The Invasion of the Heart by Worldly Anxieties
One of the biggest illnesses that cripples a person’s spiritual life is the endless worry about sustenance. People become so engrossed in the temporary hustle and bustle of this world that they forget the Absolute Provider, Ar-Razzaq, and causes are deified. Abdülkadir Geylani (may Allah be pleased with him) strongly criticized this state of heedlessness, emphasizing the futility of worrying about sustenance: “Do not grieve over your provision. It will seek you out; it will seek you out in a way that you cannot seek it.” A person should not worry about tomorrow after securing their livelihood for today. For whether or not we reach tomorrow is unknown. Just as we do not search for yesterday, we must entrust tomorrow to Allah with the same submission, which is the most basic requirement of servitude.
The Balance Between Working and Trusting in Allah
In Islam, abandoning worry about sustenance does not mean abandoning work and effort. A person should resort to legitimate means to earn a livelihood through lawful ways; however, they must strongly avoid attaching their heart to these means. Work is the task of the body, while tawakkul is the task of the heart. The sultan of spirituality, Geylani (may Allah be pleased with him), says: “Because your faith has not reached perfection, you cannot endure hardship much. Strive to secure your livelihood… When your faith reaches perfection, you will need tawakkul. Trust in Allah. Still strive; but trust in Allah more than your striving.” Those who are truly proficient in tawakkul are those who expect their sustenance not from their customers or employers while sweating in their shop or field, but directly from the grace of Allah.
Removing Causes and Seeing Ar-Razzaq
A believer who wants to ascend the spiritual levels must comprehend that sustenance is not only a result of worldly effort but also of divine decree. Hastily pursuing wealth damages faith and makes a person a slave to creation. Begging people and seeking help from them is a hidden objection to Allah’s provision. Those who attain the secret, “Take everything from the door of Allah. It is the best and most abundant thing that comes from Him. There is no fatigue in what is taken from there,” set aside their worries about sustenance. If we truly attained true knowledge, we would be with Him, believe in Him, and not perish in pursuit of sustenance. His majesty and love would draw us away from trivial concerns about livelihood. A heart freed from the fear of sustenance attains absolute freedom and inner wealth.