The Meaning of Tawakkul in Dough Salt

Question

A discussion on the concept of reliance on God in everyday matters, as mentioned in a sacred hadith. [AR_ID:2036]

Answer 1

Peace be upon you, and God's mercy and blessings,

This narration is found in the book "Bihar al-Anwar" by Allama Majlisi, in volume 90, page 303, where it is quoted from the book "‘Iddat al-Da’i wa Najah al-Sa’i" by the jurist Ibn Fahd al-Hilli. It is one of the sacred hadiths, which are sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) but whose meanings are from God. They differ from the Quran, which was revealed in both wording and meaning through revelation, and they also differ from prophetic hadiths, where both the wording and meaning come from the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). The number of prophetic hadiths is very large, and scholars have meticulously examined them to distinguish between those that are authentic, good, weak, and so on. However, sacred hadiths are fewer in number compared to authentic prophetic hadiths. Moreover, ethical narrations are not treated the same way as jurisprudential narrations; thus, their acceptance does not always depend on their chain of transmission, especially if their content aligns with many other authentic narrations and does not contradict the Quran and Sunnah. This narration falls into that category, as its content is supported by several other narrations, such as:

What is reported from Imam Al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) that he said: "You should make supplication, for there is nothing that brings you closer to God than it, and do not neglect to pray for even the smallest of matters, for the one who is the Lord of small things is also the Lord of great things." (Al-Kafi 2:467)

And from him (peace be upon him): "Supplication is the worship that God Almighty mentioned: 'Indeed, those who are too proud to worship Me...' (Quran, 40:60). So, call upon God and do not say: 'The matter has already been decided.'"

Zurarah said: This means that your belief in destiny should not prevent you from being fervent in supplication and striving in it. (Al-Kafi 2:467)

And from him (peace be upon him): "Indeed, God Almighty knows what the servant wants when he calls upon Him, but He loves for the servant to express his needs. So when you pray, specify your need."

(Al-Kafi 2:476)

If we reflect on God's words in His noble book: {Say, 'What would my Lord care for you if not for your supplication...'} (Quran, 25:77), it becomes clear that God loves for His servant to turn to Him for all needs, big and small. This attitude towards God signifies that the servant recognizes that everything he has and receives is from God, and he constantly turns to God in times of ease and hardship, believing that all blessings come from Him. This is part of what the hadith aims to convey.

May you be successful in all good.