Chapter on the words of Allah, the Exalted: “So rely upon Allah if you are truly believers” (al-Māʾidah 5:23).
Connection of the chapter to the Book of Monotheism: The author’s aim here is to show that tawakkul (placing one’s trust) is a mandatory act that must be devoted sincerely to Allah alone, for it ranks among the finest acts of worship and the loftiest stations of tawḥīd.
“Upon Allah”: that is, upon no one else.
“So rely”: depend on Him and consign all your affairs to Him.
Overall meaning of the verse: Allah recounts that Moses, peace be upon him, commanded his people to enter the sacred land that Allah had destined for them and not to turn back in fear of the tyrants. Rather, they were to advance resolutely, neither intimidated nor afraid, trusting in Allah to defeat the enemy and believing in the truth of His promise—if indeed they were believers.
Lessons derived from the verse:
- It is obligatory to place one’s trust exclusively in Allah, and directing tawakkul to any other is shirk, for tawakkul is an act of worship.
- Tawakkul upon Allah is a condition for valid faith; when it is absent, faith itself is nullified.