Tafsir of the Hadith from Musnad `Umar b. al-Khattab (ra)

This noble narration from Musnad Ahmad 370 contains profound wisdom regarding tawakkul (trust in Allah). The Prophet (ﷺ) draws a beautiful analogy with birds to illustrate perfect reliance upon the Divine Provider.

The Nature of True Tawakkul

True trust in Allah is not mere verbal affirmation but a state of the heart that manifests in action. The birds do not remain in their nests awaiting sustenance; they venture forth seeking provision, yet their hearts are attached to Allah as the True Provider.

This demonstrates that tawakkul combines effort with spiritual reliance - taking lawful means (asbab) while recognizing that all outcomes ultimately come from Allah's decree.

The Bird's Daily Journey

The empty stomach in the morning represents natural need and dependency, while the full stomach in the evening demonstrates Allah's faithful response to His creatures. This daily cycle serves as a living testimony to divine care.

Just as birds do not hoard food for months but trust in daily provision, believers should maintain similar trust without excessive anxiety about future sustenance.

Practical Implications for Believers

This hadith teaches that while we must engage in worldly occupations and seek lawful provision, our hearts should not be attached to these means but to Allah Himself.

The spiritual state combines outward effort with inward surrender - working as if everything depends on our effort, while trusting as if everything depends on Allah.

Divine Promise and Human Responsibility

Allah's promise of provision is conditional upon genuine tawakkul. When the servant truly relies upon Allah, He becomes responsible for their provision through ways they could not anticipate.

This does not negate the obligation to work and seek lawful means, but rather elevates the spiritual dimension of such efforts when performed with proper intention and trust.