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**From Imam Ali (peace be upon him): “The believer’s richness is through God, Glorified be He.”**
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“**Tie it and then trust in God.**”
Imam al‑Sadiq (peace be upon him) said:
“Do not abandon seeking lawful sustenance, for it is a help to your religion. Tie your camel and then trust in God.”
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## Between Reliance (Tawakkul) and Negligence (Tawakul)
It is reported from **Amir al‑Mu’minin (Imam Ali), peace be upon him**, that one day he passed by a group of people who were healthy yet sitting idly in a corner of the mosque. He said:
“Who are you?”
They replied: “We are those who rely on God (the *mutawakkilun*).”
He said:
“No, rather you are those who live off others. If you truly rely on God, how does your reliance manifest?”
They said:
“When we find food, we eat; and when we have none, we are patient.”
He said:
“This is what the dogs among us do!”
They asked: “Then how do you act?”
He replied:
“When we find (something), we give; and when we lose (it), we give thanks.”
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From all that has been mentioned—whether in the **Holy Qur’an** or in the **noble traditions**—we see that the concept of **reliance on God (tawakkul)** is essential for the believing human being so that he may move through life with optimism and activity, not with submission to laziness and idleness.
We also see that this trait was firmly rooted in the souls of the **prophets and the righteous**, which is why they were strong through God, possessing firm willpower and decisive determination.
The concept of tawakkul does **not** mean canceling the intellect or ignoring the natural laws and causes that God has placed in His creation.
Therefore, in the end we say:
**Think and trust in God.
Reflect and trust in God.
Act and trust in God.**
This is the **Islamic principle of reliance on God.**
O God, make us among those who rely on You and trust in Your sufficiency and kindness. For whoever relies on You is enriched by You, while whoever relies on other than You is in need of them.
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### From Islamic Jurisprudence
**Q:** Is it permissible to buy wild boars hunted by hunting authorities or farmers in order to preserve pastures and farms, then can their meat be canned and exported to non‑Islamic countries?
**A:** It is not permissible to buy or sell pork as food for humans, even for non‑Muslims. However, if it has other rational and lawful uses—such as feeding animals or using its fat in soap production and similar industries—then there is no problem with buying and selling it for those purposes.
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**Q:** Is it permissible to work in a factory that cans pork, or in nightclubs, or centers of corruption? What is the ruling on income earned from such work?
**A:** It is not permissible to engage in activities that are religiously forbidden, such as selling pork or alcohol, establishing or managing nightclubs, or centers of corruption, immorality, gambling, or drinking alcohol. Earning income through such activities is forbidden, and the wages received from them are not lawfully owned.
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**Q:** Is it permissible to sell alcohol, pork, or any forbidden food to someone who considers it lawful for himself, or to give it as a gift?
**A:** It is not permissible to sell or give as a gift anything whose consumption or drinking is unlawful if the purpose is eating or drinking, or if one knows that the buyer intends to consume it—even if he considers it permissible.
(Source: *Answers to Religious Inquiries*, Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Transactions, Vol. 2, p. 7, Islamic Publishing House, 1999.)
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## Summary Points
a. **Tawakkul linguistically:** relying on another.
**In Islamic law:** relying on God, trusting in Him, and despairing of what is in people’s hands.
b. There is a great difference between relying on **the Absolutely Rich (God)** and relying on **a weak, mortal being**.
c. Reliance on God does **not** mean abandoning work or neglecting natural causes.
d. Tawakkul strengthens the **soul, spirit, and determination**.
e. **Tawakkul in the Qur’an:**
The Qur’an calls believers to rely on God; God is sufficient for those who rely on Him, He loves them, and the Qur’an highlights reliance on God as a characteristic of prophets and righteous people while not negating their determination and effort.
f. **Tawakkul in hadith:**
The traditions mention many fruits of tawakkul, such as strength of heart, optimism, and joy. They also distinguish between true reliance and laziness, and they affirm the role of natural causes in life.
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## Questions About the Lesson
1. What is the meaning of **tawakkul** linguistically and religiously?
2. How should a person choose whom to rely upon?
3. Does tawakkul mean laziness, submission, and abandoning natural means?
4. What are the benefits of tawakkul for the human soul?
5. Mention some Qur’anic verses about tawakkul and give them titles.
6. Mention some hadiths about tawakkul and give them titles.
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## For Memorization
Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said:
“The believer’s richness is through God, Glorified be He.”
Imam Ali (peace be upon him) also said:
“The foundation of the heart’s strength is reliance on God.”
