Providence
Every Muslim must firmly believe that Allah – the Exalted – has predetermined the sustenance for all creatures. This is supported by His statement: (And there is no creature on Earth but that upon Allah is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and its repository; all is in a clear register). In linguistic terms, providence refers to the act of giving, whether in this world or the Hereafter. It is important to note that Allah is the sole Provider; no one else shares this role. He created His servants and bestowed upon them their sustenance without any effort, fatigue, or cost on His part. Moreover, He grants His servants what they ask for without diminishing His own kingdom in any way. The title “Provider” is mentioned several times in the Holy Qur’an, emphasizing that Allah – the Exalted – continuously provides for all His servants, showcasing His might, which signifies that no one is beyond His capacity to provide. However, it is the duty of the servant to strive for their sustenance and earn it, while placing their trust in Allah, the Almighty. It should also be understood by Muslims that an abundance of provision does not necessarily indicate Allah’s love for a servant, even if non-believers seem to be more prosperous than the believers and doers of good. Furthermore, Muslims are encouraged to exercise patience and put their trust in Allah regarding their sustenance, reflecting on those who are less fortunate in terms of provision as a means to motivate them to express gratitude and appreciation for Allah’s enduring blessings.
Ways to Attain Blessings in Provision
Some individuals express concerns about the lack of blessings in their provisions—be it in wealth, children, spouses, longevity, or homes. To realize blessings in their sustenance, individuals should engage in certain actions. Here are a few key points:
- Achieving piety towards Allah, as piety is defined as establishing a protection between oneself and divine punishment. This is manifested through the fulfillment of acts of worship while avoiding forbidden actions. The Quran states: (And if the people of those cities had believed and been conscious of Allah, We would have opened to them blessings from the heavens and the earth). Hence, the Almighty has punished nations that denied the messages of the prophets due to their disbelief.
- Reciting and contemplating the Holy Qur’an. The Qur’an will intercede for its reciter and guardian on the Day of Judgment. It is essential to consistently engage with the Qur’an throughout the year, rather than limiting it to just the month of Ramadan, as is the practice of some.
- Being honest in transactions, including disclosing any defects in the goods being sold. Honesty cultivates blessings and increases one’s provision.
- Ensuring integrity and trust among business partners; honesty and sincerity will bless their trade and enhance their wealth, yielding abundant benefits.
- Avoiding immoral behavior; immorality can either take the form of major sins that expel one from the fold of Islam, such as disbelief, hypocrisy, or illicit acts, or minor sins that, while not leading to apostasy, still need grave recognition and urgent repentance.
- Engaging in work during early hours; laziness and failing to rise early can detract from the blessings of one’s efforts. Hence, Muslims should follow the Sunnah and emulate the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – by undertaking tasks promptly.
- Drawing closer to Allah through sincere supplication, as prayer is one of the highest acts of worship and establishes a direct connection between the servant and their Creator.
- Trusting in Allah while diligently seeking provision instead of idly waiting for opportunities to come.
- Honoring one’s parents and maintaining family ties, as these actions are closely related to Allah’s favor; the one who maintains family bonds will be blessed by Allah, while the one who severs them will face consequences.
Effort and Work in Islam
Work and the pursuit of provision are essential aspects of life, as Allah has facilitated the means and factors to achieve this. Engaging in work is a pathway to earning the reward and blessings from Allah. The concept of work is often mentioned alongside worship in Quranic texts, as illustrated by the verse: (There is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord. And when you have completed the rites of Hajj, remember Allah). Moreover, work and provision are grouped with striving in the way of Allah, as seen in the verse: (And others are traveling through the land seeking the bounty of Allah, while others fight in the cause of Allah). Islam encourages work and navigating paths for sustenance. Whatever type of lawful and permissible work one chooses—regardless of its nature or context—holds great significance and value in the eyes of Allah. It is far superior to lowering oneself by requesting aid from others, which reflects a lack of dignity in both this life and the Hereafter. Umar ibn al-Khattab – may Allah be pleased with him – said: (Earning with humility is better than asking others for what they have, and I find myself taken aback when I learn that someone has no work). Nowadays, we observe an alarming rise in begging and soliciting for assistance in public spaces and near mosques. Islam explicitly forbids begging and warns of its detrimental impact, as it endangers the beggar’s dignity and inflicts harm upon them. It also adversely impacts society by undermining the rights of others. Imam Al-Ghazali stated that this practice is forbidden due to being a form of complaint against Allah and involving dishonor to one’s self before anyone other than Allah, except in cases of dire necessity. Additionally, it brings harm to those responsible for providing assistance.