THE LAW OF
DIVINE SUPPORT

The Quran teaches trust in God (tawakkul); one such verse says: “Put your trust in God.” (33:3) However, in another verse, it says: “Take your precautions.” (4:71)

If we were to understand the first verse in an absolute and literal sense, it would imply that whoever has faith in God should rely entirely on God and make no efforts of their own—for if everything ultimately happens by God’s will, then personal planning might seem unnecessary or even a sign of weak faith.

On the other hand, if we understand the second verse strictly by its literal wording, it might imply that a believer should make preparations and strategies relying entirely on human effort alone.

At first glance, it may seem as if these two verses contradict one another. If we fully act on the first, the second becomes irrelevant. If we follow the second entirely, the first seems disconnected.

But in truth, there is no contradiction. These verses represent two sides of the same reality. The command to trust in God relates to God’s role in the matter, while the instruction to take precautions pertains to the human role.

The principle is this: God’s help always comes through natural means and visible causes. According to the law of nature, divine support never arrives openly, without a medium. That is why one who has faith in God must do their utmost and use all available means. If they do not, it is as if they have failed to create the conditions for divine support to descend.

Holding both beliefs together gives a believer extraordinary inner strength. On the one side, they don’t fall short in effort, because they know that God’s help will come through those very efforts. On the other, they are fully confident of success, because they trust that once they have fulfilled the condition of effort, God’s promised help is bound to arrive.

Thus, those who have faith in God strive diligently in their efforts but trust fully in God for the outcome.