أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ 52
Translations
Do they not know that Allāh extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]? Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.
Transliteration
Awalam ya'lamū anna Allāha yabsutū ar-rizqa liman yashāu wa yaqdiru. Inna fī dhālika la-āyātin liqawmin yu'minūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that Allah alone controls the expansion and restriction of sustenance (rizq) according to His divine wisdom, not according to human desires or expectations. Ibn Kathir explains that this is a refutation of those who associate partners with Allah in provision, while Al-Tabari notes that the variation in sustenance is a sign (āyah) for believers to recognize Allah's complete sovereignty and to trust in His perfect knowledge and justice.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Az-Zumar, which addresses the polytheists of Mecca who attributed their wealth and poverty to idols and partners with Allah. The broader context emphasizes monotheism and Allah's exclusive divine attributes, challenging the false beliefs of the Meccan society regarding the sources of their provision.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Provision is apportioned by Allah to His creatures as measured' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith 'The best of you are those with the best character, and the richest of you are not those with the most wealth, but those with the richest hearts' (Tirmidhi) relates to the proper perspective on sustenance.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that material circumstances—wealth or poverty—are determined by Allah's wisdom and are not indicators of worth or favor, and should cultivate trust in Allah's provision while striving righteously. Understanding this principle liberates one from anxiety about provision and from the arrogance that sometimes accompanies wealth.