Based upon Book XXXV of Imam al-Ghazali’s magnum opus “The Revival of the Religious Sciences” (Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din), this course explains the reality of faith in Allah’s Unity (Tawhid) and trust in His Providence (Tawakkul), and how to attain these vital states of the heart. This course, dealing with two essential aspects of faith, illustrates how religious knowledge and one’s state of being are both crucial to be able to attain true faith and trust in divine Providence.

Unwavering belief in Divine Unity and absolute trust in Divine Providence are the pivots on which Allah’s religion turns. Much confusion exists in our times regarding what it means to have a sound and healthy trust in Allah the Exalted. This course will clarify faith if Divine Unity and its natural progression towards trust in Divine Providence.

“The Book of Faith in Divine Unity and Trust in Divine Providence” is Book XXXV of Imam al-Ghazali’s magnum opus, “The Revival of the Religious Sciences” (Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din). Imam al-Ghazali wrote this momentous work out of a deep desire to bring life back to religious learning, the need for which is even more critical in our times. This course, dealing with two essential aspects of faith, illustrates how religious knowledge and one’s state of being are both crucial to be able to attain true faith and trust in divine Providence.

In this course, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains the meaning of faith in Divine Unity (Tawhid) and trust in Divine Providence (Tawakkul), and the ways in which one can attain these vital states of the heart. Tawhid and Tawakkul entail an understanding and acceptance of whatever happens in one’s life as part of the decree of a Just and Merciful God, but this acceptance goes beyond mere resignation or pure intellectualism. As Imam Ghazali himself states, “[this text] will consist in showing you that there is no agent but God the Most High; of all that exists in creation ... the sole One who initiated and originated it all is God Most High. And when this has been made clear to you, you will not see anything else, so that your fear will be of Him, your hope in Him, your trust in Him, and your security with Him, for He is the sole agent without any other. Everything else is in His service, for not even the smallest atom in the worlds of heaven and earth is independent of Him for its movement. If the gates of mystical insight were opened to you, this would be clear to you with clarity more perfect than ordinary vision.”

This course is recommended for both beginners and advanced seekers of knowledge. It offers practical advice on how to raise one’s spiritual resolve from one’s inclination towards other than Allah and reliance upon a ruler other than him. Among the topics covered are:
- Virtue of Trust
- True nature of the faith in Divine Unity upon which Trust is built
- Other beliefs upon which Trust is built
- Degrees of Trust
- Acts of Trust
- Remedy for lack of Trust in Allah

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Book of Tawhid and Tawakkul
Lesson 2: Establishing the Religious Basis of Tawakkul
Lesson 3: The True Nature of Tawhid as the Foundation of Tawakkul
Lesson 4: Witnessing the Subjugated Nature of Creation and How it Relates to Freedom of Choice - Part A
Lesson 5: Witnessing the Subjugated Nature of Creation and How it Relates to Freedom of Choice - Part B
Lesson 6: The State of Tawakkul
Lesson 7: Statements and Actions of the People of Tawakkul
Lesson 8: Clarifying the Actions Related to Tawakkul
Lesson 9: Attending to the Means by Saving
Lesson 10: Attending to Means by Warding off Harm
Lesson 11: Attending to Means by Removing Harm
Lesson 12: Conclusion & Review of Course

None.

"Alhamdulillah, the course was excellent in every regard. Shaykh Yahya is a wonderful teacher and always made an effort to explain how the words of Imam Ghazali (rah) could be practically applied in our lives. Through their combined efforts, the realities of Tawhid and Tawakkul are thankfully far less abstract than before." (Ozair Ismail, United Kingdom)

"The recorded lectures were great. The material covered was great. Time during live sessions was used well."
(Fall 2009 Student)