form of peaceful acceptance of the terms of the universe including the things we are currently unable to change or comprehend.”
The Forty Rules of Love – Elif Shafak
“We feel an intense need for external power. The need for approval, the need to control things, and the need for external power are needs that are based on fear. This kind of power is not the power of pure potentiality, or the power of the Self, or real power. When we experience the power of the Self, there is an absence of fear, there is no compulsion to control, and no struggle for approval or external power.”
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success – Deepak Chopra
