Reliance on Allah

Relying on Allaah is one of the greatest forms of worship. Allaah Says (what means): “…And upon Allaah rely, if you should be believers.” [Quran 5: 23] 

Allaah Almighty made relying upon Him a condition for faith. Allaah said to His Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) (what means): “…Rely upon Allaah. Indeed, Allaah loves those who rely [upon Him].” [Quran 3: 159]

Allaah also Says (what means): “…And whoever relies upon Allaah — then He is sufficient for him.” [Quran 65: 3]
 
Furthermore, Allaah has linked this reliance to worship, as occurs in His statement (which means): “…So worship Him and rely upon Him.” [Quran 11: 123]
 
The meaning of reliance on Allaah
 
Reliance on Allaah means entrusting one’s affairs to Allaah and relying on Him in all matters. Entrusting one’s affairs to Allaah entails not turning to something or someone else for support.
 
So reliance on Allaah can be with regard to matters of creed, such that the servant’s heart does not turn to anyone else besides Allaah. Therefore, he is always putting his reliance in Allaah, entrusting all of his affairs to Him.
 
The pagans did not fall into polytheism and disbelief except due to the fact that they put their reliance in other than Allaah, entrusted their affairs to other than Him, and believed in their hearts that someone besides Allaah was able to grant their requests, alleviate their worries and repel harms from them. So they relied on statues, idols, trees, stones, graves, shrines and the deceased. They put their trust in created beings to grant them things that only Allaah could do. So they began to ask them for help, offer sacrifices to them, make oaths to them, and direct various forms of worship to them.
 
This is since they relied on them apart from Allaah, thinking that they have the power to benefit them, harm them or grant their requests. Due to this, when they put their reliance in other than Allaah and directed their beliefs and worship to other than Him, they disbelieved in Him.
 
Relying upon Allaah is from the actions of the heart – so it is an act of worship of the heart. Therefore, putting one’s trust in Allaah is not to be done with one’s limbs and body parts. Rather, it is found in the heart, just like fear, awe, longing, dreading and dutifulness of Allaah – all of these are acts of worship of the heart.
 
The position of reliance on Allaah:
 
The position of reliance on Allaah is as some of the scholars have stated: “The position of reliance upon Allaah in the religion is like that of the head on a body.”
 
So a person who does not have reliance upon Allaah does not have religion, just like a body that has no head. If the religion lacks reliance upon Allaah, it lacks correctness – meaning that one will not have a correct religion.
 
Relying on Allaah has a great standing amongst the stations of servitude to Allaah. Allaah distinguishes by it His believing servants from everyone else. Whoever doesn’t put his trust in Allaah at all is a disbeliever. And whoever puts his trust in Allaah and also on others besides Allaah is a polytheist. And as for the one who puts his trust in Allaah alone – he is a monotheistic believer whom Allaah loves and whose actions and statements He is pleased with. This is since he has established his actions and statements upon a correct foundation.
 
The foundation of Shirk (polytheism) is: entrusting one’s affairs and putting one’s reliance on other than Allaah. This is why Allaah Says (what means): “…And upon Allaah rely, if you should be believers.” [Quran 5: 23]
 
Allaah has made reliance on Allaah here a sign of one’s Faith in Him and proof of one’s monotheism.
 
As for the one who claims to be a believer and an adherent of monotheism, but yet then goes on to put his trust in other than Allaah, such as stones, trees, statues, graves, the deceased, and so on, then this person’s claim is false. And he is not a believer because he has entrusted his affairs to someone besides Allaah.
 
Relying upon Allaah can be in religious matters as well as worldly matters. Thus you should rely on Allaah in your creed and your monotheism as well as for fulfilling your worldly needs, such as seeking provision, clothing and accomplishing some set goals. Put your reliance and trust in Allaah for all matters.
 
When it comes to fulfilling any goal, do not rely on anyone besides Allaah. This is since all of the affairs are in the Hand of Allaah. The keys of the Heavens and the Earth are in His Hand, so we must put our trust and reliance in Him.

Source: www.islamweb.net