Tawakkal in studying

Bismillah

Tawakkal is an important part of life and it what makes the term "Muslim is a stress-free people" solid and factual. As a student of knowledge, this is a core part of our notions to ensure our efforts and results are in the right way.

حَسْبِىَ اللَّهُ لآ إلَهَ إلّا هُوَ، عَلَيْهَ ثَوَكَّلتُ، وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ



"Allah is Sufficient for me. There is none worthy of worship but Him. I have placed my trust in Him, and He is Lord of the Majestic Throne"
[ibn as-Sunni 71, abu Dawud 4:321]

This beautiful lines of supplication exerted the whole meaning of Tawakkal in which two key words of this dua' are;
1. Hasbia Allah - Allah is sufficient for me
2. Alaihi Tawakaltu - I have placed my trust in Him

Knowledge belongs to Allah SWT. Many people tend to confuse with the meaning of Tawakkal; to work on effort, and Tawakkal for the results. I had myself indulged in this confusion until I learned that Tawakkal, does not start after the effort has done (i.e. the result part).

Tawakkal starts from the beginning; Our actions and our results. Actions is a means towards an end, which is our achievement. Taking actions are in line with the rules and sunan of Allah SWT on earth. We will not remove hunger until we eat, and we will not remove thirst until we drink. Here's a famous hadith on Tawakkal;

Anas R.A. reported that a person asked Rasulullah SAW, “Should I tie my camel and have Tawakkul (trust in Allah for protection) or should I leave her untied and have Tawakkul.” Rasulullah SAW replied, “Tie her and have Tawakkul.” (Hasan) [Jami At-Tirmidhi]

Thus, this comes parallel in practice of our journey of knowledge. We shouldn't assert less effort but in hope of Allah for a better result, and we shouldn't assert more effort but does not hope of Allah for a better result. Instead, put high effort for the sake of Allah, and leave the results to Allah.

And yes, sometimes we put a huge amount of effort but it turns out that the results are not good as it could be. First thing is that we accept the fact and turn to Allah; we may never know if good results are better (well usually it is) for our outcome;

Jihâd (holy fighting in Allâh's Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allâh knows but you do not know. [2:216]

Then, try to find the roots of our cause of mistakes and try to rectify and change the styles of studying (if studying is the case of the bad results).

Tawakkal has to be practiced as a whole. Actions has to be parallel with tawakkal and hope for the best from Allah.

The supplications above is good to be recited seven times during morning and evening. (source)


Source: Excerpts from Divine Protection course of Al-Kauthar Institute, taught by Sheikh Hacene Chebbani