أَمَّنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى يَرْزُقُكُمْ إِنْ أَمْسَكَ رِزْقَهُۥ ۚ بَل لَّجُّوا۟ فِى عُتُوٍّ وَنُفُورٍ 21
Translations
Or who is it that could provide for you if He withheld His provision? But they have persisted in insolence and aversion.
Transliteration
Amman hadha alladhi yarzuqukum inamsaka rizqahu bal lajju fi utuwwin wa nufur
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question challenging the disbelievers: 'Who is this one who will provide for you if He withholds His provision?' It emphasizes Allah's absolute control over sustenance and the futility of relying on anyone besides Him. Despite this clear evidence of Allah's sovereignty, the disbelievers persist in arrogance (utuww) and aversion (nufur) to the truth. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that this ayah highlights the stubbornness of those who reject tawhid despite witnessing the signs of Allah's power in their daily provision.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Mulk, a Meccan chapter that emphasizes Allah's absolute dominion and power. The surah was revealed during the early Meccan period when the polytheists of Mecca were rejecting the message of tawhid despite witnessing clear signs in creation and their own sustenance. The context addresses the spiritual blindness of those who deny Allah's sovereignty even as they depend on Him for their livelihood.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'No one's soul will depart until it has received its ordained provision,' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2344). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized: 'Whoever has reliance on Allah, He will suffice him' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2344), directly relating to the trust required when acknowledging Allah's role as the sole Provider.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that true security and sustenance come only from Allah, and that acknowledging this dependence is an act of wisdom and humility. In our modern lives, recognizing that material wealth and security are ultimately from Allah alone can free us from anxiety, pride, and reliance on false gods of money, status, or other people.