Whoever Relies on Allah, He Is Sufficient for Him
At-Talaq 65:2–3. Also known as Wa man yatawakkal alallahi fahuwa hasbuh, Wa man yattaqillaha yaj'al lahu makhraja, Ayat for provision
فَإِذَا بَلَغۡنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَأَمۡسِكُوهُنَّ بِمَعۡرُوفٍ أَوۡ فَارِقُوهُنَّ بِمَعۡرُوفٖ وَأَشۡهِدُواْ ذَوَيۡ عَدۡلٖ مِّنكُمۡ وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلشَّهَٰدَةَ لِلَّهِۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ يُوعَظُ بِهِۦ مَن كَانَ يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُۥ مَخۡرَجٗا ﴿٢﴾ وَيَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَحۡتَسِبُۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسۡبُهُۥٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَٰلِغُ أَمۡرِهِۦۚ قَدۡ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدۡرٗا ﴿٣﴾
Faitha balaghna ajalahunna faamsikoohunna bimaAAroofin aw fariqoohunna bimaAAroofin waashhidoo thaway AAadlin minkum waaqeemoo alshshahadata lillahi thalikum yooAAathu bihi man kana yuminu biAllahi waalyawmi alakhiri waman yattaqi Allaha yajAAal lahu makhrajan Wayarzuqhu min haythu la yahtasibu waman yatawakkal AAala Allahi fahuwa hasbuhu inna Allaha balighu amrihi qad jaAAala Allahu likulli shayin qadran
2Once they have reached their term, either retain them honorably, or separate from them honorably. And call to witness two just people from among you, and give upright testimony for Allah. By that is exhorted whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day. And whoever fears Allah—He will make a way out for him. 3And will provide for him from where he never expected. Whoever relies on Allah—He will suffice him. Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has set a measure to all things.
Verses 2 and 3 of Surah At-Talaq, the 65th surah, contain two promises that Muslims quote often. Whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them and provide for them from where they did not expect. Whoever relies on Allah, He is enough for them.
Many people meet these lines on their own, as words of comfort about money, work or a closed door. It helps to know that they sit inside a passage about divorce, a moment when people are most likely to feel trapped and uncertain.
What it means
Part ways or stay together honorably
Verse 2 begins by telling those whose waiting period after divorce is ending either to keep their spouse on good terms or to part on good terms, and to have two just witnesses. Fairness is required in either case.
An instruction for those who believe
The verse says this guidance is for anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day. It frames the rules as a matter of faith, not only of law.
A way out
Then comes the first promise: whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them. In the context of a painful separation, this speaks to someone who feels there is no good path ahead.
Provision from unexpected places
Verse 3 continues that Allah will provide for such a person from where they never expected. The help is not limited to the ways a person can foresee.
Allah is enough for whoever relies on Him
Whoever puts their trust in Allah, He is sufficient for them. The verse adds that Allah will accomplish His purpose and has set a measure for everything, so trust is paired with acceptance of His timing.
Where it sits in Surah At-Talaq
Surah At-Talaq is a Medinan surah of 12 verses about divorce. Verse 1 tells the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the believers how and when divorce should take place, not to drive wives out of their homes during the waiting period, and that perhaps Allah will bring about a new situation afterward. Verses 2 and 3 follow. Verse 4 sets the waiting period for women who no longer menstruate, those who have not yet, and those who are pregnant, and adds that whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make their matters easy. Verse 5 promises forgiveness and greater reward to the mindful, and verse 7 says each should spend according to their means and that Allah will bring ease after hardship.
How it is used
These verses are often recited by people seeking provision, a job or a way out of a difficult situation. Sunan at-Tirmidhi reports, from Umar ibn al-Khattab, that the Prophet ﷺ said that if people relied on Allah as He truly deserves, He would provide for them as He provides for the birds, which go out hungry in the morning and return full in the evening. At-Tirmidhi graded it hasan sahih. Scholars point out that the birds still leave their nests, so relying on Allah goes together with making an effort.
Questions
Where in the Quran does it say Allah will provide from where you do not expect?
In Surah At-Talaq, 65:2-3.
Are these verses only about divorce?
They were revealed in a passage about divorce, but scholars have long applied the general promises in them, a way out for the mindful and sufficiency for those who rely on Allah, to every situation.
Does relying on Allah mean not making any effort?
No. The hadith about the birds in Sunan at-Tirmidhi describes birds going out to find food. Scholars explain that trust in Allah is in the heart, alongside effort in action.