For a More Peaceful Life

Sheikh Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Athaillah al-Sakandari was a 13th-century Sufi scholar. The title ‘al-Sakandari’ refers to his birthplace, Alexandria in Egypt.

Ibn ’Athaillah was a prolific scholar, authoring at least 20 works covering Sufism, theology, usul al-fiqh, Arabic grammar, Quranic exegesis, and hadith. His most famous work is Al-Hikam, which contains various pieces of advice and reflections.

Surrendering

In Al-Hikam, Ibn ’Athaillah explains that surrender is not laziness. A Muslim does not stop working and praying under the pretext that everything has been entrusted to Allah SWT, as everyone must strive. What distinguishes a believer is not just effort, but also the conviction that Allah governs all things. While working diligently and praying, the faithful place their hope solely in Allah Ta’ala, for only He is worthy of reliance and capable of providing security. True surrender is letting go of dependence on anything other than Him.