Submitting to Divine Decree
One of the highest points of faith is accepting Allah’s decree with complete contentment. People often try to direct events with their limited intellect, attempting to change fate’s plan. However, Abdülkadir Geylani (q.s.) warns against these efforts: “There should be no words like ‘why’ and ‘how.’ There should be no opposition or dispute. There is only obedience and affirmation… There is no error in fate.” Questioning the Creator’s actions and attempting to hold Him accountable is beyond a servant’s station. According to the verse, “He is not questioned about what He does,” (Surah Al-Anbiya, 23), the servant’s duty is only to perform the tasks assigned to them and completely surrender to the outcome.
Reliance on the Cause of Causes, Abandoning Means
Trust (Tawakkul) is when a person cuts off expectations from external means and creatures, entrusting everything entirely to Allah. Geylani (q.s.) said, “Fulfill the rights of causes. Fall into trust, run to where things are being done, and stay there… By seeing the cause, see its Creator,” expressing that working within a legitimate framework is necessary, but the heart should never rely on that work or external means. Begging from people and considering them the source of sustenance is a hidden form of idolatry. When the heart is solely connected to Allah, the Sustainer (Rezzak), the veil of causes lifts, and the servant becomes worthy of direct divine grace.
The Freedom Brought by Acceptance and Tranquility
A servant who demonstrates acceptance towards fate and embraces complete trust remains unshaken by any loss or calamity in the world. They do not become arrogant in wealth nor rebel in poverty. They know that “Allah is free in His decree and destiny. No one can interfere with His every action.” The person who entrusts their affairs to Allah is completely freed from fears, worries about sustenance, and anxieties about the future. This profound state of surrender makes the servant the freest, most peaceful, and spiritually invincible person on earth; it leads them directly to their Lord.