Taking the First Step with Allah | Hidden Treasures Episode 14 | Shaykh Noor Ul Huda
By Shaykh Noor Ul Huda | 2026-07-30T16:31:42.91549+00:00 | Topic: Tawakkul | Masjid: Miftaah Institute
Summary
Taking the First Step with Allah
- The profound importance of relying on Allah (SWT).
- How taking the initial step can unlock divine assistance.
- Lessons from the stories of the Prophets and righteous individuals.
Musa's Mother: An Act of Unfathomable Trust
- Allah inspired Musa's mother to place her baby in the river.
- An act seemingly impossible for any mother, defying natural instinct.
- Her reliance was solely upon Allah's promise and command.
Understanding Khawf and Huzn
- Allah commanded her: 'Do not have khawf (fear) and do not have huzn (grief).'
- Khawf relates to future anxieties: 'What will happen to my baby?'
- Huzn relates to past sorrow: 'Did I make the right decision?'
- She experienced a mix of these emotions, yet trusted Allah's word.
The Friends of Allah: No Fear, No Grief
- Allah's promise to His awliya (friends and allies).
- They will have nothing to fear or regret on the Day of Judgment.
- Musa's story exemplifies this: Allah returned him and made him a great messenger (Kalimullah).
The Power of Taking the First Step
- Often, the most difficult part is taking that initial step.
- Allah (SWT) only asks us to initiate; He will take care of the rest.
- This principle applies to all aspects of our lives, spiritual and worldly.
True Tawakkul: The Example of Birds
- The Prophet (SAW) taught about true reliance (tawakkul) on Allah.
- If we rely on Allah as we should, He will provide for us.
- Just as birds leave hungry in the morning and return full in the evening.
Taking the First Step with Allah
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says in the Qur'an:
When Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala inspired the mother of Musa alayhi salatu wa tasleem to place him into the river. Now it is unfathomable for any mother to do such a deed. No mother, regardless of how naughty or mischievous the child is, would place that baby into the river and expect the best of the best to happen. But she relied upon Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala — upon the promise of Allah azza wa jal.
And Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says: do not have khawf. And the ulama mention that khawf is generally used for something of the future — as to what is going to happen to my baby. Is he going to be devoured by a creature from the ocean? Or is he going to be saved by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala? And huzn is generally used in the meaning of grief and sorrow, and for something of the past — did I make the right decision? Was this the right thing to do?
And she is having this mix of emotions. But Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala tells her — as He says regarding His awliya:
That the friends and allies of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will not have anything to fear or have remorse over on the Day of Judgement. And the promise of Allah was that we will return him to you — which He did — and we will make him amongst the messengers. And Musa alayhi salam became one of the greatest messengers. And today we know him as Kalimullah — one who spoke directly to Allah azza wa jal.
Taking the First Step
Sometimes it is very difficult for us to take that first step. But all Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is asking us is to take that very step — and Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will take care of the rest.
The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam in a famous narration tells us:
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2344; also recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah and Musnad Ahmad — graded Hasan Sahih)
If you were to have tawakkul and reliance upon Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala as you should have tawakkul upon Him, then Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will take care of your needs like He takes care of the birds — they leave out early in the morning, hungry, empty stomach, and they return in the evenings with a full stomach.
Lessons from the Story of Musa and His Mother
There are many lessons that we can learn from the story of Musa alayhi salam and his mother. The greatest lesson is that we must rely upon Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala — at the same time put an effort from our end.
A man comes to the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam: "Oh Prophet of Allah, should I tie my camel then rely on Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, or just rely on Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala?" He replied: "No, you must tie your camel, then rely upon Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala."
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2517 — graded Hasan)
And those that strive in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala certainly makes a way for them:
I ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to allow us to overcome our shortcomings, and to make this Ramadan a life-changing one for us.
Jazakumullahu khair, wassalamu alaikum warahmatullahi.