Short answer
No. Wu wei means not forcing things. It is acting without strain or show, like water that helps all things and does not strive. Islam also teaches calm, humility and trust in God (﷾). But wu wei leaves two questions open. Not forcing things by whose measure? And trust in whom? The Tao Te Ching says the Way of Heaven does not speak or call. Islam teaches that God (﷾) has spoken. He set the Prophet (ﷺ) on a Way and told him, "follow thou that (Way)" (45:18). He hears the one who calls on Him. He asks us to do our part, then trust Him (3:159). Islam condemns good done for show, and asks for worship from the heart. It also commands justice, even against ourselves (4:135). Islam is a complete way of life, and the Qur'an invites everyone to test it.
Full explanation
What wu wei means
The Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) is the short classic of Taoism, traditionally said to be by Laozi (Lao-tze). Its key word is the Tao (Dao in pinyin), meaning "the Way". Wu wei, literally "without doing", is its ideal of action. The site's English translation, by James Legge, renders it "doing nothing (on purpose)" or "non-action". The book says the Tao "does nothing (for the sake of doing it)", and yet there is nothing it does not do (37). The one who follows the Tao lessens his doing until he reaches non-action. Then, the book says, there is nothing he does not do (48). Its picture of this is water. Water benefits all things, does not strive, and takes the low place that people dislike (8).
“The Tao in its regular course does nothing (for the sake of doing it), and so there is nothing which it does not do.”
“He diminishes it and again diminishes it, till he arrives at doing nothing (on purpose). Having arrived at this point of non-action, there is nothing which he does not do.”
“The highest excellence is like (that of) water. The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving (to the contrary), the low place which all men dislike. Hence (its way) is near to (that of) the Tao.”
Not idleness
Wu wei is not laziness, and this page does not claim it is. The book tells its reader to act early: "Action should be taken before a thing has made its appearance" (64). Legge notes that the Taoist "doing nothing" was not complete stillness, "but had a method in it". So wu wei means acting without strain, without show, and without forcing things against their nature.
“Action should be taken before a thing has made its appearance; order should be secured before disorder has begun.”
“It follows from the whole chapter that the Taoistic 'doing nothing' was not an absolute quiescence and inaction, but had a method in it.”
Common ground: calm, humility and trust
Islam also prizes calm and humility. The Qur'an praises those who "walk on the earth in humility". When the ignorant speak to them, they say, "Peace!" (25:63). Islam also teaches tawakkul, which means trust in God (﷾). "If any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him" (65:3). These are real common ground. The difference lies in two questions that wu wei leaves open.
“And the servants of (Allah) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, "Peace!";”
“And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.”
Not forcing things: by whose measure?
To avoid forcing things, we need to know what is natural and right. The Tao Te Ching's answer is the Tao. But the book does not present itself as the Way's own words. It says the Way of Heaven (Tian, or T'ien in Legge's spelling: the order above the world) does not speak. Nor does it call, though people come to it (73). So the book gives a sage's counsel, not words it says the Way itself has spoken. Islam teaches that God (﷾) placed a sense of right and wrong in every soul (91:8). But where people differ, conscience alone does not settle it. So God (﷾) has also spoken in words, through His messengers (42:51). He set the Prophet (ﷺ) on a Way and said: "follow thou that (Way), and follow not the desires of those who know not" (45:18).
“It is the way of Heaven not to strive, and yet it skilfully overcomes; not to speak, and yet it is skilful in obtaining a reply; does not call, and yet men come to it of themselves. Its demonstrations are quiet, and yet its plans are skilful and effective. The meshes of the net of Heaven are large; far apart, but letting nothing escape.”
“By the Soul, and the proportion and order given to it; And its enlightenment as to its wrong and its right;-”
“It is not fitting for a man that Allah should speak to him except by inspiration, or from behind a veil, or by the sending of a messenger to reveal, with Allah's permission, what Allah wills: for He is Most High, Most Wise.”
“Then We put thee on the (right) Way of Religion: so follow thou that (Way), and follow not the desires of those who know not.”
Trust in whom? Effort, then trust
Tawakkul is trust in Someone who hears, not in an order that does not. God (﷾) says: "I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me" (2:186). Islam also joins trust to effort. The Qur'an tells the Prophet (ﷺ) to take his decision, and then put his trust in Allah (3:159). It says a person has nothing but what he strives for (53:39). God (﷾) does not change a people's lot until they change what is in their hearts (13:11). The Prophet (ﷺ) said: strive for what benefits you, seek God's (﷾) help, and do not give up (Muslim 2664). He also said that each person's place in the next life is already written. His Companions asked whether they should rely on that and stop doing deeds. He answered: keep doing good deeds (Bukhari 4949). What God (﷾) has written is His knowledge of what each person will freely choose. It forces no one: "We showed him the Way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will)" (76:3).
“When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way.”
“It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee: so pass over (Their faults), and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then, when thou hast Taken a decision put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).”
“Namely, that no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another; That man can have nothing but what he strives for;”
“For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him: They guard him by command of Allah. Allah does not change a people's lot unless they change what is in their hearts. But when (once) Allah willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect.”
Abu Hurayra reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said the strong believer is better and more beloved to God than the weak believer, though there is good in both. Strive for what benefits you, seek God's help, and do not give up. If something befalls you, do not say "if only I had done this", but say that God decreed it and did what He willed, for "if only" opens the door to Satan.
Ali reports that at a funeral the Prophet (ﷺ) said every person's place in Paradise or the Fire has already been written. The Companions asked whether they should then rely on what was written and give up doing deeds. He said: keep doing deeds, for each person will find it easy to do the deeds that lead to where he was created for. He then recited Qur'an 92:5-7.
“We showed him the Way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will).”
Rules kept for show
The strongest Taoist reply comes from the book itself. When the Great Tao was no longer followed, "benevolence and righteousness came into vogue", and "there ensued great hypocrisy" (18). Propriety (li, the rites), it says, is "the commencement of disorder" (38). Legge reads these chapters as telling of a decay from an early time when the Tao guided society. Islam agrees that rules kept for show are worthless. The Qur'an says "woe to the worshippers" who pray only "to be seen" (107:4-7). The Prophet (ﷺ) said deeds are judged by their intentions (Bukhari 1). Islam's highest rank is ihsan: to worship Allah (﷾) as if you see Him, for though you do not see Him, He sees you (Muslim 8). Hypocrisy follows praise and gain, with or without a book. Islam's cure is not fewer duties. It is a Judge who knows "all that the hearts (of men) conceal" (40:19). Show gains nothing before Him.
“When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. (Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy. When harmony no longer prevailed throughout the six kinships, filial sons found their manifestation; when the states and clans fell into disorder, loyal ministers appeared.”
“Thus it was that when the Tao was lost, its attributes appeared; when its attributes were lost, benevolence appeared; when benevolence was lost, righteousness appeared; and when righteousness was lost, the proprieties appeared. Now propriety is the attenuated form of leal-heartedness and good faith, and is also the commencement of disorder;”
“the whole chapter must be understood as descriptive of the process of decay and deterioration from the early time in which the Tao and its attributes swayed the societies of men.”
“So woe to the worshippers Who are neglectful of their prayers, Those who (want but) to be seen (of men), But refuse (to supply) (even) neighbourly needs.”
Umar ibn al-Khattab heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say that deeds are judged by their intentions, and each person receives what he intended. A man who emigrated for worldly gain or to marry a woman has only what he emigrated for.
Umar ibn al-Khattab reports that a stranger in very white clothes asked the Prophet (ﷺ) about Islam, faith and ihsan (excellence). Asked about ihsan, the Prophet said it is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for though you do not see Him, He sees you. Afterwards the Prophet told Umar the stranger was Gabriel, who had come to teach them their religion.
“(Allah) knows of (the tricks) that deceive with the eyes, and all that the hearts (of men) conceal.”
When people wrong each other
But people do wrong whether or not a book tells them to do less. The Tao Te Ching itself speaks of families out of harmony and states in disorder (18). Then someone must say what is just, and the wronged need a judge. The Qur'an's answer is guidance, not less of it. God (﷾) sent messengers with the Book "to judge between people in matters wherein they differed" (2:213). He commands justice "even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin" (4:135). He also warns: "Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do" (4:135).
“When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. (Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy. When harmony no longer prevailed throughout the six kinships, filial sons found their manifestation; when the states and clans fell into disorder, loyal ministers appeared.”
“Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed;”
“O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.”
Nature shows; it does not command
Taoists take water and nature as teachers. Islam agrees that nature is full of signs. The heavens, the earth and the change of night and day are "Signs for men of understanding" (3:190). But nature shows what is. It does not tell us, in words, what we owe to each other. A sign points to its Maker. The people of understanding in the next verse look at creation and turn to Him: "Our Lord! not for naught Hast Thou created (all) this!" (3:191).
“Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,- there are indeed Signs for men of understanding,- Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (With the thought): "Our Lord! not for naught Hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire.”
Islam's answer: a complete way of life
Islam is a deen, a complete way of life: belief, worship, law, family and character together. Calm, effort and trust belong to it as one whole. The Qur'an says God (﷾) has perfected this way for believers and chosen Islam for them (5:3). It tells believers to enter it whole-heartedly (2:208). The page "What is Islam?" shows the whole in one place. The Qur'an invites everyone to test it, so read it and test it (2:23). Then consider the Messenger it names, Muhammad (ﷺ), the Seal of the Prophets, meaning the last of them (33:40). He was sent to all people (7:158).
“This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”
“O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the evil one; for he is to you an avowed enemy.”
“And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Sura like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true.”
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things.”
“Say: "O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He That giveth both life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, who believeth in Allah and His words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided."”
Six questions and replies
Tao Te Ching 64 — Daodejing, chapter 64, paragraph 1
“Action should be taken before a thing has made its appearance; order should be secured before disorder has begun.”
Cited for
You are treating wu wei as doing nothing. It is not passivity. It is acting early and without strain, as water does.
The response
Agreed, and this page says so. Wu wei is a method, not idleness (Legge on chapter 63). But any method needs a measure of what is right, and the book says the Way of Heaven does not speak (73). Islam teaches that God (﷾) has spoken and set out a Way (45:18).
Where it lands — Wu wei is a way of acting. The question is who says what is right.
Qur'an 65:3 — Surat al-Talaq (Divorce), verse 3
“And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.”
Cited for
Trust in God is just wu wei by another name: let go, and let things take their course.
The response
Tawakkul is not letting go of effort. The Qur'an tells the Prophet (ﷺ) to take his decision, then put his trust in Allah (3:159). A person has nothing but what he strives for (53:39). When people asked whether to rely on what is written and stop acting, the Prophet (ﷺ) said: keep doing good deeds (Bukhari 4949). God's (﷾) writing is His knowledge, not a force that pushes anyone (76:3). After doing his part, the believer accepts what God (﷾) decrees, without saying "if only" (Muslim 2664). He accepts it from One who is wise and hears: "I listen to the prayer of every suppliant" (2:186).
Where it lands — Wu wei trusts the course of things. Tawakkul trusts the One who hears, after doing one's part.
Tao Te Ching 18 — Daodejing, chapter 18, paragraphs 1-2
“When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. (Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy. When harmony no longer prevailed throughout the six kinships, filial sons found their manifestation; when the states and clans fell into disorder, loyal ministers appeared.”
Cited for
The Tao Te Ching says benevolence and righteousness came in only when the Way was lost, and hypocrisy came with them (18; 38). Commanded morality is the problem, not the cure.
The response
Islam agrees that rules kept for show are worthless: "woe to the worshippers" who want only "to be seen" (107:4-7). Its highest rank is ihsan, worship from the heart (Muslim 8). He sees what we hide (40:19), so show gains nothing before Him. But people wrong each other whether or not a book says "do less". Chapter 18 itself speaks of families and states in disorder. God's (﷾) remedy is a Book to judge between people (2:213), and justice even against ourselves (4:135).
Where it lands — Show without the heart is worthless. But the wronged still need a just measure and a Judge.
Tao Te Ching 8 — Daodejing, chapter 8, paragraph 1
“The highest excellence is like (that of) water. The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving (to the contrary), the low place which all men dislike. Hence (its way) is near to (that of) the Tao.”
Cited for
Look at water and the seasons. Nature teaches without words. That is guidance enough.
The response
Islam agrees that creation is full of signs for people of understanding (3:190). But nature shows what is, not what we owe each other. The people of understanding look at creation and turn to its Maker: "Our Lord! not for naught Hast Thou created (all) this!" (3:191).
Where it lands — Nature is a sign that points to its Maker. It is not a lawgiver.
Tao Te Ching 7 — Daodejing, chapter 7, paragraph 2
“Therefore the sage puts his own person last, and yet it is found in the foremost place; he treats his person as if it were foreign to him, and yet that person is preserved. Is it not because he has no personal and private ends, that therefore such ends are realised?”
Cited for
The sage acts without seeking anything for himself. A Muslim does good for the sake of Paradise. That is a trade, not virtue.
The response
Islam does not hide the reward. The Qur'an itself offers believers "a bargain that will save you from a grievous Penalty" (61:10). But God (﷾) gains nothing from it: "Allah is the One Free of all wants" (35:15). All the gain is ours. Believers feed the needy "for the sake of Allah alone", wanting no reward or thanks from those they feed (76:9). Deeds are judged by their intentions (Bukhari 1). God (﷾) rewards good done with faith (16:97).
Where it lands — God (﷾) needs nothing from our good deeds. He asks that they be done for His sake alone, and He rewards them.
Tao Te Ching 73 — Daodejing, chapter 73, paragraph 2
“It is the way of Heaven not to strive, and yet it skilfully overcomes; not to speak, and yet it is skilful in obtaining a reply; does not call, and yet men come to it of themselves. Its demonstrations are quiet, and yet its plans are skilful and effective. The meshes of the net of Heaven are large; far apart, but letting nothing escape.”
Cited for
The Way of Heaven does not speak, yet its net lets nothing escape (73). It needs no words to keep order.
The response
Islam agrees that no deed is lost: an atom's weight of good or evil will be seen (99:7-8). Islam agrees, too, that every soul has a sense of right and wrong (91:8). But silence cannot judge between people who differ (2:213). God (﷾) has spoken in words, through His messengers (42:51). He calls people to Himself: "Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me" (2:186).
Where it lands — Both hold that wrong does not escape. In Islam, God (﷾) has also said in words what He asks.
Perspectives
Taoist
The highest way is wu wei: acting without strain, without show and without forcing things, like water. When the Tao was lost, rules of benevolence, righteousness and propriety appeared, and hypocrisy came with them.
Wu wei is not passivity. It is effortless action that acts early, before trouble begins (Tao Te Ching 64). Legge too says it "had a method in it".
Rebuttal
Granted. But effortless action still needs a measure of what is right, and Someone to trust. Islam teaches that God (﷾) has given His Way in words (42:51; 45:18). He hears whoever calls on Him (2:186).
Nature is the best guide. Water benefits all things without striving, and its way is near to the Tao (Tao Te Ching 8).
Rebuttal
Nature shows what is, not what we ought to do. The Qur'an calls creation a sign for people of understanding (3:190). A sign points to its Maker; it is not His command.
Commanded morality is the sign that the Way was lost. When the Great Tao was no longer followed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue, and great hypocrisy followed (Tao Te Ching 18; 38). And "the more display there is of legislation, the more thieves and robbers there are" (57).
Rebuttal
Islam agrees that rules kept for show are worthless (107:4-7). But show is cured by a Judge who sees the heart (40:19), not by fewer duties. People wrong each other with or without a book. God (﷾) sent messengers with a Book to judge between them (2:213). He commands justice even against ourselves (4:135).
The Way of Heaven needs no words. It does not speak, yet it is answered; and its net lets nothing escape (Tao Te Ching 73).
Rebuttal
Islam agrees that no deed escapes: an atom's weight of good or evil will be seen (99:7-8). God (﷾) also placed a sense of right and wrong in every soul (91:8). But conscience does not settle where people differ. So God (﷾) has also spoken in words, through His messengers (42:51; 2:213).
The Islamic perspective
Islam shares the love of calm, humility and trust. But it says whom to trust and by what measure to live. God (﷾) has spoken, set out a Way, and hears those who call on Him. Effort comes first, then trust; worship comes from the heart; and justice binds everyone.
The Qur'an praises those who walk on the earth in humility. It says Allah (﷾) is enough for whoever puts his trust in Him.
God (﷾) has spoken in words, through His messengers, and set out a Way to follow.
Trust in God (﷾) comes after effort. The Qur'an tells the Prophet (ﷺ) to decide and then trust in Allah (﷾), and says a person has nothing but what he strives for.
Islam condemns worship done for show. Deeds are judged by their intentions, and ihsan is to worship Allah (﷾) as if you see Him.
God (﷾) sent messengers with a Book to judge where people differ. He commands justice even against oneself and one's own family.
Islam (deen) is a complete way of life. The Qur'an invites everyone to test it, and names Muhammad (ﷺ) the Seal of the Prophets, sent to all people.