Azm and Tawakkul : Determined trust in the ultimate judge and the final administrator
Both azm and tawakkul are essential milestones for understanding Islamic faith, especially if one is inclined to compass the strong foundations of this belief system where it takes many of its roots from tasawwuf, Islamic Sufism.
Azm means wishing something strongly with determination and being patient and showing perseverance. There are many verses in Holy Quran that suggests us to show perseverance in doing good deeds.
In tasawwuf terminology, Azm represents the first stage where the soul gets disconnected from every bond that prevents him to reach Allah(j.j), becomes determined in stuying “ilm” and gets rid of the ill-thought where he perceives his own will is the bases of all of his actions and contemplation. Yes, Azm means being determined but if this sense of determinations will lead to extreme sense of self-awareness which will open doors to being arrogant, then this form of azm doesn’t have any value according to Islamic sufism, contrarily, it is of such characteristic that one should get rid of.
Azm that doesn’t convey one’s soul closer to Allah(j.j) is not useful.
Azm is being persistent in establishing the connection to Allah(j.j), which can easily achieved by following “salat” duty five times a day.
Tawakkul means reliance and being dependent on someone. Wakel is also derived from the same root, which can mean commissioner, assignee and administrator depending on the context.
Here in tasawwuf, tawakkul means firm and determined reliance in Allah(j.j) for every kind of matter since we already accept that he is our “administrator” and guide us through our daily mundane activities, regardless of their essentiality.
When one answers the requirements in the pursuit of an achievement, he should then leave the rest of matters to Allah(j.j) and have absolute trust in him. Therefore tawakkul never means “expecting everything from Allah(j.j) and doing nothing else.
Only after every precaution is considered and every condition is met, one should rely on Allah’s(j.j) ultimate decision on that matter since he is the “final judge and administrator” in every possible life-decision and occurrence and personal account and historical event and natural act.
Holy Quran suggests us that level of mentality in any case;
Remember two of your parties Meditated cowardice; but Allah was their protector, and in Allah should the faithful (Ever) put their trust. (Aal-E-Imran 3/122)
Those unto whom men said: Lo! the people have gathered against you, therefor fear them. (The threat of danger) but increased the faith of them and they cried: Allah is Sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in Whom we trust! (Aal-E-Imran 3/173)
Baris Tarimcioglu/islamoformation.com
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