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
قَالَتْ لَهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ إِن نَّحْنُ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَمُنُّ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ لَنَآ أَن نَّأْتِيَكُم بِسُلْطَـٰنٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Their messengers said to them, "We are only men like you, but Allāh confers favor upon whom He wills of His servants. It has never been for us to bring you evidence except by permission of Allāh. And upon Allāh let the believers rely.
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Allāh - there is no deity except Him. And upon Allāh let the believers rely.
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
But if they turn away, [O Muḥammad], say, "Sufficient for me is Allāh; there is no deity except Him. On Him I have relied, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne."
كَذَٰلِكَ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ فِىٓ أُمَّةٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهَآ أُمَمٌ لِّتَتْلُوَا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ وَهُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ بِٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۚ قُلْ هُوَ رَبِّى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ مَتَابِ
Thus have We sent you to a community before which [other] communities have passed on so you might recite to them that which We revealed to you, while they disbelieve in the Most Merciful. Say, "He is my Lord; there is no deity except Him. Upon Him I rely, and to Him is my return."