Today’s Quranic Word of the Day is Rizq

Rizq means provision. It includes everything that we have been provided with by Allah. While wealth is a form of provision, it is not the only form of rizq. Allah has provided us with many other forms of rizq. He provided us with external rizq like food, shelter, and clothing. He also provides us with internal rizq like knowledge, love, and guidance.

.

Provisions and the Lordship of Allah

The ability to provide for all creatures is one of the attributes that show the Lordship of Allah ﷻ, as no one can ever try or achieve this feat. If someone provides for another it is only from what he has been given from the provision of Allah. This attribute should direct us to His worship alone. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ هَلْ مِنْ خَالِقٍ غَيْرُ اللَّهِ يَرْزُقُكُم مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤْفَكُونَ

[Quran 35:3]

O mankind, remember the favour of Allah upon you. Is there any creator other than Allah who provides for you from the heaven and earth? There is no deity except Him, so how are you deluded?

But as for those who are ingrates and still persist in associating partners with Allah, He cited for them an example in the Quran with the provisions that He has provided for them. He says,

وَاللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِي الرِّزْقِ ۚ فَمَا الَّذِينَ فُضِّلُوا بِرَادِّي رِزْقِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَهُمْ فِيهِ سَوَاءٌ ۚ أَفَبِنِعْمَةِ اللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ

[Quran 16:71]

And Allah has favoured some of you over others in provision. But those who were favoured would not hand over their provision to those whom their right hands possess so they would be equal to them therein. Then is it the favour of Allah they reject?

This means that the ignorant ones and disbelievers would not accept for their servants and slaves to have an equal share in their wealth which Allah has provided for them. So, how is it that Allah would accept His servants to be His equal in Divinity, Glory, and Power?

One of Allah’s beautiful names is Ar-Razzaq, as nobody truly provides for us but Allah. He created His creations and never expected any provision from any one of them instead He wants them to submit and worship Him.

.

Provision as a Test

The quantity of provision that one has is not a sign of Allah’s love or anger. Although, it is in human nature to feel as though provisions reflect whether Allah favours us or not. The truth however is that provision is one of Allah’s tests to see how you will react to what you have been given.

Allah has said in the Quran:

. فَأَمَّا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ إِذَا مَا ٱبۡتَلَىٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ فَأَكۡرَمَهُۥ وَنَعَّمَهُۥ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّيٓ: أَكۡرَمَنِ – وَأَمَّآ إِذَا مَا ٱبۡتَلَىٰهُ فَقَدَرَ عَلَيۡهِ رِزۡقَهُۥ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّيٓ- أَهَٰنَنِ

[Quran 89:15-16]

And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, “My Lord has honored me.” But when He tests them by limiting their provision, they protest, “My Lord has ˹undeservedly˺ humiliated me!”

Those whose provisions have been limited should show patience, while those who have been given lots of provisions should be grateful. So let us show patience and gratitude to Allah for His provision.

.

Distribution of Provision

Allah provides for animals and others; those that we know and those that we do not. Allah says:

وَمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا ۚ كُلٌّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ

[Quran 11:6]

And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage. All is in a clear register.

The one who receives these provisions is only known to Allah and has been destined according to His will. The quantity of rizq that one will receive is known only to Allah and has been destined and willed. Allah says:

اللَّهُ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَقْدِرُ لَهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

[Quran 29:62]

Allah extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts for him. Indeed Allah is, of all things, Knowing.

Allah provides for everyone. Either you believe in Him or you do not. When Prophet Ibraheem may the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him supplicated that Allah should provide only for those who believe, Allah responded and those who disbelieve too.

The provision for the believers is a little enjoyment for them in this world, while in the Hereafter, they will have more. However, for the unbelievers, when provision becomes an allurement, it only serves as bait that leads to a just and severe punishment in the Hereafter.

وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٰهِـۧمُ رَبِّ ٱجۡعَلۡ هَٰذَا بَلَدًا ءَامِنٗا وَٱرۡزُقۡ أَهۡلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ مِنۡهُم بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِۚ قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُۥ قَلِيلٗا ثُمَّ أَضۡطَرُّهُۥٓ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ ٱلنَّارِۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ

[Quran 2:126]

And [mention] when Abraham said, “My Lord, make this a secure city and provide its people with fruits – whoever of them believes in Allah and the Last Day.” [Allah] said, “And whoever disbelieves – I will grant him enjoyment for a little; then I will force him to the punishment of the Fire, and wretched is the destination.”

.

What Increases Someone’s Provisions?

Piety and Faith

Allah ﷻ promised to provide for those who believe in Him and are pious. This is because they are most entitled to whatever provision they need from Allah as they are obedient and submissive. Allah says:

وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا – وَيَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَحۡتَسِبُۚ

[Quran 65:2-3]

And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect.

Reliance on Allah

Among those things that increase one’s provision is relying on Allah ﷻ because the provision that one will get in this world has been written down in the womb; and if he runs away from this provision, it will surely meet him the same way his death will surely meet him. Allah says:

وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ

[Quran 65:3]

And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him.

Likewise, it has been reported from the Prophet, ﷺ that

عن عمر رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول ‏:‏ ‏ “‏لو أنكم تتوكلون على الله حق توكله لرزقكم كما يرزق الطير ، تغدو خماصاً وتروح بطاناً‏”‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه الترمذي ، وقال حديث حسن ‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

[Riyad as-Salihin 79]

‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: “If you all depend on Allah with due reliance, He would certainly give you provision as He gives it to birds who go forth hungry in the morning and return with their bellies full  at dusk”.

Seeking Forgiveness

Sins also cause provisions to be prevented or delayed. If one sins much, he may experience this. One of the ways to get out of this is by seeking forgiveness from Allah. An example of this is Prophet Nuh’s advice to his people. He advised them to seek forgiveness from Allah and that He would provide for them, increase their wealth and children.

فَقُلۡتُ ٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفَّارٗا . يُرۡسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيۡكُم مِّدۡرَارٗا – وَيُمۡدِدۡكُم بِأَمۡوَٰلٖ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجۡعَل لَّكُمۡ جَنَّٰتٖ وَيَجۡعَل لَّكُمۡ أَنۡهَٰرٗا

[Quran 71:10-12]

And said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers. And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers.

Supplication

Allah has already promised whoever calls on Him; He will surely answer with whatever he asks. So, if someone asks for provisions from Allah, He will grant it by His mercy. The likes of this are what Prophet Isa, may the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him, did when his people demanded provisions from him. He called unto Allah and He sent down a table full of food.

قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ ٱللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَآ أَنزِلۡ عَلَيۡنَا مَآئِدَةٗ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيدٗا لِّأَوَّلِنَا وَءَاخِرِنَا وَءَايَةٗ مِّنكَۖ وَٱرۡزُقۡنَا وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ

[Quran 5:114]

Said Jesus, the son of Mary, “O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers.”

From the hadith, we can find the supplication our Prophet ﷺ recommended, as it has been narrated that he used to say:

عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ كَانَ يَقُولُ إِذَا صَلَّى الصُّبْحَ حِينَ يُسَلِّمُ ‏ “‏ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا وَعَمَلاً مُتَقَبَّلاً ‏”‏ ‏.‏

[Sunan Ibn Majah 925]

It was narrated from Umm Salamah that when the Prophet (ﷺ) performed the Subh (morning prayer), while he said the Salam, he would say: “O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, goodly provision and acceptable deeds).”

Giving Charity

Giving charity to the poor, needy, and less privileged is often emphasised in the Quran. Showing mercy towards them makes Allah show mercy to us. By doing this, Allah will increase the provision of someone.

It has been authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

مَا مِنْ يَوْمٍ يُصْبِحُ الْعِبَادُ فِيهِ إِلاَّ مَلَكَانِ يَنْزِلاَنِ فَيَقُولُ أَحَدُهُمَا اللَّهُمَّ أَعْطِ مُنْفِقًا خَلَفًا، وَيَقُولُ الآخَرُ اللَّهُمَّ أَعْطِ مُمْسِكًا تَلَفًا

[Sahih al-Bukhari]

Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,’ and the other (angel) says, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser.’

Also, Allah says:

قُلْ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقْدِرُ لَهُۥ ۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَىْءٍۢ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُۥ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ

[Quran 34:39]

Say, “Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts [it] for him. But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] – He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers.”

Joining the Ties of Kinship

Among the ways to increase one’s provision from Allah is by joining the ties of kinship. The Prophet, ﷺ said:

 قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُبْسَطَ لَهُ فِي رِزْقِهِ، وَيُنْسَأَ لَهُ فِي أَثَرِهِ، فَلْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ ‏”‏‏.‏

[Sahih al-Bukhari 5986]

Narrated Anas bin Malik: Rasulullah said, “Whoever loves that he be granted more wealth and that his lease of life be prolonged then he should keep good relations with his Kith and kin.”

Let us thank Allah for all He provides for us.

As Salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi

.

Conjugations of Al Rizq (الرِّزْقِ)
found in the Quran

.

Discover More Quranic Arabic Words

What did you learn from the different forms of the work Rizq in the Quran?

If you want to further deepen your connection with the Quran, check out our Arabic Unlocked App to discover a fun, easy, and effective way to learn new Arabic vocabulary.

Arabic Unlocked App

• Multimedia micro-lessons to reach your goals with as little as 5-10 minutes a day.
  
  
• Optimise revision with tailored spaced repetition technology to accelerate your progress.
  
  
• Enjoy learning with fun challenges and gamification.