Excerpts from the Holy Qur’an, an Eternal Guidance to Mankind
Sustenance
Sustenance for every created thing is provided only by Allah (swt)
Surah Al – Hijr, 15:19-23
وَالأَرْضَ مَدَدْنَاهَا وَأَلْقَيْنَا فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ وَأَنبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَّوْزُونٍ
Wal-’arza madad-naahaa wa ’al-qay-naa fiihaa rawaasiya wa ’ambat-naa fiihaa min kul-li shay-’im-maw-zuun.
19. And the earth - We have spread it out wide, and placed on it mountains firm, and caused (life) of every kind to grow on it in a balanced manner,
وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَعَايِشَ وَمَن لَّسْتُمْ لَهُ بِرَازِقِينَ
Wa ja-‘alnaa lakum fiihaa ma-‘aa-yisha wa mal-las-tum lahuu bi-raa-ziqiin.
20. and provided thereon means of livelihood for you (O men) as well as for all (living beings), whose sustenance does not depend on you.
وَإِن مِّن شَيْءٍ إِلاَّ عِندَنَا خَزَائِنُهُ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهُ إِلاَّ بِقَدَرٍ مَّعْلُومٍ
Wa ’im-min-shay-’in ’il-laa ‘indanaa khazaaa-’inuh; wamaa nunaz-zi-luhuuu ’il-laa bi-qadarim-ma‘luum.
21. For, no single thing exists that does not have its source with Us ; and nought do we bestow from on high unless it be in accordance with a measure well-defined.
وَأَرْسَلْنَا الرِّيَاحَ لَوَاقِحَ فَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَاء مَاء فَأَسْقَيْنَاكُمُوهُ وَمَا أَنتُمْ لَهُ بِخَازِنِينَ
Wa ’arsalnar-riyaaha la-waa-qiha fa-’anzalnaa minas-samaaa-’i maaa-’an fa-’as-qay-naa-kumuuh: wa maaa ’antum lahuu bi-khaa-ziniin.
22. And We let loose the winds to fertilize (plants), and we send down water from the skies and let you drink thereof: and it is not you who dispose of its source -
وَإنَّا لَنَحْنُ نُحْيِي وَنُمِيتُ وَنَحْنُ الْوَارِثُونَ
Wa ’in-naa lanahnu nuh-yii wa numiitu wa nahnul-waarithuun.
23. for, behold, it is We - We alone - Who grant life and deal death, and it is We alone who shall remain after all else will have passed away!
Surah Ar - Ra’d, 13:26
اللّهُ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَشَاء وَيَقَدِرُ وَفَرِحُواْ بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا فِي الآخِرَةِ إِلاَّ مَتَاعٌ
’Al-laahu yabsutur-Rizqa limay-yashaa-u’ wa yaq-dir. Wa farihuu bil-ha-yaatid-dunyaa. Wa mal-hayaatud-dunyaa fil-’Aakhi-rati ’il-laa mataa‘-
26. God grants abundant sustenance, or gives it in scant measure, unto whomever He wills; and they (who are given abundance) rejoice in the life of this world - even though, as compared with the life to come, the life of this world is naught but a fleeting pleasure.
In Hadith al Qudsi, Allah (swt) says:
“Oh! Son of Adam! If Almighty Allah has taken the responsibility of providing your sustenance then why are your efforts directed exclusively towards it?
And if all fortunes and misfortunes are from Me, then why are you impatient.
So, you should not be disappointed when you love something and should be so happy when you gain something from this world.”
Surah Az – Zumar, 39:52
أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاء وَيَقْدِرُ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
’Awalam ya-lamuuu ’an-nal-laaha yabsutur - rizqa liman-yashaaa- ‘u wa yaqdir? ’In-na fii zaalika la-’Aayaatil-liqaw-min-yu’-minuun ?
52. Are they, then, not aware that it is God who grants abundant sustenance, or gives it in scant measure, unto whomever He wills?
The provision of sustenance to His creation is a matter which is in the hands of God Himself. He provides everything with its sustenance. With sustenance in the hands of God, the existence of everything would naturally depend upon Him. There is no need for any creature to fear or implore anyone else save God. Any act of worshipping anyone beside Him would not only be foolishness but an unpardonable act of ingratitude and thanklessness.