Now I have to confess: the election results are still on my mind (as I imagine they may be on your mind, too), and in the the past few weeks I’ve caught myself saying this one slightly obscure but beloved phrase over and over again to myself and to others as we process our varying reactions and responses to President-elect Trump:
“Trust in God, but tie your camel.”
This saying, as relayed by the scholar Al-Tirmidhi, is an ancient Arab phrase attributed to the prophet Mohammed who, when one day he saw a Bedouin leaving his camel without tethering it, questioned him as to why he was doing this. The Bedouin replied that he was placing his trust in Allah and had no need to tie the camel. The prophet Mohammed then replied, “Tie your camel and place your trust in Allah.”
While I cannot remember where and when I first heard this phrase, I know loved it immediately and tucked it away in my heart as one of my most guiding life principles, calling upon it again and again like a sort of touchstone in my pocket.
“Trust in God, but tie your camel.”
Why do I love this phrase so much? Well, it’s not because I identity as religious. Nor do I own an actual camel. (Wouldn’t that be something to see in Berkeley, though?!)
No, I love this phrase because it’s one that I, as a heavily action-oriented person, can well and truly get behind: Do the legwork and then let go; Say a prayer but move your feet; Eyes on the stars but feet in the mud; Do your best and then leave the rest to God (or Spirit, Source, the Universe, Goddess, etc.).
