There’s no doubt that 2020 has been nothing short of a whirlwind of trials and tribulations. From the coronavirus global pandemic, the elections next week and many of us going through our own personal tests sent by Allah (S), I find myself seeking solace in this ayah from Surah Baqarah: “Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.” [2:286]

Four years have passed since the shock, uncertainty and disbelief of the last election season. It’s been a long four years, and our new normal is not only plagued with the novel pandemic but by heads of state spreading racism, discrimination, hate and bigotry. For many of us, there is disappointment and anger in how far behind this administration has taken our country.

As we all anxiously await the fate of the presidency for the next four years, this feeling is all too familiar. My daughter was a newborn when Trump won the presidency of the United States; my fears and worries are now doubled that we have been blessed with another child who may grow up in a country where so many of us are made to feel like we don’t belong.

You never get used to the fear of the unknown, despite how many times you may experience it. But this time, on the cusp of this election, it feels a little different in that as Muslims, we are better equipped than ever before to face whatever may come. Many in our communities, like Black Muslims, have faced these problems for years. If Trump serves as president for another four years, it won’t be a shock this time. It will be a reality we will continue to face with resilience and faith, drawing on tawakkul and our strength in resistance.

The beauty of Islam shines in many ways, and we are reminded of it it in various seasons our lives. When it comes to the uncertainty and fear of the unknown, I find myself going back to the concept of tawakkul. Tawakkul is an act of full submission to our creator, Allah (S). By entrusting and accepting that all of our personal affairs and the affairs of this world are controlled solely by His will, we are letting go and letting God take control. This very concept is rooted in the foundation of our deen. It is the basis of our belief in the oneness (tawheed) of Allah (S) and the sole reliance on Him alone:

“But if they turn away, (O Muhammad), say, ‘Sufficient for me is Allah; there is no deity except Him. On Him I have relied, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne.” [9:129]

Allah (S) reassures us in the Quran that by whole heartedly submitting our worldly affairs to Him alone, we have gained His love. “Indeed, Allah loves those who rely (upon Him).” [3:159]Hence, by mastering the concept of tawakkul, we can find it as our source of contentment. Having tawakkul brings calm and ease to our hearts and is a remedy to the fear and doubt constantly tormenting our minds by the various tests of this world. As this article from the Yaqeen Institute says, it is a means to come closer to Allah and to raise one’s level of faith (imān) and certainty (yaqīn).

Developing and nurturing tawakkul, for me, has been so important in facing the turmoil of the past four years, this election and the past several months of pandemic life.

The concept of tawakkul is not something that comes easy to us. It takes practice by actively working towards submitting your worries and fears to the will of Allah (S). We know that our du’a may not always get answered when we want it. We get lost in our du’as sometimes, wanting things immediately. But, how many times have you asked Allah (S) for something and made your most sincere du’a for it only to find at a later time in your life, He has answered it in the perfect, divinely orchestrated, way?

It was reported by Abū Saʿīd al-Khuḍrī that the Prophet (saw) said, “No Muslim makes supplication – unless he is someone who has cut off his relatives – but that he is given one of three things: Either his supplication is answered quickly, or it is stored up for him in the next world, or an evil equal to it is averted from him.” The narrator then said, “Then many supplications will be made.”

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) replied, “Allah has more still to give.”

We forget that the one answering our du’a is the one who created us after all and always has our best interests at heart, regardless if our human minds can comprehend His divine wisdom in that. Having tawakkul in this certainty brings satisfaction and comfort to the hearts of the believers knowing that whatever Allah (S) brings our way is truly what is best for us in that moment of our lives.

It’s important for us to remember that having tawakkul, full submission, goes hand in hand with putting in the hard work to reap the rewards we seek. In other words, fully submit to God’s will, but put in the work to achieve what you are seeking. It is not enough to have trust in God’s will without doing our part, a concept referred to as tawākul: Allah (S) does not ask us to blindly leave our affairs to Him.

Tawākul is the opposite of tawwakul, in that it includes elements of laziness and a careless attitude towards Allah in relying on Him without doing the work to help ourselves. It's like if one expects Allah (S) will take care of everything without doing any anything to help oneself.

For example, many of us have heard the hadith “Tie your camel first, and then put your trust in Allah.” This portion of the hadith is taken from the narration outlining the story of a Bedouin man who left his camel without tying it down. When the Prophet asked about his actions, the Bedouin replied, “I put my trust in Allah,” to which the Prophet Muhammad (saw) replied, “Tie your camel first, and then put your trust in Allah.”

Allah (S) also addresses the concept of tawākul in the Quran. The ayah, “And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah,” [2:197] was sent to the people of Yemen who traveled to Makkah for Hajj without properly equipping themselves with the supplies and food needed for their journey, claiming to rely solely on Allah (S) to provide for them. As a result, they found themselves needing to beg for help in Madinah, to which Allah (S) sent down the verse to demonstrate the importance of doing your part to provide for yourself and then depending on Allah (S).

So, what does it mean to have tawakkul (and guard against tawākul) in our lives given the current political climate and global pandemic? For one thing, going out to vote is your right and duty as a lawful citizen in this country, one that should be exercised in order to do your part in the elections. Voting may seem trivial and quite frankly useless in times like these, but if this is an action that is in your power to control, then being proactive and “putting in the work” is your duty before trusting in Allah (S).

In light of the coronavirus, you cannot just rely on Allah (S) to protect you without taking the necessary precautions, such as social distancing, sheltering in place and wearing a mask. Allah (S) does not ask us to deliberately put ourselves in harm's way in order for Him to protect us. In our personal lives, working hard to achieve our goals, taking care of our health, raising our children in a way that is pleasing to Allah (S) are all examples of “tying our camel.”

Keeping a daily checklist is also a helpful tool to train ourselves to have tawakkul on a daily basis. We leave the results of our actions to our Creator and make du’a that He grants us the best in this life and the hereafter. No matter what happens in this election, keep faith in what Allah (S) wants for us, and do your part to enjoin good and protect your family and yourself.