ٱللَّهُ لَطِيفٌۢ بِعِبَادِهِۦ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْقَوِىُّ ٱلْعَزِيزُ 19
Translations
Allāh is Subtle with His servants; He gives provision to whom He wills. And He is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might.
Transliteration
Allahu latifun bi-ibaadihi yarzuqu man yasha'u wa huwa al-qawiyyu al-aziz
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah is subtle and gentle in His dealings with His servants, providing sustenance to whomever He wills. This ayah emphasizes Allah's divine attributes of gentleness (lutf) in His management of creation alongside His absolute power and might (quwwah and izzah). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that Al-Latif (The Subtle One) refers to Allah's ability to accomplish His will in ways imperceptible to creation, while maintaining His complete sovereignty in distributing provision according to His infinite wisdom.
Revelation Context
Surah Ash-Shuraa is a Meccan surah revealed during the early Islamic period. This ayah appears in a section discussing Allah's attributes and His management of creation. The broader context emphasizes the oneness of Allah and His complete control over all affairs, addressing the polytheists of Mecca who attributed provision to false gods and idols.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those with the best character' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). This relates to embodying Allah's gentleness. Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet emphasized seeking provision through lawful means while trusting in Allah's distribution of rizq, reflecting the balance shown in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that Allah's care for His servants is both gentle and comprehensive—He provides in ways we may not perceive while maintaining absolute control. Modern readers should find comfort in Allah's subtle guidance and provision, while striving ethically, trusting that sustenance comes ultimately from the All-Powerful and All-Mighty.
Related Ayahs
لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and He is the Most High, the Most Great.
وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن وَلِىٍّ مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ ۗ وَتَرَى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ لَمَّا رَأَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ يَقُولُونَ هَلْ إِلَىٰ مَرَدٍّ مِّن سَبِيلٍ
And he whom Allāh sends astray - for him there is no protector beyond Him. And you will see the wrongdoers, when they see the punishment, saying, "Is there for return [to the former world] any way?"
ذَٰلِكَ ٱلَّذِى يُبَشِّرُ ٱللَّهُ عِبَادَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ ۗ قُل لَّآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا ٱلْمَوَدَّةَ فِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ ۗ وَمَن يَقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَةً نَّزِدْ لَهُۥ فِيهَا حُسْنًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ
It is that of which Allāh gives good tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say, [O Muḥammad], "I do not ask you for it [i.e., this message] any payment [but] only good will through [i.e., due to] kinship." And whoever commits a good deed - We will increase for him good therein. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Appreciative.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُحَآجُّونَ فِى ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا ٱسْتُجِيبَ لَهُۥ حُجَّتُهُمْ دَاحِضَةٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ
And those who argue concerning Allāh after He has been responded to - their argument is invalid with their Lord, and upon them is [His] wrath, and for them is a severe punishment.