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
وَمَا ٱخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيهِ مِن شَىْءٍ فَحُكْمُهُۥٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبِّى عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ
And in anything over which you disagree - its ruling is [to be referred] to Allāh. [Say], "That is Allāh, my Lord; upon Him I have relied, and to Him I turn back."
۞ وَلَوْ بَسَطَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِعِبَادِهِۦ لَبَغَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَـٰكِن يُنَزِّلُ بِقَدَرٍ مَّا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرٌۢ بَصِيرٌ
And if Allāh had extended [excessively] provision for His servants, they would have committed tyranny throughout the earth. But He sends [it] down in an amount which He wills. Indeed He is, of His servants, Aware and Seeing.
تَرَى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ وَهُوَ وَاقِعٌۢ بِهِمْ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فِى رَوْضَاتِ ٱلْجَنَّاتِ ۖ لَهُم مَّا يَشَآءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَضْلُ ٱلْكَبِيرُ
You will see the wrongdoers fearful of what they have earned, and it will [certainly] befall them. And those who have believed and done righteous deeds will be in lush regions of the gardens [in Paradise] having whatever they will in the presence of their Lord. That is what is the great bounty.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّتُنذِرَ أُمَّ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا وَتُنذِرَ يَوْمَ ٱلْجَمْعِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ فَرِيقٌ فِى ٱلْجَنَّةِ وَفَرِيقٌ فِى ٱلسَّعِيرِ
And thus We have revealed to you an Arabic Qur’ān that you may warn the Mother of Cities [i.e., Makkah] and those around it and warn of the Day of Assembly, about which there is no doubt. A party will be in Paradise and a party in the Blaze.