Q: My surname is Abdul-Qawiy. What is the ruling of Islam on this surname? Also, is it permissible to say: "I put my trust in Allah, then in you" or: "I have hope in you brother..."?

A: It is permissible to say: "I put my trust in Allah, then in you" for Tawakkul (putting trust in Allah) is to leave one's affairs to Him and rely on Him Alone. Putting one's trust in the servants of Allah after having Tawakkul in Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) is to authorize His servants to do the things that they can do. Allah (Exalted be He) has Mashi'ah (Will) and so do His servants but the Mashi'ah of the servants of Allah is dependent on that of Allah, who says, To whomsoever among you who wills to walk straight. And you cannot will unless (it be) that Allâh wills - the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). Allah also says, Verily, this (Verse of the Qur’ân) is an admonition, so whosoever wills, let him take a Path to his Lord (Allâh). But you cannot will, unless Allâh wills. Verily, Allâh is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise. (Part No. 1; Page No. 378) Moreover, this matter is clarified by our Prophet (peace be upon him) in the following Hadith that is related by Al-Nasa'y who declared it as Sahih (authentic) on the authority of Qutaylah: A Jew came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: "You make partners to Allah when you (Muslims) say: 'What Allah and you will' and 'By the Ka`bah'." Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered them when taking an oath to say: "By the Lord of the Ka`bah" and "What Allah wills, then what you will". He (peace be upon him) said in another Sahih Hadith: Do not say, "What Allah wills and so-and-so wills," but say: "What Allah wills then so-and-so wills". On the other hand, Abdul-Qawiy can be used as a surname and as a name, for Al-Qawiy "the All-Strong" is one of the Names of Allah (Exalted be He).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.