Provision (Rizq)

What is the concept of provision in Islam? If God Almighty provides for all living things, then how come there is hunger and starvation in the world?

We will start with one of the names of Allah SWT, Ar-Razzaq--which means 'the owner of all provision' and 'the ONLY provider'.

Allah SWT says in the Qur'an:

“There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance depends on Allah: He knows the time and place of its definite abode and its temporary deposit: all is in a clear Record.”

Surah Hud: verse 6

“For Allah is He Who gives (all) Sustenance, - Lord of Power, - Steadfast (for ever).”

Az-Zariyat: 58

“Let the man of means spend according to His means; and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him. After a difficulty, Allah will soon grant relief.”

At-Talaq: verse 7

“If Allah were to enlarge the provision for His servants, they would indeed transgress beyond all bounds through the earth; but He sends (it) down in due measure as He pleases. For He is with His servants Well-acquainted, Watchful.”

Ash-Shura: 27

“but the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.”

TaHa, 131

“And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out,

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.”

At-Talaq: verse 2&3

“And remember Abraham said: “My Lord, make this a City of Peace, and feed its People with fruits, - such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day.” He said; “(Yes), and such as reject Faith, - for a while will I grant them their pleasure, but will soon drive them to the torment of Fire, - an evil destination (indeed)!”

Al-Baqarah: 126

“But when they see some bargain or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it, and leave you standing. Say: “The (blessing) from the Presence of Allah is better than any amusement or bargain! And Allah is the Best to provide (for all needs).”

Al-Jumu’ah:11

There are two kinds of Rizq (sustenance):

1. Material Rizq: (called the lower rizq) consisting of money, food, spouses, children, and so on.

2. Spiritual Rizq: (also called higher/elevated rizq) consisting of guidance, eman (faith), taqwa, generosity, comprehension, wisdom, light, cleansing of the soul, elevation in Jannah (paradise), forgiveness, and the ability to do numerous good deeds.

Now going back to the original point:

If you are rich, you are obliged for a certain percentage of your money to be paid as zakat (mandatory tax paid to poor). More so, Allah SWT opens the doors of charity whose limit is untouchable. It's almost like an open challenge. “Do you want to come closer? Spend!” And again, if you look within the pages of Qur'an you’ll find spending is always mentioned as the quality of the believer. You believe and you spend, you believe and you spend.

That was for the rich, but what about the poor? If the poor are patient with their trial of poverty, they will be allowed to enter Jannah (Paradise) before the rich. If the rich do not take care of the poor, they must go to Jahannam (hell) and the poor receive the rewards of the rich.

What's more is that, Allah puts poor people in this situation in order to examine their iman (faith), their tawakkul (their trust in Allah), and their patience. If they truly belong to Allah and are looking for jannah, they will be patient because they know that they will enter Paradise first and get the highest reward. However, if they are to fail, they will be punished in this life and the hereafter, by calamities and hardships.

At this instant, someone may ask, “what about the rich?” As for the rich, they are punished in this life as well, but a different kind of punishment. They are punished with the diseases of stinginess and blindness, to the extent that they will not even spend upon themselves until the day they die. They are trapped in a condition of misery, have no quality, no peace, and no tranquility (sakina). They have a punishment for them in this life, at the moment of death, in the grave, and on the Day of Judgment--in their postponement of being judged.

As a consequence, the whole thing has now become a trial. Everything you see is a trial and everything has its own wisdom. For the rich who are quietly watching this mess, they are responsible. As for the poor who are waiting in agony, they are also responsible. And all this is under the wisdom and vision and knowledge of Allah SWT.