ٱللَّهُ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقْدِرُ لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ 62
Translations
Allāh extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts for him. Indeed Allāh is, of all things, Knowing.
Transliteration
Allahu yabsutu ar-rizqa liman yasha'u min ibadih wa yaqdir lahu. Inna Allaha bikulli shay'in alim.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's absolute control over provision (rizq), stating that He expands sustenance for whom He wills among His servants and restricts it for others according to His divine wisdom. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this encompasses not only material wealth but all forms of sustenance, and that Allah's distribution is based on His infinite knowledge and perfect wisdom, not human merit alone. The ayah serves as a reminder that while humans must strive and seek provision, ultimate provision comes from Allah's decree.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-'Ankabut is a Meccan surah revealed during the period of persecution, addressing believers facing trials and hardships. This ayah appears in a section discussing Allah's signs and attributes, providing reassurance to the early Muslim community that despite their struggles, Allah sustains those who believe in Him and that their circumstances are part of His divine plan.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Provision comes from Allah, and none can give provision except Allah' (reported in various forms in Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Also relevant is the hadith: 'Each soul will taste death, and We test you with evil and with good as trial' (Quran 21:35), emphasizing that Allah's distribution of provision includes tests.
Themes
Key Lesson
While believers should strive honestly to earn their livelihood, ultimate reliance must be on Allah's provision, knowing that He distributes sustenance according to His infinite wisdom and knowledge. This teaches humility in success and patience in scarcity, recognizing that both expansion and restriction of provision serve divine purposes in our spiritual development.