Huzn, and Absence of Trust in God

:Muhammad Mahdi al-Naraqi

2013/05/26

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Huzn

Huzn means grief and remorse for losing or failing to attain something cherished. Huzn, like sakhat, follows from karahah.

Absence of Trust in God

This vice consists of reliance on intermediate means, not God, for solution of one's problems. It is caused by insufficient faith, and originates from the Powers of Intellect and Passion. Reliance on intermediary means is a form of shirk (polytheism).

The opposite of this vice is tawakkul (trust) in God in all aspects of one's life, with the belief that God is the only effective force in the universe. This is the meaning of the famous dictum:

There is no power or might except that [it is derived] from God.

And the Quran explicitly states:

... And whosoever puts his trust in God, He will suffice him ... (65:3)

And the Prophet (S) has said:

Whosoever abandons hope in everything except God, He shall take care of his means of life.

It should be noted that the notion of tawakkul does not contradict the idea that man has to undertake endeavour in order to benefit from the bounties of God. This is why Islam considers it obligatory for the individual to strive in order to make a living for his family, defend himself, and to fight for his rights. What is important is to consider all these intermediary means as subject to God's authority and power, without any independent role of their own.