A muttaqi is the believer whose entire life is organized around guarding the pleasure of Allah, while a mutawakkil is the believer who, on top of taqwa, has a perfected, moment‑to‑moment reliance upon Allah and in every trial and ease.
Taqwa: The steady state of a believer
The Holy Qur’an opens guidance with a direct address to the muttaqin:
“This is the Book; there is no doubt in it; a guidance for the righteous (Al‑muttaqin).” (Surah al‑Baqarah 2:3)
At the beginning of Al‑Baqarah, Allah describes them as those
“who believe in the unseen, establish ,Salat and spend out of what We have provided them…” (2:4–5),
combining correct belief, worship and sacrifice under the umbrella of taqwa.
The essence of a muttaqi is that he constantly “protects himself from sin by obeying Allah and following Islamic law,” guarding even against doubtful matters.
He has an inner discipline: his thoughts, speech and dealings are filtered through the question, “Does this bring me nearer to, or further from, my Lord?”
Tawakkul: The test and crown of Taqwa
Tawakkul is “complete reliance on Allah for everything,” such that the heart’s confidence is in Him alone while the limbs still take the means.
The Qur’an ties this directly to obedience:
“And whoever puts his trust in Allah, then He is sufficient for him.” (Surah at‑Talaq 65:4)
Allah also commands:
“…and when you have resolved, then put your trust in Allah; surely Allah loves those who put their trust (al‑mutawakkilin).” (Surah Aal‑Imran 3:160)
Here, tawakkul comes after consultation and firm resolve, showing that true trust is not passivity but the spiritual seal placed on rightly‑ordered effort.
Mutawakkil as the higher station
The mutawakkil is the muttaqi whose taqwa has been tempered and proven in the furnace of trials, so that no “tawakkul deficit” appears at the moment of crisis.
The Qur’an hints at this hierarchy where fear of Allah leads to a special companionship of divine help:
“Surely Allah is with those who are righteous and those who do good.” (Surah an‑Nahl 16:129)
In other words, taqwa builds the character; tawakkul reveals its mettle.
A person may appear pious in times of ease, but in loss, illness or humiliation, the mutawakkil’s distinguishing mark is a heart that immediately turns to Allah, remains inwardly at rest, and refuses to despair or complain against the Divine decree.
The Holy Prophet(sa) said that if people relied on Allah as He ought to be relied upon, they would be provided for
“as He provides for the birds: they go out hungry in the morning and return with full bellies,”
an image of utilizing the means while the heart depends only on the Provider.
The blessed life of The Prophet(as) is a living synthesis of taqwa (constant obedience) and tawakkul (serene reliance), from the cave of Thawr to the battlefield of Badr.
The Promised Messiah(as) was raised
“to cultivate true piety and understanding among the Muslims,” explicitly to revive living taqwa and a direct relationship of trust with Allah.
Across In The Promised Messiah’s(as) writings and poems we find a call again and again from formalism to a state where the heart’s repose, honor and hope lie only with Allah.
Thus, taqwa is the believer’s permanent dress, but tawakkul is the shining armour that proves its strength when the arrows of trial rain down.