وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 217
Translations
And rely upon the Exalted in Might, the Merciful,
Transliteration
Wa-tawakkal 'alal-'Azeez ar-Raheem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to place his complete trust and reliance upon Allah, who is described as Al-'Azeez (The Mighty/Invincible) and Ar-Raheem (The Merciful). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this instruction came during the Meccan period when the Prophet faced fierce opposition and persecution, reminding him that despite the apparent power of his enemies, Allah's might is supreme and His mercy encompasses all affairs. The combination of these two divine attributes emphasizes that Allah possesses both the power to protect His messenger and the compassion to guide His creation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the end of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which addresses the mockery and rejection the Prophet faced from the Meccan polytheists who denied his message. The surah contextualizes this command within the narratives of previous prophets (Noah, Hud, Salih, Lot, and Shu'ayb) who similarly endured opposition, establishing a pattern of divine support for messengers who remain steadfast in their mission.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The strongest believer is the one who relies upon Allah' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized: 'Trust in Allah, but tie your camel' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), illustrating that tawakkul (reliance) combines trust in Allah with prudent human effort.
Themes
Key Lesson
True tawakkul involves placing our hearts' reliance entirely upon Allah's power and mercy while facing life's challenges, which liberates us from fear of worldly opposition and sustains us through adversity. This principle remains vital for modern believers navigating opposition to their faith, as it anchors confidence in Allah's ultimate authority and compassionate wisdom rather than in material circumstances.
Related Ayahs
فَسَتَذْكُرُونَ مَآ أَقُولُ لَكُمْ ۚ وَأُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَصِيرٌۢ بِٱلْعِبَادِ
And you will remember what I [now] say to you, and I entrust my affair to Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Seeing of [His] servants."
ٱلَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا۟ لَكُمْ فَٱخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًا وَقَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ ٱلْوَكِيلُ
Those to whom people [i.e., hypocrites] said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allāh, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs."
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلْقَلْبِ لَٱنفَضُّوا۟ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
So by mercy from Allāh, [O Muḥammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allāh. Indeed, Allāh loves those who rely [upon Him].
وَقُل رَّبِّ أَنزِلْنِى مُنزَلًا مُّبَارَكًا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْمُنزِلِينَ
And say, 'My Lord, let me land at a blessed landing place, and You are the best to accommodate [us].'"