Sayyidunā Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما narrated: “ʾIbrāhīm عليه السلام said:
‘حَسْبُنَا اللّٰهُ وَ نِعْمَ الْوَكِيْلُ. ‘
Allāh is sufficient for us and [He is] the Best Disposer of affairs.
when he was thrown into the fire and it was said by Muḥammad ﷺ when they said: ‘A great army is gathering against you, therefore, fear them,’ but this only increased their faith and they said: ‘Allāh is Sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs. {3:173}’” [Ṣaḥīh Bukhārī #4563]
The Essence of Tawakkul
A person should only rely on Allāh’s disposing of affairs. He should regard Allāh alone as the disposer of his affairs. This is tawakkul (reliance on Allāh). A person’s reliance should not be directed towards anything else. Strategies should definitely be adopted. Planning does not negate tawakkul.
The Noble Prophet ﷺ also taught to adopt the means. A Ṣaḥābī asked the Noble Prophet ﷺ: “Should I rely on Allāh by tying my camel’s feet or leaving it untied?” The Noble Prophet ﷺ replied: “Tie it and then rely on Allāh.” [Jāmiʿ Tirmidhī #2517]
This indicates that a person should adopt the means, however, the reliance should not be placed on the means. Indeed, one should open a store and conduct business. However, one should not believe that this shop is providing me with sustenance. Rather, reliance should be placed on Allāh Taʿālā’s Being- Allāh is the Being who provides sustenance.
A Litany to Recite When Afraid
Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Noble Prophet ﷺ uttered this statement when the people (Nuʿaym ibn Masʿūd ʾAshjaʿī) came and frightened them by telling them that those people (the polytheists of Makkah) have prepared formidable armies to combat you. Fear them and reverse your intention to go out and combat them. Upon hearing this statement of his, instead of becoming afraid [discouraged, cowardly] and reversing their intention, the ʾīmān of the Noble Prophet ﷺ and the Ṣaḥābah رضي الله عنهم was boosted with even greater strength and they began saying:
‘.حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ‘
Sufficient for us is Allāh and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.
A Qurʾānic Litany For Suspended Matters
It has also been narrated from Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما that he said: “The last statement of Ibrāhīm عليه السلام when he was thrown into the fire was:
‘.حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ‘”
Sufficient for us is Allāh and He is the best Disposer of affairs. {3:173} [Ṣaḥīh Bukhārī #4564]
At the precise moment when there was no other option, everyone requested to assist. However, ʾIbrāhīm عليه السلام replied by saying:
.حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
Sufficient for us is Allāh and He is the best Disposer of affairs. {3:173}
Thus, it is encouraged to recite this duʿāʾ when an important matter is suspended.
We have heard from our teachers that Hazrat ʿAllaamah ʾAnwar Shāh Kashmīrī رحمه الله would recite this frequently and abundantly.
We also observed our teacher, Hazrat Mawlānā Muftī ʿAbdul Ghanī Ṣāḥib رحمه الله reciting this abundantly. He would also advise any needy person who came to recite this. It has been written that it is extremely beneficial to recite this 100 times after every ṣalāh for any important work.
This sentence expresses one’s reliance on Allāh Taʿālā. ʾIbrāhīm عليه السلام recited it on a special occasion when he was tested. However, it should not be merely lip service but rather, one should also be diligent in striving to develop the reality of it within one’s heart. Coupled with uttering this sentence, we should also strive to truly rely on Allāh Taʿālā’s Being. It would then be beneficial and effective Inshāʾ Allāh (Allāh willing).
[Dars Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn Vol. 2 Pg.213, 215-216 & also see: Pg. 192-194 by Hazrat Muftī Aḥmed Khānpūrī Ṣāḥib حفظه الله ونفعنا بعلومه وفيوضه وصحبته ]