In Thy name, we live
Episode 9: Al-Wakeel (The Ultimate Trustee)
In the name of Allah, The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful, all praises be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon the Messenger of Allah (SAWS).
Today we will talk about a very beautiful name that gives us a sense of comfort, safety, and reassurance. Understanding this name is especially helpful to those who are depressed, anxious, or worried about their future. The name we are going to deal with today is “Al-Wakeel”, or “The Ultimate Trustee”.
Today’s episode will deal with five main points: an introduction, the meaning of The Ultimate Trustee, how can one determine whether he/she truly trusts Allah (SWT), examples of how Allah (SWT) always supports those who trust Him and grants them victory, and finally, some beautiful meanings related to the name, “The Ultimate Trustee”.
First, let us start with the introduction. I would like to say that all people need to understand the meaning of “The Ultimate Trustee”, including parents who are worried about their children and youth who are worried about their future, job opportunities, marriage, etc. This name also touches those who have big dreams and plans but are afraid to fail. Every single person in this nation needs to understansd this name.
What does the “The Ultimate Trustee” mean? When you go to a notary public’s office to issue someone a general power of attorney, the officer asks you if you are sure about this. A general power of attorney means that you give this person the authority to act on your behalf in all your affairs. To give someone a general power of attorney, he/she must meet three essential criteria: he must be worthy of your trust, he has to be experienced, and he must truly care about your welfare. It is difficult to find a person who can fulfill these three criteria, but Allah (SWT), being The Ultimate Trustee, fulfills them all!
Every ayah in which Allah calls on people to make Him their trustee is preceded by a description of His power and authority. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And to Allah belongs the Unseen of the heavens and the earth; and to Him all Command will be returned. So worship Him and put your trust in Him…” (TMQ, 11: 123). Also, He (SWT) says what can be translated as, “The Lord of the east and the west; there is no god except He; so take Him for yourself as an Ever-Trusted Trustee” (TMQ, 73: 9). You should feel safe and reassured when you listen to such ayahs! We entrust Allah because He is the Lord of the universe and everything in the universe belongs to Him. How could we trust weak people and not trust Him?
Please do not misunderstand me. We have to trust people too and resort to them when we need help. For example, we should go to a qualified physician when we feel sick or seek out officials whom we think can help us in our affairs. However, we should always bear in mind that only Allah (SWT) has the control and power over all things.
So what does “The Ultimate Trustee” mean? It means that He kindly controls His worshippers’ affairs and takes care of them. He never abandons them nor leaves them to someone else. Even if everyone is against you, you should feel safe because Allah is your trustee and He will protect you.
Listen to the following ayah, “The ones to whom the multitude (Literally: mankind) said, ‘Surely the multitude have already gathered against you, so be apprehensive of them.’ Yet, it increased them in belief, and they said, ‘Allah is The Reckoner enough for us, and how excellent is The Ever-Trusted Trustee!’” (TMQ, 3: 173). This ayah is talking about the Prophet’s companions after the Battle of Uhud. Many of them died and were injured in this battle, and the rest were feeling down and distressed. The Prophet (SAWS) knew that Quraish may return to fight them again, so he told his companions that no one shall fight with him again except those who fought with him in the Battle of Uhud. On their way to Madinah, and at a place called “Hamra’ al-Asad”, the Muslims received a messenger from Quraish sent to instill fear into them. The messenger told the Prophet that Quraish had donned its war attire and that they have gathered all Arabs to fight them. The Prophet (SAWS) said nothing but cried out with his companions, “Allah suffices us, for He is the best disposer of affairs.” This cry scared the messenger who returned to Quraish and told them that the Muslims are uttering [passionate] words; they will eat you alive! Listen to the next ayah (which follows the ayah above), “So they turned over (Or: turned around) with favor from Allah and (His) Grace; no odious (disadvantage) did touch them; and they followed closely the all-blessed Satisfaction of Allah; and Allah is The Owner of magnificent Grace” (TMQ, 3: 174).
For this reason, the Prophet (SAWS) teaches us to entrust Allah at all times. One of the dhikr (the remembrance of Allah) that he has ordered us to say every morning and evening is “Allah is enough (Reckoner) for me. There is no god except He. In Him I have put my trust; He is the Lord of the Magnificent Throne”. He (SAWS) tells us that he who says this seven times every morning, will have Allah care for his affairs that day. Similarly, the Prophet (SAWS) ordered us to say once we leave our houses, “In the name of Allah, I entrust my soul to Allah, and there is no power but in Allah”. He who says this, will be guided, defended, and protected, and no devil will be able to mislead him.
What Are The Signs That You Are Entrusting Your Soul To Allah?
First, if you find yourself repeating the name of The Ultimate Trustee and experiencing this feeling of entrusting your soul to Allah in times of difficulties, then you are truly trusting Allah with your soul. Our example in this is Ibrahim (AS) (Abraham). When he was about 16 years of age, he was accused of destroying the idols his tribe worshipped. As a result of this unforgiveable crime, he was convicted to be burnt alive. A huge construction was built, then set on fire so he would be thrown in. Allah says about this what can be translated as "They said, ‘Burn him away and vindicate your gods, in case you are performing that’” (TMQ, 21: 68). However, Ibrahim (AS) remained steadfast and assured. When he was about to be thrown into the fire, Jibril (AS) (Gabriel) came to him and asked whether he wanted anything. He replied that he wanted nothing from Jibril (AS), but from Allah; he uttered the phrase "Allah suffices me, for He is the best disposer of affairs". As a reward for his great trust in Allah, He, the Omnipotent, ordered the fire to change its qualities in order not to burn Ibrahim (AS). Allah says about this what can be translated as, “We said, ‘O fire, be coolness and peace upon Ibrahim!’” (TMQ, 21: 69).
Second, the more difficult the situation is, the more common it is for people to lose hope; whereas he who entrusts his soul to Allah is more optimistic as the situation gets darker. The Ultimate Trustee sometimes tests you by destroying the worldly means on which you depend. If you lose hope, then you were not truly entrusting your soul to Allah. An evident example of this, is the Prophet (SAWS) during the Year of Grief. When he most needed his uncle Abu-Taleb and his wife Khadijah, they both passed away in the same month. The important lesson Allah wanted to teach his Prophet was, "I am the Protector. I am the Ultimate Trustee".
Another example from seerah (the biography of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)) is the journey of the Prophet (SAWS) to Taif. He walked for 100km in order to call the people of Taif to Islam, but they refused to believe. Moreover, they hit him with stones until his feet bled, but The Ultimate Trustee was always there for him. On his way back to Makkah, the boy Addas believed in his message; and when he started to read Qur'an aloud, jinn heard him and believed in Allah. After this, the incident of al-israa and al-mi’raj took place in which he was honored in heaven, then al-Ansar (the residents of Madinah) believed in him and supported him until hijrah (the migration from Makkah to Madinah) took place. Allah decides what is best for you; so trust Him!
Third, never earn your living in an unlawful way, as Allah is The Sustainer and The Superb Provider. There is a very good example which shows how man is unaware that Allah is The Superb Provider. The embryo in his mother's womb is blessed by one source of food through the mother's blood. When the baby is born, he cries for losing this known source, so Allah gives him two sources for food instead; milk from his mother's breasts. After being weaned, he cries for losing these sources, so Allah gives him four sources of food instead; meat, fish, water and milk. At his deathbed, he cries for leaving the world which he knows, so Allah opens jannah (Paradise) to him which has eight doors. How short-sighted man is?!
Fourth, do not be too anxious about the future. Fear and anxiety about one's future is normal; however, being too anxious means that you do not entrust your soul to Allah.
Fifth, work hard and at the same time believe in your heart in The Ultimate Trustee. An example of this is hijrah – the best situation to teach us how one can entrust one's soul to Allah. The Prophet (SAWS) depended on worldly means and planned for hijrah perfectly and creatively. However, when he and his companion were overtaken by the people of Quraish, the Prophet (SAWS) put his faith in Allah and said to Abu-Bakr, calming him down, “What do you think is the destiny of two people who have Allah for their Companion?"
Examples of Those Who Entrusted Their Souls to Allah
Lady Hajar, wife of Ibrahim (AS), demonstrated to us a great example in entrusting one's soul to Allah when Ibrahim (AS) left her in the desert with their child Isma’il (AS) (Ishmael). She asked Ibrahim (AS) if it was Allah who ordered him to do so, and he replied yes, so she said with conviction, "then He shall not forsake us".
One of the nicest instances of entrusting one's soul to Allah is Istikhara prayer. Istikhara results only in good outcomes because it is a trust in Allah's choice. However, never be passively dependent on Allah. In the journey of al-israa and al-mi’raj, the prophet (SAWS) tied al-Buraq, although it was not in danger of running away, because he was used to considering worldly means in addition to trusting Allah.
How to Entrust Your Soul to Allah?
We have to train ourselves to trust in Allah. When Musa (AS) (Moses) saw the cane turning into a snake for the first time, he ran away in fear. The second time around, he did not run; however, he entertained a fright within himself, being confronted by the magicians. Whereas the third time, the most difficult of these situations, when the army of the Pharaoh was behind them and the sea in front of them, he had no fear; he said what can be translated as, "Not at all. Surely my Lord is with me; He will soon guide me" (TMQ, 26: 62).
What's Our Duty Towards This Name?
Train yourself how to entrust your soul to Allah. Develop the habit of saying in dhikr (the remembrances of Allah) every morning and evening, "Allah suffices me, for He is the best disposer of affairs". Highlight this value in your life.
