An-Nawawi's Forty HadithHadith 49

True reliance on Allah

حقيقة التوكل على الله

Whoever truly relies on Allah is provided for as the birds are; and the birds go out in the morning to seek it.

Sahih

The hadith

لَوْ أَنَّكُمْ كُنْتُمْ تَوَكَّلُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ حَقَّ تَوَكُّلِهِ لَرُزِقْتُمْ كَمَا تُرْزَقُ الطَّيْرُ تَغْدُو خِمَاصًا وَتَرُوحُ بِطَانًا

Umar bin Al-Khattab narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said:"If you were to rely upon Allah with the required reliance, then He would provide for you just as a bird is provided for, it goes out in the morning empty, and returns full

Reported by
Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah
Added by
Ibn Rajab, completing the fifty of Jami' al-'Ulum wal-Hikam

Lessons

Ibn Rajab defines reliance as the heart truly depending on Allah to bring good and turn away harm, in this world and the religion, knowing that only He gives, withholds, harms and benefits. It is one of the greatest means of provision (65:2-3).

It does not mean leaving the means: the birds go out in the morning. The heart relies on Allah while the body works, as in the Prophet's ﷺ instruction to tie the camel and rely on Allah; 'Umar called those who sat idle claiming reliance dependants, not reliers. In practice: do the work that is asked of you, then leave the outcome to Allah and be content with what He decrees.

Evidence

Sahih

Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2344

Grades
GraderVerdict
Ahmad Muhammad ShakirSahih (Sahih)
Al-AlbaniSahih (Sahih)
Bashar Awad MaaroufHasan Sahih (Hasan)
Zubair Ali ZaiIsnaad Hasan (Hasan)
Full narration

حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الْكِنْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنْ حَيْوَةَ بْنِ شُرَيْحٍ، عَنْ بَكْرِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ هُبَيْرَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي تَمِيمٍ الْجَيْشَانِيِّ، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ لَوْ أَنَّكُمْ كُنْتُمْ تَوَكَّلُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ حَقَّ تَوَكُّلِهِ لَرُزِقْتُمْ كَمَا تُرْزَقُ الطَّيْرُ تَغْدُو خِمَاصًا وَتَرُوحُ بِطَانًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ ‏.‏ وَأَبُو تَمِيمٍ الْجَيْشَانِيُّ اسْمُهُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَالِكٍ ‏.‏

Umar bin Al-Khattab narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said:"If you were to rely upon Allah with the required reliance, then He would provide for you just as a bird is provided for, it goes out in the morning empty, and returns full

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