Tawhid and Tawakkul (Reliance)

By: Shaheed Ayatullah Abdul Husain Dastghaib Shirazi
It must be remembered that all the causes are in the hands of the One who is the final cause. Those who believe in the Oneness of Allah (S.w.T.) should rely only upon the Almighty Allah (S.w.T.) for all their affairs. They must realize that all the effects owe their cause to Allah (S.w.T.). Even if all the venues for his success are open he will not achieve success if Allah (S.w.T.)’s will is contrary to it. On the other hand if all the ways of success are closed he will definitely succeed if Allah (S.w.T.) wills. Even if all the means of causing him injury come together no harm shall come if Allah (S.w.T.) intends to protect him.

Tawhid and Acceptance (Taslim)
One who believes in Tawhid should accept all the Divine decrees with humility. He should believe that various factors like honour and dishonour, health and ailments, richness and poverty, death and life are all according to the Divine decree. He should not oppose any of these either by speech or by actions. He should not even express his opinion in such affairs. For example, “Why has this happened? It should have been like this.” Or to say, “Why did it not rain? Why is it so hot?” One should not say, “Why has Allah (S.w.T.) not given me wealth or children?” “Why did such and such person die in his youth and why did the other attained old age?” “Why has Allah (S.w.T.) prohibited this and made obligatory that?”
One who utters such things makes himself a partner in the absolute authority of the Almighty Allah (S.w.T.).
There maybe people who worship the One and only God, establish prayers, pay the Zakat, perform Hajj and also fast during the month of Ramadhan. But if they have any objection against those obligations prescribed by Allah (S.w.T.) or His Prophet (S) and say, “Why was it not this way?” or even if they have such thoughts and do not express them in words, still they are polytheists (mushrikūn).
“But no! by your Lord! they do not believe until they make you a judge of that which has become a matter of disagreement among them, and then do not find any straitness in their hearts as to what you have decided and submit with entire submission.” (Surah an-Nisā’ 4:65)
Allama Majlisi comments, “...any objection against the Divine decree and the utterances of the Pure Imams (a.s.) is tantamount to Shirk.”
Thus it is obligatory for the believers of Tawhid that when they fall into misfortune and calamities they should restrain their tongues and hearts from objecting against the Divine decree. However the weeping and expression of grief at the death of friends and relative is allowed and rather recommended. What is not permitted is to say, “Why has this happened? It should not have happened.”

Tawhid and Love
The worshippers of the unique God should accept that Allah (S.w.T.) is the provider of him and all the existing things. Whatever he gets is due to the beneficence of the Almighty. The apparent causes and the effects are also in control of Allah (S.w.T.). Then it is Him only who deserves unlimited love and attachment. If someone else deserves to be loved it is only due to his being the beloved of Allah (S.w.T.). This is because such a love is itself commanded by Allah (S.w.T.). Divine personalities like the Holy Prophets (a.s.), Imams (a.s.), the angels and the true believers are those whose love is commanded by Allah (S.w.T.).
In the same way, to show attachment to the gifts of Allah (S.w.T.) is allowed if such an attachment would exhibit our thankfulness for the bounties. To love our family, possessions and the worldly life is also worship in this way. However, to love all such things without considering the divine aspect renders one to be a mushrik (polytheist). If one loves something more than he loves Allah (S.w.T.), then it is a kind of Shirk. If he prefers something above the love of Allah (S.w.T.) it is totally Harām. Consequently he becomes liable for punishment. For example if someone loves monetary wealth more than Allah (S.w.T.) then it would be difficult for him to fulfill the religious obligation of Zakat etc. Various ayats of the Qur’an and traditions mention this fact.
1) Someone inquired from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) the meaning of the following verse:
“The day on which property will not avail, nor sons. Except him who comes to Allah with a heart, free (from evil).” (Surah ash-Shūrā 26: 88-89)
Imam (a.s.) replied, “The heart free (from evil) is the one when it meets Allah it does not have the love of anyone but Allah. Every heart which has Shirk and doubt is condemned to be destroyed. (al-Kāfi)
2) Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) states, “By Allah the Imān (faith) of a person cannot be pure till he loves Allah more than his near ones; his mother, his father, children, wife, other people and wealth.” (Safinat’ul-Bihār)
3) During the rule of Prophet Sulaiman (a.s.) a male sparrow told its mate, “Why do you stop me from mating? I possess such might that if I want I could pick up the dome of (the palace) of Hazrat Sulaiman (a.s.) and drop it in the river.” When Hazrat Sulaiman (a.s.) came to know of this, he summoned both the birds and asked the male bird if he could substantiate his claim by putting it into practice. The bird replied that he had only tried to impress his mate by the false claim. He said that he loved his companion hence could not afford to lose her. When Hazrat Sulaiman (a.s.) asked the female bird for her opinion she said that her suitor did not love her and his affections were for someone else. Upon hearing her grievance Hazrat Sulaiman (a.s.) became remorseful. He retired into his prayer niche and did not come out for forty days. He prayed, “O Allah purify the heart of this male bird from the love of everything except his own mate.” (Safinat’ul-Bihār)

Tawhid and Shirk in Obedience
A believer knows that the creator of all is the one and only Allah (S.w.T.) and He also is the only sustainer of all His creatures. He does not have any partner in his Lordship and authority. Such a believer does not regard anyone else fit for obedience, except Allah (S.w.T.). This believer knows that apart from Allah (S.w.T.) none of the existing things could command obedience. They are all helpless before the Might of Allah (S.w.T.). All the creatures are incapable of benefitting themselves, nor can they protect themselves from harm. They do not have any power upon their death and life and neither upon the Day of Judgement and the reckoning “...they control not for themselves any harm or profit, and they control not death, nor life, nor raising (the dead) to life.” (Surah al-Furqān 25:3)
Thus total obedience and Wilāyat is reserved for Allah (S.w.T.) only. However if Allah (S.w.T.) Himself designates someone to be the center of authority then His obedience is also obligatory due to the Divine command.