Depending on others sucks!
How to truly empower yourself!
﷽
In our journey through life, we often find ourselves leaning on others for support, guidance, and help. While community and companionship are essential, placing too much reliance on people can sometimes lead to disappointment and dependency. True empowerment and fulfillment come from relying on Allah (SWT), who is the ultimate provider and source of strength.
The Power of Tawakkul (Reliance on Allah)
Tawakkul is the Islamic concept of trusting and relying on Allah in all affairs. It means understanding that Allah is the best planner and that He knows what is best for us. When we put our trust in Allah, we not only find inner peace but also gain the courage and clarity to face challenges head-on.
A Personal Experience of Trust and Guidance
Let me share a personal story to illustrate this point. I recently decided to repaint the doorframes in my home. Eager to get the job done quickly, I reached out to friends and family for assistance. However, scheduling conflicts and last-minute cancellations led to frustration and wasted time. Each time someone let me down, I felt more stressed and dependent on others.
In my frustration, I remembered the importance of Tawakkul. I turned to Allah, performing Istikhara—the prayer for guidance—and asked for His help in finding a way to complete the task. Almost immediately, I felt a sense of calm and clarity. I realized that I had the skills and resources to do the job myself, or at least to manage it differently.
With renewed confidence, I researched the best methods for painting doorframes and gathered the necessary materials. The process, which had seemed daunting, became manageable and even enjoyable. By placing my trust in Allah, I discovered that I was more capable than I had given myself credit for, and the job was completed quicker and better than I had anticipated.
Lessons Learned
This experience taught me several valuable lessons about reliance on Allah:
Self-Sufficiency Through Faith: When we rely on Allah, we tap into our inner strengths and abilities that we might not have recognized otherwise.
Inner Peace: Trusting in Allah alleviates stress and anxiety, replacing them with a sense of peace and purpose.
Divine Guidance: Istikhara and prayer can provide clarity and direction, helping us make better decisions.
Embracing Tawakkul in Daily Life
To incorporate Tawakkul into your daily life, start with small steps and what better time with the Islamic New Year starting today:
Dhikr and Dua: Regularly engage in Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and Dua (supplication), especially during challenging times. Start to incoperate more names of Allah into you dua and take time to study these names. The more you learn and understand about Allah’s Beautiful Names and Attributes the more your love for Him will grow.
Reflection: Take time to reflect on your experiences and recognize instances where relying on Allah has brought positive outcomes. Make a list and think about how relying on Allah made you feel.
What is a matter you have been trying to resolve on your own that you can take to Allah?
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ١٣
Allah—there is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him. So in Allah let the believers put their trust.
Remember that nothing is impossible for Allah. I recently made dua for something so incredibly far fetched but I said to myself it isn’t far fetched for Allah. And just the other day a sister called me and just like that the doors to my far fetched dua being answered were opened. Never doubt the power of Allah.
Empowering ourselves through reliance on Allah is a journey of faith, trust, and self-discovery. By shifting our dependence from people to Allah, we open ourselves to endless possibilities and divine support. Let us embrace Tawakkul and allow it to guide us towards a more fulfilling and spiritually enriched life.
Much Love,
Nour Cauveren
This past Ramadan Al Maghrib Institute did a series on the Names of Allah. It was amazing! I hope you love it as much as I did: