۞ وَلَوْ بَسَطَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِعِبَادِهِۦ لَبَغَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَـٰكِن يُنَزِّلُ بِقَدَرٍ مَّا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرٌۢ بَصِيرٌ 27
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Wa law basata Allahu al-rizqa li-ibaadihi la-bagha-w fee al-ardi wa-lakin yunazzilu bi-qadarin maa yasha-u. Innahu bi-ibaadihi khabeerun baseerun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah teaches that if Allah were to expand provision abundantly for all His servants without measure, they would become arrogant and transgressive on earth, causing corruption and injustice. However, Allah distributes sustenance in wisdom according to what He wills, as He is fully aware of the true condition and circumstances of each servant. Ibn Kathir notes this demonstrates Allah's perfect wisdom in testing His creation through both abundance and scarcity, while Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that moderation in provision is a mercy that preserves moral restraint.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ash-Shuraa (Meccan period) within a passage discussing Allah's attributes and His management of creation. It addresses a universal principle about human nature and divine wisdom rather than responding to a specific historical incident, establishing that controlled provision is part of Allah's broader system of justice and testing.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Richness is not in abundance of wealth, but richness is the richness of the soul' (Sahih Bukhari 6446). Additionally, 'Whoever among you wakes up secure in his family, healthy in his body, and has his daily food, it is as if the whole world has been given to him' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2346), highlighting contentment with measured provision.
Themes
Key Lesson
Allah's measured provision is an act of mercy and wisdom, protecting humanity from the spiritual corruption that often accompanies excessive wealth. We should accept our portion with gratitude and recognize that our circumstances—whether abundant or limited—are perfectly calibrated by the All-Knowing, All-Seeing Creator for our ultimate spiritual benefit.
Related Ayahs
فَضْلًا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَنِعْمَةً ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
[It is] as bounty from Allāh and favor. And Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
These are verses of the wise Book,
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَحْىِۦٓ أَن يَضْرِبَ مَثَلًا مَّا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَيَقُولُونَ مَاذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَـٰذَا مَثَلًا ۘ يُضِلُّ بِهِۦ كَثِيرًا وَيَهْدِى بِهِۦ كَثِيرًا ۚ وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِۦٓ إِلَّا ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ
Indeed, Allāh is not timid to present an example - that of a mosquito or what is smaller than it. And those who have believed know that it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, they say, "What did Allāh intend by this as an example?" He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient,
وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَكَانَ لِزَامًا وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى
And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, it [i.e., punishment] would have been an obligation [due immediately], and [if not for] a specified term [decreed].