15 – ʿAbd Allah narrated to us; al-Hasan ibn Maḥbūb narrated to us; al-Fayḍ ibn Isḥāq reported:

I said to al-Fuḍayl, “Can you define tawakkul (trustful reliance on Allah) for me?”

He replied, “Ah! How can you rely on Him while He chooses what is best for you and you are nonetheless displeased with His decree? Imagine you entered your house and found your wife blind, your daughter crippled, and you yourself struck with paralysis—how content would you be with His judgment then?”

I answered, “I would fear that I might not remain patient.”

He said, “Then it is not tawakkul—not until you reach the stage where you have but one attitude: you are pleased with whatever He does, whether in well-being or in affliction; you do not resent what He withholds from you, and you trust in what He grants you.”

Al-Fayḍ added, “Then he mentioned a man—he gave his name—and said, ‘Indeed, I dislike saying in my prostration, “O Allah, in You I place my trust.”’”