In Islam, we believe that all sustenance (rizq) belongs with Allah. Allah is the One who determines our rizq or sustenance. And indeed, one of the names of Allah is ‘Ar-Razzaq’ or ‘The Provider’. This is why Muslims work hard to find a place they can call home,and food to bring to the table, without really worrying about how much they are really making while also trying to allocate some of their income and wealth to those in need.
In Surah Adh-Dhariyat verse 22, Allah says:
“And in heaven is your provision and whatever you are promised.”
This does not mean that we get to just sit back and relax and not do anything to make a living. We earn what Allah promised us to and that is sufficient and the best for us. In Surah Taha verse 15, Allah says:
“… so that every soul may be recompensed according to that for which it strives”
Believing that what we have is enough makes our life less stressful and we get to focus on our ibadah, as well as doing good to others. Allah didn’t just provide sufficient rizq or sustenance for mankind, but also for plants and animals. In the Quran, there are a few places that Allah talks about rizq or sustenance.
Rizq for giving to others
مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَاعِفَهُ لَهُ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَةً ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَقْبِضُ وَيَبْسُطُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Who is he who will offer God a generous loan, so He will multiply it for him manifold? God receives and amplifies, and to Him you will be returned (Surah Al-Baqarah verse 245)
Rizq for every creature on earth, including animals and plants.
وَمَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا ۚ كُلٌّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُبِينٍ
There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance depends on God. And He knows where it lives and where it rests. Everything is in a Clear Book. (Surah Hud verse 6)
Rizq for being grateful
وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيد
And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’ (Surah Ibrahim verse 7)
Rizq for offsprings
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَاقٍ ۖ نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْئًا كَبِيرًا
And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them, and for you. Killing them is a grave sin. (Surah Al-Isra’ verse 31)
Rizq for marriage
وَأَنْكِحُوا الْأَيَامَىٰ مِنْكُمْ وَالصَّالِحِينَ مِنْ عِبَادِكُمْ وَإِمَائِكُمْ ۚ إِنْ يَكُونُوا فُقَرَاءَ يُغْنِهِمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And wed the singles among you, and those who are fit among your servants and maids. If they are poor, God will enrich them from His bounty. God is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing. (Surah An-Nur verse 32)
Rizq that is promised
وَفِي السَّمَاءِ رِزْقُكُمْ وَمَا تُوعَدُونَ
And in the heaven is your livelihood, and what you are promised. (Surah Adh-Dhariyat verse 22)
Rizq for making effort
وَأَنْ لَيْسَ لِلْإِنْسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ
And that the human being attains only what he strives for. (Surah An-Najm verse 39)
Rizq for women who were divorced, and for those who abide by his or her fate with taqwa
وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَنْ يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا
And will provide for him from where he never expected. Whoever relies on God—He will suffice him. God will accomplish His purpose. God has set a measure to all things. (Surah At-Talaq verse 3)
Rizq upon istigfar
١٠ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا
١١ يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِدْرَارًا
I said, ‘Ask your Lord for forgiveness; He is Forgiving. He will let loose the sky upon you in torrents. (Surah Nuh verse 10-11)
