توكل على الله
tawakkal 'ala Allah
The English phrase "trust Allah" is translated into Arabic as توكل على الله (tawakkal 'ala Allah).
The phrase توكل على الله is used to encourage someone who is facing a daunting task or a difficult decision, reminding them to rely on God's will and providence.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb توكل (tawakkal) literally means to rely, depend or trust upon someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes depending on who you are addressing. Use the feminine form توكلي على الله when speaking to a woman, and use the plural form توكلوا على الله when addressing a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
tawakkal 'ala Allah
Did you know?
- The concept of توكل implies a balance where one must first take all possible human precautions before finally leaving the outcome to God.
- In Arabic culture, توكل على الله is often used not just for spiritual guidance but as a practical way to end a period of hesitation before starting a project.
- The word 'Allah' is believed by many linguists to be a contraction of 'al-ilah', which means 'the deity'. This structural evolution is a common way that specific names for God are formed in Semitic languages.
Examples in context
- توكل على اللهTrust in Allah's plan.
- توكّل على اللهJust trust Allah, everything will be alright.
- توكل على الله في عملك.Tawakkal 'ala Allah fi 'amalika.Trust Allah in your work.
- يا ابني، توكل على الله ولا تقلق.Ya ibni, tawakkal 'ala Allah wa la taqlaq.My son, trust Allah and do not worry.
- إذا كنت ستسافر، توكل على الله.Itha kunta satusafir, tawakkal 'ala Allah.If you are going to travel, trust Allah.
Example conversation
Nour is encouraging Omar before his big job interview.
- نور Nourهل أنت مستعد للمقابلة يا عمر؟Hal anta musta'id lil-muqabala ya Omar?Are you ready for the interview, Omar?
- عمر Omarأنا قلق قليلاً من النتيجة.Ana qaliq qalilan min al-natija.I am a little worried about the result.
- نور Nourلا تقلق، توكل على الله.La taqlaq, tawakkal 'ala Allah.Do not worry, trust Allah.
- عمر Omarشكراً لكِ يا نور.Shukran laki ya Nour.Thank you, Nour.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries الله, توكل, على, CC BY-SA 4.0.
