By Sheikh Abdulbari ibn Awwad al-Thubaiti – 04 Rabiul Awwal 1436

His Eminence Sheikh Abdulbari ibn Awwad al-Thubaiti, may Allah preserve him, delivered the Friday Khutbah entitled, “The Meaning and Virtue of the Statement ‘Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of Affairs’”, in which he talked about the statement “Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs”, referring to the most important meanings that can be drawn from it and the various occasions on which it occurs in the Holy Qur’an and in the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. He also dispelled the misconceptions held by some people about it, showing that it must not be used as a pretext for yielding to humiliation and weakness.

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.I praise my Lord and thank Him for all His favours.I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, Who has no partners. He has guided whomever He wills to attain the great rewards of this blessed day.I also bear witness that our Prophet and master, Muhammad, is His servant and messenger, who said, “Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” May Allah bestow His peace and blessings upon him and upon his family and Companions, who followed the path of truth – thebest of all paths.

Now then,
I advise you and advise myself to fear Allah. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “O You Who Believe! Fear Allah (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. [Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always], and die not except in a state of Islam [as Muslims (with complete submission to Allah)].” (Al ‘Imran: 102)

“Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” This is a great statement that has glorious meanings, great implications, and profound impact. Allah is the Reckoner (Al-Hasib),Who is aware of all your movements and Who protects you from your own harm by His grace. He is the One Whose good is eagerly sought, Who suffices us with His grace, and Who removes afflictions with His favours. He is the One Who fulfils needs when called and justly settles any case in which He judges. The statement “Allah is Sufficient as Reckoner” means that He knows all the parts and amounts that His servants can only learn about by making calculations. However, Allah knows all things without need to make calculations.

Allah, Glorified be He, says: “… And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him …” (At-Talaq: 3)

This means that Allah will take charge of all the religious and worldly affairs of those who trust in Him and will relieve all theirdistress and afflictions. Such sufficiency is provided by Allah or by some of His creatures, and any sufficiency that is provided by Allah’s creatures is in fact provided by Him in the first place.

The statement “He is the Best Disposer of affairs” means He is the Best One to trust in for bringing favours and warding off harm and afflictions.The “Disposer of affairs” (Al-Wakil) is the One Who takes good care of all creatures. He is their Creator, the One Who takes charge of all their affairs, the One Who guides them, and the One Who decrees what is best for them. The “Disposer of affairs” is the One Who takes charge of His servants’ affairs by His benevolence, such that He does not neglect them, forsake them, or leave them to anyone but Him. Therefore, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to supplicate Allah, saying, “O Allah! It is Your mercy that I hope for! Do not leave us to ourselves for the blink of an eye.”This means, ‘Do not abandon me to myself to be my own guide,’ for whoever is left to himself will certainly be doomed.

“Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” That is, He is Sufficient for those who put their trust in Him and resort to Him. He is the One Who dispels the fears of the frightened and provides refuge to those who seek refuge in Him.

What an Excellent Protector! And What an Excellent Helper! If anyone seeks Allah’s protection and help, trusts in Him, and devotes himself completely to Him, Allah will protect, preserve, and safeguard him.If anyone fears Allah’s displeasure and guards against His anger, Allah will secure him against whatever he fears and will bring him all the benefits he needs. As Allah says: “And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. …” (At-Talaq: 2-3)

Do not think that the victory, provision, and well-being Allah has promised you are coming so slowly to you, for Allah will certainly accomplish His purpose and He has set a measure for all thingssuch that nothing will occur earlier or later than its set time.

Allah, Exalted be He, says: “O Prophet (Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him)! Allah is Sufficient for you and for the believers who follow you.” (Al-Anfal: 64)

This means ‘Allah alone is Sufficient for protecting you and your followers.’ Allah also says: “Is not Allah Sufficient for His slave? …” (Az-Zumar: 36)

The key to attaining this sufficiency lies in fulfilling servitude to Allah; the more one demonstrates servitude to Allah, Might and Majesty be to Him, the more protection he will receive from Him.Therefore, demonstrate more servitude to Allah, Might and Majesty be to Him, andHe will grant you more protection and support.

“Allah is Sufficient for me, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” This is the servant’s refuge and shelter in times of severe crisis and great distress.Indeed, it is mightier than all sorts of material power and worldly means. It is the Muslim’s resort if his property is unjustly seized, if he is too weak to get his rights, or if he is short of helpers and supporters. It is his solace in times of adversity and his fortified fortress in times of hardship. Reciting this statement with complete certaintymeans that the Muslim believes that there is no might but Allah’s might and that there is no power but Allah’s power.

When a servant is afflicted by a disaster or stricken by a misfortune and then says, “Allah is Sufficient for me, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs,” he is in fact thinking of none but Allah.This makes the afflicted and the grieved know for sure that all things are in the Hand of Allah.Glorified is the Owner of all sovereignty!Glorified is the Owner of all might!And Glorified is the Ever-living, the Immortal!When the servant feels all these meanings, he will easily endure all his calamities and hardships, no matter how great they may be. Therefore, the believing man in Fir‘aun’s (Pharaoh’s) family said: “… and my affair I leave it to Allah. Verily, Allah is the All-Seer of (His) slaves.” (Ghafir: 44).

Ya‘qub (Prophet Jacob), peace be upon him, said, “… “I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you know not.”” (Yusuf: 86)

“Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” It is a supplication for asking help of Allah and a remedy for all that worries the Muslim in this life and in the hereafter. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “If anyone says seven times in the morning and in the evening, ‘Hasbiya allah.La ilahaillaHuwa. ‘AlayhitawakkaltuwaHuwaRabbul-‘arshi al- ‘azim (Allah is sufficient for me. There is no god but Him. In Him I put my trust and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne)’, Allah will protect him against whatever grieves him.”

“Allah is Sufficient for me, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” This is what Ibrahim (Prophet Abraham), peace be upon him, said when he was thrown into the fire, so it became coolness and safety for him. Our Noble Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, also said it when the hypocrites warned him that the disbelievers had amassed a large army to fight them:

“…the people (hypocrites) said, “Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them.” But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: “Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).” So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty.” (Al‘Imran: 173-174)

This statement means entrusting one’s affairs to Allah, Glorified be He, after using all the means at one’s disposal. Muslims should thus seek cure only from Allah, ask none but Him for wealth, and ask none but Him for might and glory. All their hopes, wishes, and desires are dependent upon Him.

“Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” That is what A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said as she rode her camel during the journey in which she was afflicted by lies and slanders. As a result, Allah revealed verses of the Qur’an asserting her chastity and purity that will continue to be recited till the Day of Judgment.

“Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” This is the call of the strong-hearted, whose hearts are filled with such strong faith that they are never influenced by illusions, disturbed by adversities, or touched by fear or weakness. For they know quite well that Allah has promised to grant His full sufficiency to those who trust in Him. As a result, they put their full trust in Allah and are sure that His promise will be fulfilled. Thus, all their distress and worries are relieved and their hardship is replaced by ease, their sorrow by joy, and their fear by peace and security.

“Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” It is the weapon of the caller to Allah. A true believer is never discouraged by rumours; he pursues his aims with confidence, has sincere trust in Allah, and is greatly steadfast in his faith.Allah, Exalted be He, says:

“But if they turn away, say (O Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him): “Allah is Sufficient for me. La ilahaillaHuwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), in Him I put my trust and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.”” (At-Tawbah: 129)

Those who convey Allah’s religion know full well that Allah is their Protector, and so they fear Him and do not pay any heed to those who seek to discourage them.

They are fully convinced that they are following the truth, that their religion is the very truth, and that Allah will grant victory to them even after a while.

“Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” This is the supplication of contentment with what Allah has decreed. Allah, Glorified be He, says: “And of them are some who accuse you (O Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him) in the matter of (the distribution of) the alms. If they are given part thereof, they are pleased, but if they are not given thereof, behold! They are enraged! Would that they were contented with what Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) gave them and had said:

“Allah is Sufficient for us. Allah will give us of His Bounty, and (also) His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him – from alms). We implore Allah (to enrich us).””(At Tawbah: 58-59)

If the Muslim submits to the will of Allah and shows contentment with His decree, this will be far better for him. His contentment should be based on total submission and conviction, and not on coercion and oppression. It is the contentment of one who believes that Allah alone is Sufficient for him and that He protects His servants.

“Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” This is the commandment of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to his Ummahin times of adversity. He said,“How can I feel any pleasure when the angel with the horn[who will blow the horn to announce the coming of the Last Hour] is already holding it to his lips and is awaiting the order to blow it?”This seemed to be burdensome for the Companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, so hesaid to them, “Say, ‘Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs. In Allah we trust.’”

When a servant truly believes that Allah is Sufficient for him, he will not fear the schemes of plotters, nor will he be worried by the conspiracies that the disbelievers and misguided may orchestrate against him. For this reason, Allah, Exalted and Glorified be He, reassured His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and revealed to him the following verse:

“And if they intend to deceive you, then verily, Allah is All- Sufficient for you …” (Al-Anfal: 62)

Yazidibn Hakim used to say, “I have never feared anyone more than a man whom I oppressed when I knew that he had none to support him except Allah, and who said, ‘Allah is Sufficient for me. Allah is [the Judge] between you and me.’”

May Allah bless you and me with the Great Qur’an and make us benefit from its verses and wise words. I have said what you have heard and I ask forgiveness of Allah, the Most Great, for myself, for you, and for all Muslims for any sin we have committed.

Ask Allah for forgiveness. He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.