Reliance in Allah’s ﷻ Plan

By Rabiya Kulsoom

Introduction

One of the six articles of faith consists of believing in Allah’s ﷻ decree (destiny), in which,

‘Allah ﷻ has ordained the measures of the creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, as His Throne was upon water’. Sahih Muslim 2653

Allah ﷻ is Al-‘Aleem (The All-Knowing)

Allah is الْعَلِيمُ (Al-A’leem). He has all knowledge of the seen and unseen, apparent and hidden, present and future, near and far. As stated in the Qur’an,

“Not a leaf falls but that He knows it.” Surah Al An’am 6:59

This verse provides peace and comfort to those who are constantly anxious about ambiguous life events. Just as Allah ﷻ knows when a leaf will fall, He also knows where you will be in ten years and the grief, happiness, and success you’ll go through. Therefore, instead of thinking about what will happen, submit all your worries to Allah ﷻ. By doing this, you have firm belief that Allah ﷻ will take care of all your difficulties. As Allah ﷻ stated in the Qur’an,

“And whosoever puts his trust in Allah ﷻ, then He will suffice him.” Surah At Talaq 65:3

The Concept of Qadr and Divine Decree

‘Ubādah ibn As-Sāmit (RA) said to his son:"O Son, you will not taste true faith until you know that whatever has come to you would never have missed you, and that whatever has missed you would never have come to you. I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:

‘The first thing Allah ﷻ created was the Pen. He commanded it to write. It said: "My Lord, what shall I write?" He said: "Write down what has been ordained for all things until the establishment of the Hour." Sunan Abu Dawud 2700

This pen then wrote on the Lauh Mahfouz 50,000 years before the heavens and the earth were created. In this regard, Allah ﷻ says,

“Do you not know that Allah ﷻ knows what is in the heaven and earth? Indeed, that is in a Record.” Surah Al Hajj 22:70

Ibn ‘Atiyyah said that the ‘record’ in this verse refers to the preserved tablet. Your livelihood, sustenance, and time of death are all recorded in this preserved tablet. Everything that has happened in your life and what will happen is all recorded.

Trust in Allah ﷻ and Tawakkul

Qadr allows us to have tawakkul in Allah ﷻ. Although we may see the door to our solution open, Allah ﷻ has a far greater plan in which we may not understand, but ultimately, it’s better for us.

“Perhaps you hate a thing, and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing, and it is bad for you. And Allah ﷻ knows, while you know not.” Surah Al Baqarah 2:216

For example, you may want a specific job or get married to a particular person; however, it does not work out because Allah ﷻ knows there is something better for you, and He is testing your patience through these events. When people face difficulties in life, they frequently ask themselves, "Why me?" However, Allah ﷻ has selected every individual to go through different trials.

“It is He who created death and life to test which of you are best in deeds, for He is the Almighty, the Forgiving.” Surah Mulk 67:2

The Role of Trials and Adversity

Calamities allow us to grow closer to Allah ﷻ and learn to rely solely on Him in all circumstances. Additionally, when unpredictable circumstances come our way, we start to doubt the Power of Allah ﷻ or whether our du’as will be accepted. However, Allah ﷻ says:

“He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth; whenever He decrees a matter, He (merely) says: ‘Be,’ and it is.” Surah Al Baqarah 2:117

This verse clearly emphasizes that when Allah’s ﷻ wills for something, it will happen, and nothing is impossible for Allah ﷻ as He is الرَّزَّاق (Al-Razzaq), the Provider. The du’as that a person makes can be answered now, later, or in the hereafter, but Allah ﷻ will grant the du’a at the right time.

Prophet’s Examples of Patience and Faith

We have many role models in Islam who went through trials but still had hope in Allah ﷻ and His plan.

“How many of the Prophets fought (in Allah’s ﷻ way), and with them (fought) large bands of [religious] men? But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in Allah’s ﷻ way, nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in. And Allah ﷻ Loves.” Surah Al-Imran 3:146

For example, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was put into the fire, but he trusted Allah ﷻ. The Qur’an tells us how the fire became cool for Ibrahim,

“But we said fire, be cool and safe for Ibrahim.” Surah Anbiya 21:69

This is a reminder that we may not know the meaning behind Allah’s ﷻ plan, but whatever Allah ﷻ ordains will happen and highlights that Allah ﷻ is the source of Aid. With His guidance, we can overcome adversity.

The Purpose of Life’s Struggles

Imagine there were no difficulties in life? What would be its purpose? The Prophet ﷺ said,

“When Allah loves a servant, He tests him.” Jami’ Al-Tirmidhi 2396

Allah puts us through trials to improve ourselves spiritually and mentally. Accept this struggle as a gift from Allah ﷻ, an opportunity to better yourself and your relationship with Him. The closer you are to Him, the stronger your faith will become. Through these trials, we are constantly reminded that this world is not our final destination.

“Surely to Allah ﷻ we belong and to Him we will all return.” Surah Al Baqarah 2:156

The Power of Du’a (Supplication)

Among the most powerful weapons that a believer holds is prayer and supplication. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Nothing repels the divine decree but supplication, and nothing increases lifespan but righteousness.” Ibn Majah 90

Du’a has the power to alter not only this life but also the next. Be thankful to Allah ﷻ for allowing you to make du’a rather than worrying about how He would respond. If Allah ﷻ allows your tongue to ask for something, then be assured that Allah ﷻ desires to give you something.

We must put our faith in Allah ﷻ since He is able to see what is hidden and understands what is best for us. Allah ﷻ listens to the voice of the believer. As humans, we are so quick to want everything to go right, but we forget that we are not the drivers of our life. It is Allah ﷻ who is in full control of where He wants us to be. So, trust Allah ﷻ because He is the best of Helpers, the best of planners, and the best of guiders. As stated in the Qur’an:

“They plan, and Allah ﷻ plans… Allah ﷻ is the best of planners.” Surah Al Anfal 8:30

Rabiya kulsoom,

University student and currently studying Alimiyyah Course

with Shaykh Faizulhaq Abdulaziz Hafizahullah.