In Thy name, we liveEpisode 9: Al-Wakeel (The Ultimate Trustee) In the name of Allah[1], The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful, all praises be to Allah, Lord of the worlds[2]. All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon the Messenger of Allah (SAWS)[3]. 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)[4], 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[5] 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[6], 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 EverTrusted 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? He never abandons them nor leaves them to someone else. and how excellent is The Ever-Trusted Trustee!’” (TMQ. will be guided.Please do not misunderstand me. In Him I have put my trust. Many of them died and were injured in this battle. the Muslims received a messenger from Quraish sent to instill fear into them. the Prophet (SAWS) teaches us to entrust Allah at all times. There is no god except He. we should go to a qualified physician when we feel sick or seek out officials whom we think can help us in our affairs. no odious (disadvantage) did touch them. As a result of this unforgiveable crime. and no devil will be able to mislead him. For this reason. ‘Allah is The Reckoner enough for us.’ Yet. He (SAWS) tells us that he who says this seven times every morning. he was accused of destroying the idols his tribe worshipped. we should always bear in mind that only Allah (SWT) has the control and power over all things. 3: 173).” This cry scared the messenger who returned to Quraish and told them that the Muslims are uttering [passionate] words. “The ones to whom the multitude (Literally: mankind) said. 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. “Allah suffices us. the Prophet (SAWS) ordered us to say once we leave our houses. For example. He who says this. He is the Lord of the Magnificent Throne”. and the rest were feeling down and distressed. “In the name of Allah. Even if everyone is against you. Our example in this is Ibrahim (AS) (Abraham). so he told his companions that no one shall fight with him again except those who fought with him in the Battle of Uhud. 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. The Prophet (SAWS) said nothing but cried out with his companions. so be apprehensive of them. ‘Surely the multitude have already gathered against you. and protected. they will eat you alive! Listen to the next ayah (which follows the ayah above). I entrust my soul to Allah. This ayah is talking about the Prophet’s companions after the Battle of Uhud. then you are truly trusting Allah with your soul. On their way to Madinah. he was convicted to be burnt alive. However. “So they turned over (Or: turned around) with favor from Allah and (His) Grace. When he was about 16 years of age. and they followed closely the all-blessed Satisfaction of Allah. defended. What Are The Signs That You Are Entrusting Your Soul To Allah? First. and there is no power but in Allah”. Listen to the following ayah. 3: 174). and Allah is The Owner of magnificent Grace” (TMQ. you should feel safe because Allah is your trustee and He will protect you. So what does “The Ultimate Trustee” mean? It means that He kindly controls His worshippers’ affairs and takes care of them. will have Allah care for his affairs that day. We have to trust people too and resort to them when we need help. and at a place called “Hamra’ al-Asad”. it increased them in belief. The Prophet(SAWS) knew that Quraish may return to fight them again. The messenger told the Prophet that Quraish had donned its war attire and that they have gathered all Arabs to fight them. A huge . Similarly. and they said. for He is the best disposer of affairs. but they refused to believe. whereas he who entrusts his soul to Allah is more optimistic as the situation gets darker. An evident example of this. for He is the best disposer of affairs". fish. they hit him with stones until his feet bled. so Allah gives him four sources of food instead. When he most needed his uncle Abu-Taleb and his wife Khadijah. Jibril (AS) (Gabriel) came to him and asked whether he wanted anything. Fifth. but The Ultimate Trustee was always there for him. being too anxious means that you do not entrust your soul to Allah. 21: 68). Allah says about this what can be translated as "They said. the boy Addas believed in his message. be coolness and peace upon Ibrahim!’” (TMQ. and when he started to read Qur'an aloud. On his way back to Makkah. ordered the fire to change its qualities in order not to burn Ibrahim (AS). meat. so Allah opens jannah(Paradise) to him which has eight doors. Another example from seerah (the biography of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)) is the journey of the Prophet(SAWS) to Taif. so trust Him! Third. he cries for losing this known source. ‘Burn him away and vindicate your gods. milk from his mother's breasts. work hard and at the same time believe in your heart in The Ultimate Trustee. 21: 69). Allah says about this what can be translated as. do not be too anxious about the future. however. water and milk. “We said. he cries for leaving the world which he knows. Moreover. There is a very good example which shows how man is unaware that Allah is The Superb Provider. However. the more difficult the situation is. in case you are performing that’” (TMQ. he cries for losing these sources. so Allah gives him two sources for food instead. he uttered the phrase "Allah suffices me. Ibrahim (AS) remained steadfast and assured. If you lose hope. He replied that he wanted nothing from Jibril (AS). Allah decides what is best for you. The embryo in his mother's womb is blessed by one source of food through the mother's blood. the Omnipotent. The Ultimate Trustee sometimes tests you by destroying the worldly means on which you depend. "I am the Protector.construction was built. After this. Fear and anxiety about one's future is normal. ‘O fire. then al-Ansar (the residents of Madinah) believed in him and supported him untilhijrah (the migration from Makkah to Madinah) took place. He walked for 100km in order to call the people of Taif to Islam. I am the Ultimate Trustee". After being weaned. When he was about to be thrown into the fire. the incident of al-israa and almi’raj[8] took place in which he was honored in heaven.jinn[7] heard him and believed in Allah. As a reward for his great trust in Allah. At his deathbed. An . the more common it is for people to lose hope. they both passed away in the same month. then set on fire so he would be thrown in. Second. then you were not truly entrusting your soul to Allah. He. The important lesson Allah wanted to teach his Prophet was. never earn your living in an unlawful way. When the baby is born. is the Prophet (SAWS) during the Year of Grief. but from Allah. as Allah is The Sustainer and The Superb Provider. How short-sighted man is?! Fourth. Whereas the third time. Abraham. However. Allah is the God worshipped by all Prophets. and the word 'Allah' in Arabic has no connotation of gender. She asked Ibrahim (AS) if it was Allah who ordered him to do so. he said what can be translated as. How to Entrust Your Soul to Allah? We have to train ourselves to trust in Allah. for He is the best disposer of affairs". wife of Ibrahim (AS). the most difficult of these situations. the prophet (SAWS) tied al-Buraq[10]. What's Our Duty Towards This Name? Train yourself how to entrust your soul to Allah. from Adam to Noah. 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). Highlight this value in your life. When Musa (AS) (Moses) saw the cane turning into a snake for the first time. it is not used exclusively by Muslims. Whereas the word "Allah" has no plural form in Arabic. One of the nicest instances of entrusting one's soul to Allah is Istikhara[9] prayer. Develop the habit of saying in dhikr (the remembrances of Allah) every morning and evening. never be passively dependent on Allah. The Prophet (SAWS) depended on worldly means and planned for hijrah perfectly and creatively. so she said with conviction. although it was not in danger of running away. "Not at all. He will soon guide me" (TMQ. "Allah suffices me. Istikhara results only in good outcomes because it is a trust in Allah's choice. 26: 62). he had no fear. being confronted by the magicians. he did not run. [1] The word Allah is the Arabic term for God.example of this ishijrah – the best situation to teach us how one can entrust one's soul to Allah. However. calming him down. he entertained a fright within himself. "then He shall not forsake us". Although the use of the word "Allah" is most often associated with Islam. jinn and all creation [3] Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam [All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon him] . the Prophet (SAWS) put his faith in Allah and said to Abu-Bakr. he ran away in fear. [2] Mankind. The Arabic word expresses the unique characteristics of the One God more precisely than the English term. when the army of the Pharaoh was behind them and the sea in front of them. In the journey of al-israa and al-mi’raj. Surely my Lord is with me. and he replied yes. The second time around. “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. because he was used to considering worldly means in addition to trusting Allah. Jesus and Muhammad. Moses. the English form does. when he and his companion were overtaken by the people of Quraish. Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Jews also use it to refer to the One God. however. so far. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic. [7] An invisible being of fire [8] the night journey of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) from Makkah to Jerusalem and his ascension to the seventh heaven [9]It is a prayer. the language in which it was revealed. This translation is for the realized meaning. in which one asks Allah to choose for him the better of two paths. [10] The steed that transported the Prophet (SAWS) . [5] A verse in the Qur'an [6] TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an.[4] SWT = Subhanahu wa Ta'ala [Glorified and Exalted Be He]. of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. It is performed in tworaka’as (one unit of Islamic prayer) after which a certain dua’a (supplication) is said.