أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ 37
Translations
Do they not see that Allāh extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]? Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.
Transliteration
Awalam yaraw anna Allaha yabsutu ar-rizqa liman yasha'u wa yaqdur. Inna fee dhalika la-ayatin liqawmin yu'minun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes Allah's absolute control over sustenance (rizq), expanding it for whom He wills and restricting it for whom He wills. The verse serves as a sign (ayah) of Allah's wisdom and divine providence, comprehensible only to those who possess genuine faith (iman). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that the variation in wealth and provisions among people is itself an evidence of Allah's power and wisdom, testing human character through different circumstances.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ar-Rum, a Meccan surah that addresses the polytheists of Mecca who attributed their prosperity and misfortune to false deities. The broader context of the surah discusses signs of Allah's sovereignty in creation and history. This particular verse responds to the pagan Arabs' assumption that their gods controlled their livelihoods, redirecting them to recognize Allah alone as the Provider.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), which relates to how rizq should be utilized. Additionally, the hadith 'Verily, the best of sustenance is that which is sufficient' emphasizes contentment with Allah's provision.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize that wealth, poverty, and all forms of provision are ultimately from Allah alone, liberating hearts from dependence on false sources and fostering trust in divine wisdom. Understanding this truth cultivates gratitude in abundance and patience in scarcity, strengthening one's relationship with Allah.
Related Ayahs
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ إِذَآ أَنتُم بَشَرٌ تَنتَشِرُونَ
And of His signs is that He created you from dust; then, suddenly you were human beings dispersing [throughout the earth].
أَوَلَمْ يَتَفَكَّرُوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِم ۗ مَّا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِلِقَآئِ رَبِّهِمْ لَكَـٰفِرُونَ
Do they not contemplate within themselves? Allāh has not created the heavens and the earth and what is between them except in truth and for a specified term. And indeed, many of the people, in the meeting with their Lord, are disbelievers.
مَن كَفَرَ فَعَلَيْهِ كُفْرُهُۥ ۖ وَمَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَلِأَنفُسِهِمْ يَمْهَدُونَ
Whoever disbelieves - upon him is [the consequence of] his disbelief. And whoever does righteousness - they are for themselves preparing,
وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمُبْلِسِينَ
Although they were, before it was sent down upon them - before that, in despair.