Putting one’s trust in Allah involves two things:
1. Depending on Allah in all matters and believing that He is the one who is in control of all things. It is believing in His decree. Trusting in His plans and being hopeful in His mercy.
2. Taking appropriate measures. Putting one’s trust in Allah does not mean refraining from taking measures; rather part of putting one’s trust in Allah is taking appropriate measures and striving to do so. The one who refrains from doing so has gone against the laws and decree of Allah. Allah has commanded us to take appropriate measures and He encourages us to do so; He commanded His Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) to do that.
It is not permissible for a believer to refrain from taking appropriate measures in fact it must be understood that a person is not truly believing in Allah unless he is taking proper action along with it. One cannot expect to get income and provisions without working on it. This is not the working of a rational human being. A person cannot sit at home and ask Allah to provide for him rather he must work hard and strive for it and Allah will provide for him. Similarly, it is prescribed to get married and have a family. If someone were to say: I shall not get married and I shall wait to have a child without getting married, he would be regarded as insane.
Maryam (may Allah have mercy on her) did not forgo taking measures. Allah said to her (interpretation of the meaning): “And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon you” [Maryam 19:25].
She did not wait for a date to fall on its own accord rather she shook the tree, took the appropriate measure and only then her hardship was relieved. Saying that Allah honored her and gave her some provision does not indicate that she refrained from taking appropriate measures; rather she devoted herself to worship and also took appropriate measures.
If Allah bestows upon someone some miracle then it is by his grace and bounty. Based on that we cannot let go of all our duties and responsibilities and sit still. We have to take proper measures in order to achieve what we want to achieve.
It is proven that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Strive to do that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allaah, and do not feel helpless.” Narrated by Muslim, 2664. And Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything)” [al-Faatihah 1:5].
And Allah knows best.
