Hijrah Journal #4: An Act of Tawakul

We previously discussed how to overcome common fears related to Hijrah. Hijrah is an act of worship, but it is also an act of tawakul. It is a leap of faith in which a person steps into the unknown for the sake of Allah, trusting that whatever is best for them will happen. Taking a chance on moving to a new land for the sake of Allah is a way of building one’s tawakul, and opening one’s heart to one’s destiny. In this entry, we will explore five verses of the Qur’an related to Hijrah and Tawakul to help you take a leap of faith for the sake of Allah.

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Allah promises to make a way out

And whoever fears Allah, He will make a way out for him. And will provide for him from where he never expected. Whoever relies on Allah, He will suffice him. Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has set a measure to all things. (Qur’an 65:2-3)

These verses were revealed in the context of divorce, not hijrah, but the lesson is universal. When taking a major risk for Allah’s sake, whether it is marriage, a necessary divorce, starting a new project, or hijrah, always remind yourself of Allah’s promise in these verses. There are two parts to the promise in this verse. The first states that if someone fears Allah, Allah will provide for them. This is the more commonly known part of the verse. The second part states that if someone has tawakul in Allah, Allah will be enough for them and will accomplish their purpose for them. This is the essence of Tawakul.

Tawakul means accepting that nothing happens except what Allah wills. We do not know the future, we do not know if we will succeed, but we trust Allah’s Plan and we approach any major decision with good thoughts about Allah. Tawakul means taking major strategic risks for the sake of Allah, knowing that if this is good for me, Allah will accomplish it for me. If it is bad for me, Allah will open the door to something better for me. Tawakul means accepting that we can only try, but success is only from Allah. So we plan, we make our efforts, we purify our intentions, then we surrender and trust the results to the One who promised to provide and accomplish our purpose.

The Earth is Spacious, so find your place in it

Say, “O My devotees who have believed, keep your duty to your Lord. For those who do good in this world, is goodness. And Allah’s earth is spacious. The steadfast will be paid their wages in full, without reckoning.” (Qur’an 39:10)

This was one of the last verses I recited and reflected on before leaving South Africa. It is a beautiful verse about the reward for patience and righteous deeds during difficult times. The structure of this verse is unique. It begins with a reminder to obey Allah in all situations, followed by a promise of great rewards for good deeds, then it briefly mentions that the earth is spacious, before returning to discuss the reward for patience and steadfastness as being unlimited. I spent some time reflecting on why “Allah’s earth is spacious” is mentioned in the middle of a discussion on the rewards for patience.

After browsing through various tafsir works and reflecting on this verse, I concluded that this segment is indicating that Hijrah as part of the reward for patience. This verse was revealed during the Makkan era when Muslims persecuted for their faith. It is a promise that things will get better, and part of things getting better is migrating to a better land. This verse should bring hope to anyone who is currently trying to flee persecution. The earth is spacious, you will find a place where you can worship Allah freely, and the steadfast will be rewarded without any limits.

Do not worry, Allah is with us

If you do not help him, Allah has already helped him, when those who disbelieved expelled him, and he was the second of two in the cave. He said to his friend, “Do not worry, Allah is with us.” And Allah made His tranquility descend upon him, and supported him with forces you did not see, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the Word of Allah is the Highest. Allah is Mighty and Wise. (Qur’an 9:40)

We now turn to three verses about the migrations of three different Prophets. This verse is one of the most famous verses on Hijrah, as it was revealed as a reminder of how Allah helped the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr (RA) during their Hijrah journey. The Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah was a difficult and perilous journey. The difficulties of this journey peaked during an intense period in which the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr (RA) had to hide in a cave while their pursuers were nearby searching for them. At that moment, we witness the perfection of tawakul. The Prophet ﷺ reminded Abu Bakr, “Do not worry, Allah is with us.”

This should be the mindset of the migrant. If you are migrating for Allah’s sake, expect trials and expect your intentions and commitment to be tested. During those moments of intensity and trial, do not fear and do not lose hope. Allah is with us. It is during these difficult times that we learn who we truly are and what we are capable of. It is during these difficult times that we grow closer to our Creator witness miracles and answered prayers, and learn the true meaning of tawakul. No matter how hard life gets, “do not worry, Allah is with us.”

The Dua of the Immigrant

So he drew water for them, and then withdrew to the shade, and said, “My Lord, I am in dire need of whatever good you might send down to me.” (Qur’an 28:24)

When Prophet Musa (AS) fled the tyrants of Egypt, he did not have a plan or a clear destination. He found his way to a watering hole near Madyan, and rested there. There he witnessed some young women in need of assistance and he assisted them without expecting anything in return. He then sat down and made a dua, a very important dua, “My Lord, I am in dire need of whatever good you might send down to me.”

This is the dua of the migrant, and really anyone in need. The reality is that we are all in need of Allah at every moment, so this dua should always be on our lips and close to our hearts. For the migrant, this dua holds a special place. As a traveler in a strange land with no resources, plan, or connections, Musa (AS) surrenders entirely to Allah’s Plan. He trusts that anything good that comes his way is from Allah, and his tawakul is firm. The result is that the father of those young ladies took Musa (AS) in, gave him a job, and married him to one of his daughter. Overnight, Musa (AS) went from dire need to having a new home, a new job, and new family.

When Hijrah gets tough, remind yourself of this story and this dua. Frequently recite this dua and trust Allah completely. If Allah brings you to a land and if settling in that land is best for your faith, then Allah will open the doors for you to find your place in that land. When Hijrah gets difficult, pray and ask Allah “My Lord, I am in dire need of whatever good you might send down to me.”

If Allah wants you there, He will establish you there

And thus We established Yusuf in the land, to live therein wherever he wished. We touch with Our mercy whomever We will, and We never waste the reward of the righteous. (Qur’an 12:56)

In Surah Yusuf, the phrase “thus We established Yusuf in the land” is mentioned twice. The first is in verse twenty-one when he is brought into the home of the Minister of Egypt as a slave. The second is in verse fifty-six, when he is freed from prison and becomes a Minister of Egypt himself. These two verses mark the beginning and end of Yusuf’s Hijrah journey, a unique journey that highlights Divine Wisdom in difficulty. Being sold into slavery may seem like a calamity at a surface level, but for Yusuf, it was the beginning of his journey to becoming a powerful and influential figure in Egypt. This teaches us that even the trials along the way have Divine Wisdom and Benefits that we may not understand.

At the end of his journey, Yusuf becomes close to the King of Egypt and is appointed to a high position in the government. At this point, we are reminded that this entire journey was Allah’s plan. It is Allah who established Yusuf in the land, so he could live wherever he wished. Yusuf, who spent a large portion of his life as a slave or prisoner, now had a unique level of freedom. His patience and righteousness had paid off. Allah does not waste the reward of the righteous. When you face difficulties, setbacks, and roadblocks on the path to Hijrah, remind yourself of Yusuf’s journey, and remind yourself that everything is part of Allah’s plan. The one who established Yusuf in Egypt will establish you wherever you are meant to be.

You can now access all our courses and ebooks for a set monthly fee of $15 or an annual fee of $160. This includes our brand-new exclusive Tafsir Intensive program. Click here to learn more about this exciting new feature.