❖ Adopting Means While Truly Relying on the Creator of All Means: An Islamic Perspective ❖
Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
What is the Islamic ruling on adopting means (asbāb) while trusting in Allah?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
The adoption of worldly means falls into three distinct categories, each with its own legal and theological implications:
◈ This occurs when a person depends on something that has no actual ability or influence,
◈ And turns away from Allah, placing full trust in that object or being.
Example:
– Worshippers of graves who call upon the dead during times of distress.
– Believing that these deceased individuals can bring benefit or remove harm.
This is major shirk (shirk akbar), and removes one from the fold of Islam.
Qur'anic Evidence:
﴿إِنَّهُ مَن يُشرِك بِاللَّهِ فَقَد حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيهِ الجَنَّةَ وَمَأوىهُ النّارُ﴾
“Whoever associates others with Allah, Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and his abode is the Hellfire...”
(Sūrah al-Mā'idah: 72)
◈ In this case, the person adopts a legitimate, Sharʿī cause,
◈ But his heart becomes heedless of Allah, relying solely on the cause itself.
This is also a form of shirk, albeit not major shirk.
– Such a person does not exit the fold of Islam,
– But his tawḥīd is deficient, and his reliance is misplaced.
◈ This is the correct and balanced approach.
– One takes the means as a vehicle,
– While maintaining that only Allah grants success, and the means have no independent power.
The belief is that:
– These means are created by Allah,
– They work only by His will,
– And He can nullify or change them at any time.
This approach does not violate tawḥīd; rather, it is in harmony with perfect tawakkul (reliance).
◈ Even when using proper means (e.g., a job, medicine, etc.), one’s core trust must remain in Allah alone.
Example:
– A salaried employee who believes that his salary alone sustains him, ignoring Allah’s role, is committing a subtle form of shirk.
But if he believes that:
– The salary is merely a channel,
– And Allah is the sole provider (Al-Razzāq),
– Then his action is in line with tawakkul.
◈ The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ adopted means but relied solely on Allah:
✔ He wore armor in battles,
✔ Took strategic precautions,
✔ Yet placed his absolute trust in Allah, the Creator of all causes (Musabbib al-Asbāb).
✔ Adopting means is permissible and even required,
But trusting solely in those means is a mistake.
True tawakkul is to use the means while believing that Allah alone controls outcomes.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām❖ Question:
What is the Islamic ruling on adopting means (asbāb) while trusting in Allah?
✔ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
❖ Classifications of Relying on Means:
The adoption of worldly means falls into three distinct categories, each with its own legal and theological implications:
➊ Adopting a Cause That Contradicts Tawḥīd
◈ This occurs when a person depends on something that has no actual ability or influence,
◈ And turns away from Allah, placing full trust in that object or being.
Example:– Worshippers of graves who call upon the dead during times of distress.
– Believing that these deceased individuals can bring benefit or remove harm.
This is major shirk (shirk akbar), and removes one from the fold of Islam. Qur'anic Evidence:﴿إِنَّهُ مَن يُشرِك بِاللَّهِ فَقَد حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيهِ الجَنَّةَ وَمَأوىهُ النّارُ﴾
“Whoever associates others with Allah, Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and his abode is the Hellfire...”
(Sūrah al-Mā'idah: 72)
➋ Relying on a Valid Cause but Forgetting the True Cause (Allah)
◈ In this case, the person adopts a legitimate, Sharʿī cause,
◈ But his heart becomes heedless of Allah, relying solely on the cause itself.
This is also a form of shirk, albeit not major shirk.– Such a person does not exit the fold of Islam,
– But his tawḥīd is deficient, and his reliance is misplaced.
➌ Using the Means as a Tool, While Trusting Fully in Allah
◈ This is the correct and balanced approach.
– One takes the means as a vehicle,
– While maintaining that only Allah grants success, and the means have no independent power.
The belief is that:– These means are created by Allah,
– They work only by His will,
– And He can nullify or change them at any time.
This approach does not violate tawḥīd; rather, it is in harmony with perfect tawakkul (reliance).❖ Trust Should Remain With Allah, Not the Means
◈ Even when using proper means (e.g., a job, medicine, etc.), one’s core trust must remain in Allah alone.
Example:– A salaried employee who believes that his salary alone sustains him, ignoring Allah’s role, is committing a subtle form of shirk.
But if he believes that:– The salary is merely a channel,
– And Allah is the sole provider (Al-Razzāq),
– Then his action is in line with tawakkul.
❖ Prophetic Example:
◈ The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ adopted means but relied solely on Allah:
✔ He wore armor in battles,
✔ Took strategic precautions,
✔ Yet placed his absolute trust in Allah, the Creator of all causes (Musabbib al-Asbāb).
❖ Summary:
✔ Adopting means is permissible and even required,
But trusting solely in those means is a mistake. True tawakkul is to use the means while believing that Allah alone controls outcomes.ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
