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
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ نَزِدْ لَهُۥ فِى حَرْثِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ ٱلدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا وَمَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِن نَّصِيبٍ
Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter - We increase for him in his harvest [i.e., reward]. And whoever desires the harvest [i.e., benefits] of this world - We give him thereof, but there is not for him in the Hereafter any share.
وَلَمَنِ ٱنتَصَرَ بَعْدَ ظُلْمِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مَا عَلَيْهِم مِّن سَبِيلٍ
And whoever retaliates after having been wronged - those have not upon them any cause [for blame].
فَإِنْ أَعْرَضُوا۟ فَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا ۖ إِنْ عَلَيْكَ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ۗ وَإِنَّآ إِذَآ أَذَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِنَّا رَحْمَةً فَرِحَ بِهَا ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ فَإِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ كَفُورٌ
But if they turn away - then We have not sent you, [O Muḥammad], over them as a guardian; upon you is only [the duty of] notification. And indeed, when We let man taste mercy from Us, he rejoices in it; but if evil afflicts him for what his hands have put forth, then indeed, man is ungrateful.
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.