Reliance on God: Lessons from Prophets

IQNA – In Surah Hud, after recounting the stories of the prophets, including Noah, Hud, Salih, and Shu’ayb, and their Tawakkul (reliance on God) in the face of the harassment and persecution from their people, the Holy Quran concludes by miraculously conveying a profound message in a concise manner.

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In this Surah, the Holy Quran discusses the established Sunnah of God among His servants, recounting the stories of the past nations, including the peoples of Noah, Hud, Salih, Lot, Shu’ayb, and Moses, peace be upon them. 

It also describes their fates while outlining the divine promises for the believers and the threats for the disbelievers and those who deny God’s signs.

Throughout these topics, other teachings related to divine knowledge about monotheism, prophethood, and the Day of Judgment are also highlighted. In the final verse of this Surah, we read, “To God belongs the knowledge of the unseen in the heavens and the earth and to Him do all affairs return. Worship Him and trust Him. Your Lord is not unaware of what you do.” (Verse 123 of Surah Hud)

In the two previous verses of this Surah, God tells the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to do what he is assigned and be waiting. In this verse, God underlines that, first, He has the knowledge of the unseen in the heavens and the earth.

And, second, “to Him do all affairs return”. They (unbelievers) are pleased with the idea that they can turn the situation in their favor with those means, believing that in the end, the victory will be theirs. However, the twists of fate and the mysteries of the heavens and the earth, and in short all matters, are in the hands of the Lord.

From His unseen knowledge, He reveals the ultimate outcome of their affairs as He has willed and foretold, and thus, you (the Prophet) can be assured that the course of the heavens is in your favor and against them.

Allameh Tabatabai emphasizes that this verse is one of the remarkable statements of the Quran.

Thirdly, the verse summarizes the entire duty of the Prophet (PBUH) in just two words: “Worship Him and trust Him”.

This means to serve God in all aspects and to place your trust in Him. Overall, belief in God’s infinite knowledge of the unseen, faith in His power to manage the affairs of the world, and then acting according to His commands and serving Him are all prerequisites for Tawakkul. However, one must remember that God is not unaware of their actions: “Your Lord is not unaware of what you do.”