Page 77 - The Basic Concepts in the Qur’an

situation and then putting the rest in the care of Allah”. But the concept of “taking as guardian
and helper” conveys rather more than this. It means leaving the entire course of events and
their consequences in Allah’s change.
At this point, we must avoid an essential misconception: putting the course of events in the
care of Allah in no way means avoidance of becoming involved in daily affairs. On the
contrary, a believer deals with every stage of a problem or event, shouldering all
responsibilities. Indeed, the true meaning of “trust in Allah” lies in being totally aware that
everything we experience and everything we do takes place under Allah’s control; that is why
believers take the initiative in anything they undertake by “taking Him as a guardian and
helper.”
The prayers of the prophets recounted in the Qur’an instruct us about the significance of
this subject. In the Surat’Al-Naml, the Prophet Solomon says: “O my Lord! Order me, so that I
may be grateful for Your favours, which you have bestowed on me and on my parents, and so
that I may do the good works that will please You. And admit me, by Your Grace, to the ranks
of Your righteous servants.” (Al-Naml, 19). This prayer explicitly reveals that Solomon is aware
that he can perform his tasks only if Allah so wills and asks Him to give His approval when he
becomes committed to action.
This is actually the rationale lying behind “trust in Allah.” A believer is well aware that
both the external world and his soul are entities completely under the control of Allah.
Accordingly, he submits himself—his soul—to His Almighty Creator. Consequently, a believer
becomes exceedingly brave; so brave as to challenge the whole world all alone yet calm and
confident as if there were no besetting dangers. The kind of attitude a believer shows in times of
trouble and difficulty is described in many stories of the Qur’an. That of the Prophet Noah is
one of them:
Relate to them the story of Noah. He said to his people: “O my people, if it offends you
that I should stay with you and commemorate the signs of Allah, in Allah have I put my trust.So,
muster all your idols and decide upon your course of action. Do not intrigue in secret.Then
pass your sentence on me, and give me no respite.If you turn back, I asked of you no
recompense; my reward is only with Allah, and I have been commanded to be of those who
submit to Allah's will (in Islam). (Jonah, 71-72)
Shu’aib, too, assumed the same attitude towards his people:
He said: “O my people! If I have a clear sign from my Lord, and He has given me
sustenance pure and good as from Himself should I not guide you? I do not wish, in
opposition to you, to do that which I forbid you to do. I only desire (your) betterment
to the best of my ability and my success (in my task) can come only from Allah. In
Him I trust, and Him I turn in repentance.
(Hud, 88)

In many other verses in the Qur’an, trust in Allah and the perseverance the believers
display is likewise stressed:
But if they turn away, say: “Allah suffices to me: there is no god but He: in Him I put
my trust. He the Supreme Lord of the throne of glory!”
(Al-Tawba, 129)

For true believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their
hearts, and as they listen to His revelations, they find their faith strengthened, and put
all their trust in their Lord.