Tawakkaltu Ala Allah

Put your Trust in Allah (SWT)

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

NOTE TO READER:

This write up is just as personal opinion, anyone who finds a fault in it please do correct me
and I pray that Allah may forgive me for any misconception that I make. I would really be
open to your corrections, as well as your views that are supported by Quran and Hadith.

INTRODUCTION

One might not have full confidence of putting his trust in Allah until he knows that indeed if
Allah commands and one adhering to it finds a benefit,then it is not out of coincidence.
Also, eliminating the concept of coincidence helps in instilling the love of Allah in the heart
of a person, because he gets to know that anything good and bad is from Allah. In my
opinion both of them are good because bad usually turns out to be something that prevents
you from danger. A good example to support this is a person who misses his flight because
of Sallah and gets frustrated and unhappy. Afterwards, he gets news that the plane that he
was going to board crashed, and immediately frustration turns to happiness and love for
Allah if the person acknowledges that it is Allah (SWT) that protected him. There are many
real life events that are similar to this. Furthermore, Allah says in the Quran

“…and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for
you. Allaah knows but you do not know.”

(Surah Baqarah: 216)

Al-Hasan al-Basri said: “Do not resent the calamities that come and the disasters that occur, for perhaps
in something that you dislike will be your salvation, and perhaps in something that you prefer will be your
doom.”

This article starts by proving the falsehood in the concept of coincidence and later on talks about why we
should submit to the laws of Allah, even if we don’t really understand why. Finally, it concludes the topic by
restating summarized examples that should be enough reason for us to put our trust in Allah.

There is no such thing as coincidence

First thing is first; there is certainly no way a thing such as coincidence could exist. I used to
believe in coincidence, but after listening to lecture from Sheikh Khaleed Yasin on the topic, “The Purpose
of life”, the made-up concept that has been an excuse for some scientist to disbelieve suddenly
disappeared. How could it be that a big-bang that occurred lead to series of events that would lead to
creation of earth out of coincidence? Let’s take the example that Khaleed Yasin made (May Allah reward
the brother), Consider a bag filled with snooker balls, containing all the balls from one to nine. Could you
pull out –in series (ascending order) - from snooker ball number one (1) to snooker ball number nine (9)
out of the bag without missing a single step .i.e. making the mistake of pulling out a ball number 4 instead
of ball number 3? Well according to math you have a chance of (1/9 * 1/8 * 1/7 * 1/6 …1).

Which is 2.76x10-4 - if I calculated it right? Considering this then what are the chances that a non-Muslim
meets up with a pious Muslim, making him\her to be curious about Islam, then leading to him becoming a
Muslim is no coincidence. Don’t forget the distorted picture of the Muslims that the media is showing
today.
Let’s take another example, suppose that you during you graduation, you exchanged numbers with
friends, took photos of each other, threw your hat’s and so on. One day, you felt it has been so long since
you met one of your close friends and you called him to arrange a reunion with him, which you succeeded
in doing. You tore out a sticky note and wrote the date, time, and venue of the place you agreed upon.

Finally the day arrives and you leave before that time to the venue. Upon meeting other, would you ever
think that it was a coincidence? Certainly not, you definately wouldn’t shout out “What a coincidence?”

The reason is because you arranged it, so it registers to you as something that should be expected and
anything that we expect certainly, we don’t call it coincidence.

Another crucial thing to ask oneself is that where did the urge to meet up with your friend come from and
why at that time? Let’s add to the story, and say that when you met up with your friend he was in need of
something and at that time you had it –what he needs – with you. Certainly because we have no
knowledge of it, then we don’t expect it and since we don’t expect it, we call it coincidence.

Additionally, we can further affirm that the there is no such thing as coincidence from one of the hadith
Narrated by Sahl bin Sa'd

“There was a man who fought most bravely of all the Muslims on behalf of the Muslims in a
battle (Ghazwa) in the company of the Prophet. The Prophet looked at him and said. "If
anyone would like to see a man from the people of the Fire, let him look at this (brave
man)." On that, a man from the People (Muslims) followed him, and he was in that state
i.e., fighting fiercely against the pagans till he was wounded, and then he hastened to end
his life by placing his sword between his breasts (and pressed it with great force) till it came
out between his shoulders. Then the man (who was watching that person) went quickly to
the Prophet and said, "I testify that you are Allah's Apostle!" The Prophet asked him, "Why
do you say that?" He said, "You said about so-and-so, 'If anyone would like to see a man
from the people of the Fire, he should look at him.' He fought most bravely of all of us on
behalf of the Muslims and I knew that he would not die as a Muslim (Martyr). So when he
got wounded, he hastened to die and committed suicide." There-upon the Prophet said, "A
man may do the deeds of the people of the Fire while in fact he is one of the people of
Paradise, and he may do the deeds of the people of Paradise while in fact he belongs to
the people of Fire, and verily, (the rewards of) the deeds are decided by the last actions
(deeds)".
Furthermore, we also know as Muslims that Allah has written everything that is to happen in the book of
Decrees, “Al-lauh Al-Mahfuz”, (refer to the ayah’s below)and the inks have dried. Also, noting that all that
has been destined was not by drawing lots, or throwing dices. How then can we call things that have been
destined to happen coincidences simply because we don’t know what Allah’s plans are?

“And everything small and big is written down (in Al-lauh Al-mahfuz already beforehand i.e.
before it befalls, or is done by its doer.”

(Quran Al-Qamar: 53).

“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees
(Al-lauh Al-Mahfuz) before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah.”

(Quran Al-Hadid: 22)

We perceive executed plans of Allah (SWT) of which we did not expect to be coincidence. Instead, it is in
reality Qadar of Allah –Something that was meant to happen.
Additionally, it is not logical to assume that the events happening in the same time frame –which we call
coincidence-, are just out of chance. A simple proof for that is that we assume that that a line is an event,
and we try to establish two different events (event 1, event 2) which could really be any event you could
think of. For example event 1 could be a state of being needy of a person (let’s say person A), and event
2 could be a state of wanting to interact with person A by another person (person B). If we were to
picture that while person A was in a state of being needy, he made du’a to Allah (SWT) and person B at
that point in time (T1 – refer to diagram below) was wealthy. Additionally, person B also just feels the
urge to call and meet up with person A at that point in time (T1) (where person A was in a state of need
and has made du’a to Allah (SWT) for help). Supposing that person B (wealthy) successfully called
person A (needy) and they got to arrange a meet and also person B after a little time happened to give
help to person B without him even asking for it.

Would we call this series of perfectly timed events to be coincidence? No, that would be illogical and
have no bases. It is Allah (SWT) who already knows that person A would be needy and would make du’a,
and Allah (SWT) has helped him through his servant (person B). Allah is the Greatest!!! We have only little
knowledge about this type of things that happen and Allah knows best how he plans and alleviates the
suffering of people, this was just a simple example to prove the point.

Seems Strange? But they always have a reason

There are some matters of the religion that might seem strange to us. I would admit I used to see some of
the matter’s as strange and I think I still do on some, but no matter what it is best to it is best to stick to
what Allah (SWT) commands us to do. He (SWT) knows what is best for us, and if He (SWT), commands
us to abstain from something or to do something and we find it strange; it is absolutely normal. One
reason could be that the reason has to do with knowledge that we don’t posses as humans; another could
be that as an individual Allah has not made it clear for us yet. Perhaps this story would prove the concept
of why it is absolutely normal for us to find some matter strange.

Let’s take this example of a scientist and his helper in the laboratory. A Scientist hired a helper who had
very little knowledge of science. On hiring, the helper was given a lab manual, which contains a couple
rules that are meant to ensure the safety of the helper.

The helper took a sit and started reading the manual, the first rule was to always come in all geared up.
“Understandable”, he thought. The second read, “Do not eat or drink in the lab”. He read through all of the
rules but didn’t quite get the reason for one particular rule. It read, “… Never mix water to acid instead mix
acid to water”.

Having very little knowledge of science, the helper was puzzled. Why it is that acid can be mixed to water
and water cannot be mixed to acid. He walked up to the scientist still trying to find the reason as to why
this was ordered.

“Why is it that it can be mixed this way and it cannot be mixed the other way around?” the helper asked.
The scientist smiled and thought for a while on how to explain it in layman. “The lab manual is aimed at
ensuring your safety, right?” he asked and the helper replied in affirmative. “So if it tells you not to do
something a certain way, it is because it would harm you, right?” he asked again and the helper replied in
the affirmative. Finally things were starting to clear up for the helper. “So it was ordered that one would be
safe from the harm from the result of mixing it that way i.e. water to acid. Right?” The helper asked to
confirm his conclusion and the scientist affirmed it with a nod and a wide smile.

This example proves that it is perfectly ok for some matter’s to seem strange to us because we are
incomparable knowledge levels with Allah. Allah (SWT) is the All Knower, and Most Compassionate. We
on the other have insignificant knowledge compared to that of Allah, just like the helper though the
example is in no way meant to be an exact analogy, but just to show that it is ok not to grasp the reason
of some matters.

Another thing I would like to point out in the story is that the scientist didn’t really tell him the reason as to
why water should not be mixed with acid, because he knows that he has very little knowledge and would
not understand the complex things that happen down to the ion level which leads to explosion as a result
of that mixing procedure. Instead he encapsulated its complexity and advised him to put his trust in what
is said. Some matters are bound to be beyond us, but there is always a reason why that matter was
commanded.

Another example of “seem strange” matters that is almost an exact analogy of mixing acid to water but
not water to acid is that it is permissible for Muslim men to marry non-Muslims women from the people of
the book (i.e. Jews, Christians) but it is not permissible for Muslim women to marry non-Muslims even if
they are from the people of the book. It is a very similar “seem strange” example, but there is a reason
behind it. Most people give different opinions but I think it is best to stick to the fact that Allah (SWT)
knows better what the reason is and it is certainly better for us that way. Let’s take a look at more stories
which Insha’Allah will prove that.

During the time of pharaoh in Egypt, it was ordered that all the baby boys of the Israelites to be killed.
However we learn from the story that Allah (SWT) instructed Musa’s Mother (May Allah be pleased with
them) to put Musa (Peace be upon him) into a wooden basket and put him in the Nile river.
“So We sent this inspiration to the mother of Moses: "Suckle (thy child) but when thou hast
fears about him cast him, into the river, but fear not nor grieve: for We shall restore him to
thee, and We shall make him one of Our messengers."

(Quran Al-Qasas: 7)

She (Musa’s mother) did as she was instructed though with worry but had trust in Allah (SWT). What we
learn latter on in the story is that the current of the Nile took Musa’s basket to home of Pharaoh where his
wife admired him and they adopted him.

“Now the wife of Pharaoh said: “A joy to the eye [could this child be] for me and thee! Slay
him not: he may well be of use to us, or we may adopt him as a son!” And they had no
presentiment [of what he was to become].”

(Surah Qasas: 9)

Afterwards we find that Musa (PBUH) refused for anyone to suckle him but his mother and so Allah
(SWT) said …

“Now from the very beginning We caused him to refuse the breast of [Egyptian] nurses;
and [when his sister came to know this,] she said: “Shall I guide you to a family that might
rear him for you, and look after him with good will?”

(Surah Qasas: 12)

“And thus We restored him to his mother, so that her eye might he gladdened, and that she
might grieve no longer, and that she might know that God’s promise always comes true -
even though most of them know it not!”

(Surah Qasas: 13)

The point we learn from this story is that when Allah commands for something to be done, there is a
reason for it. Also, apart from pleasing Allah by following his command, one gets the benefit that comes
with.

Finally, let’s look at the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Peace Be Upon him) and Hajar (May Allah
be pleased with her) which Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) left Hajar (may Allah be
pleased with her) and his son Ismail (Peace be upon him) in the desert being obedient to
Allah’s (SWT) command. Though this would seem strange, but the prophet Ibrahim (may
Allah be pleased with him) obeyed it. Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her) called out to
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) asking if he would leave them in a place like that
(desert), but he did not answer nor turn back. However when she asked if it was if it was
Allah that commanded him he answered in positive, it was then that she was at peace
putting her trust in Allah.

We should try to put ourselves in that situation, and reflect on it. Although it might have
been strange to them, they obeyed because they had put their trust in Allah (SWT).

After Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) had left, Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him), then a little baby,
started crying. Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her) rushed, looking for water. She would
climb up mount As-saffa and then move to mount marwa in search of water, and this
continued for a while until Angel Jibril descended and was digging the ground, making water
to gush out from beneath the feet of Ismail (peace be upon him). Hajar rushed to the place
and was trying to enclose it, perhaps that it shouldn’t spread out and dry up. We learn that
some tribe, by the name of Jurhum, was drawn to the place, and after negotiating with Hajar,
they settled together.

The main point that I want to make in narrating this story is that, though it might have been
strange for Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and he might have not known the reason,
he did it. Also, another thing to note is that when Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her)
heard that it was Allah (SWT) command, she was at ease and put her trust in Allah.

In Conclusion, we have gone through the examples and facts that nullify the concept of
coincidence, and proved that Allah (SWT) is the One who has decried everything to happen,
both good and bad. This was done so that we see that indeed if we follow the law of Allah
and we find benefit to it then it’s from Allah, and if find bad in it then it also has some
wisdom behind it.

We have also proved that knowledge gap between us and Allah, which is unimaginable, is
what will make it only normal that we don’t understand something but accept it and put our
trust in Him.

“He it is who has bestowed upon thee from on high this divine writ, containing messages
that are clear in and by themselves - and these are the essence of the divine writ - as well
as others that are allegorical. [5] Now those whose hearts are given to swerving from the
truth go after that part of the divine writ [6] which has been expressed in allegory, seeking
out [what is bound to create] confusion, [7] and seeking [to arrive at] its final meaning [in
an arbitrary manner]; but none save God knows its final meaning. [8] Hence, those who are
deeply rooted in knowledge say: "We believe in it; the whole [of the divine writ] is from our
Sustainer - albeit none takes this to heart save those who are endowed with insight.”

(Surah Imran: 7)

It’s just like being in a room which is dark, and the only thing that you can see is the present.
One has no idea of the future, though there is knowledge that the present affects the future.
In this type of scenario, which other way is there but to put one trust in Allah, the creator of
the room, darkness, and us the wanderers?