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The-concept-of-Allah-in-Islam

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own affairs, He will beautifully save him the hardship <strong>of</strong> any task and will grant him morethan He grants others; He gives sufficiently to those who rely on Him. He takes care <strong>of</strong> theaffairs <strong>of</strong> His servants. He <strong>in</strong>itiated the giv<strong>in</strong>g to man without the latter hav<strong>in</strong>g asked Him,and He gave man everyth<strong>in</strong>g he needed. Whenever man pleads to Him, He directs Hisattention to him and beautifully looks after him. If he rema<strong>in</strong>s on the straight path, He willseal his deeds with the beauty <strong>of</strong> His guardianship.L<strong>in</strong>guistically, a wakeel is one upon whom one relies; so, this is why it is said that one whorelies on <strong>Allah</strong> will come to know that <strong>Allah</strong> suffices him <strong>in</strong> as far as his sustenance andaffairs are concerned, so he relies on Him and only Him and depends on none but Him. <strong>The</strong>wakeel <strong>of</strong> someone else is the person who efficiently represents him or does on his behalfwhat he is <strong>in</strong>capable <strong>of</strong> do<strong>in</strong>g.In Surat Hud, <strong>Allah</strong> addresses His Messenger Muhammed say<strong>in</strong>g, "You are only a warner,and <strong>Allah</strong> is Custodian over all th<strong>in</strong>gs" (Qura'n, 11:12), that is, "Your responsibility is simplyto convey the Message, to warn aga<strong>in</strong>st the dire consequences <strong>of</strong> reject<strong>in</strong>g it, to <strong>in</strong>vite peopleto accept it, while <strong>Allah</strong> manages the affairs <strong>of</strong> His servants and watches over them,someth<strong>in</strong>g which you do not have to do, s<strong>in</strong>ce it is the responsibility <strong>of</strong> the Creator towardsHis creatures, and it is not a subject to be taught or conveyed."Narrat<strong>in</strong>g the tale <strong>of</strong> Ya`qoob (Jacob) and his sons, the Almighty says <strong>in</strong> Surat Yousuf(Joseph), "And when they gave him their pledge, he said: <strong>Allah</strong> is the One <strong>in</strong> Whom trust isplaced as regard<strong>in</strong>g what we say" (Qura'n, 12:66). In Surat al-Ahzab, the Almighty addressesHis Messenger Muhammed say<strong>in</strong>g, "<strong>The</strong> Lord <strong>of</strong> the east and the west; there is no god butHe; therefore, take Him for Protector" (Qura'n, 73:9). <strong>The</strong> address here is repeated twice tothe Messenger <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong>; therefore, the Messenger <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong> used to quite <strong>of</strong>ten remember hisLord, al-Wakeel al-Hafiz, rem<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g his companions and followers never to neglectmention<strong>in</strong>g this Gracious Attribute dur<strong>in</strong>g the time <strong>of</strong> trouble, hardship and affliction. <strong>The</strong>Messenger <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong> once said, "How can I feel happy know<strong>in</strong>g that the one charged withblow<strong>in</strong>g the horn (i.e. archangel Israfil) has picked the horn and bent his forehead listen<strong>in</strong>g tothe order to blow it?" His companions asked him, "<strong>The</strong>n what are we supposed to say, OMessenger <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong>?" He said, "Say: `Hasbuna <strong>Allah</strong> wa ni`mal-Wakeel (<strong>Allah</strong> suffices us,and Great is the Guardian)!'"<strong>The</strong> Messenger <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong> used to plead to his Lord, al-Wakeel, on every occasion, say<strong>in</strong>g,"Lord! I implore You not to permit me to rely on my own self even for the tw<strong>in</strong>kl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> aneye else I should surely perish." Accord<strong>in</strong>g to one qudsi tradition, the Almighty, address<strong>in</strong>gHis Messenger, says, "You are My servant and Messenger, and I have named you al-Mutawakkil [one who trusts <strong>in</strong> and relies on his Lord];" therefore, the Messenger <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allah</strong> wasordered by his Lord to do so; i.e. to always rely on Him. In Surat Ali-`Imran, He says, "... soonce you have made up your m<strong>in</strong>d, place your trust <strong>in</strong> <strong>Allah</strong>; surely <strong>Allah</strong> loves those whotrust (<strong>in</strong> Him)" (Qura'n, 3:159), that is, "Hav<strong>in</strong>g consulted your companions regard<strong>in</strong>g amatter, you must rely on <strong>Allah</strong> <strong>in</strong> effect<strong>in</strong>g it, and have confidence <strong>in</strong> His assistance and help,

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