Rizq in the Quran: 123 Mentions, Deep Meanings & Classical Scholars' Works
•By Muslim Economist
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The word "rizq" is not merely about money entering your bank account or a monthly salary. In the Quran, Allah mentions the word rizq and its derivatives a total of 123 times - 61 times in verb form (fi'il) and 62 times in noun form (ism). This frequency shows how central the concept of rizq is in the Islamic worldview.
This article compiles the key Quranic verses that mention rizq, explores their meanings and interpretations, and lists the classical scholarly works that discuss this topic in depth. This is the first part of our rizq article series - the next part will cover authentic hadiths about rizq.
The word rizq comes from the Arabic root ra-za-qa (ر-ز-ق). According to the dictionary Lisan al-Arab by Ibn Manzur, linguistically it means "a continuous giving" or "something made easy to obtain."
In the Quran, this word appears in various derivative forms according to the analysis in Mu'jam Mufahras Li Alfaz al-Quran:
From an Islamic terminological perspective, rizq encompasses everything that Allah gives to His creation - not just money and wealth, but also:
Imam al-Raghib al-Asfahani in his work Mufradat Alfaz al-Quran defines rizq as "a gift from Allah that can be benefited from, whether worldly or pertaining to the hereafter."
The most fundamental principle in the Quran about rizq is that it comes solely from Allah. Not from an employer, not from business, not from the stock market - these are all merely means (asbab).
Surah Hud (11:6)
وَمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا
"And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision."
This verse provides a direct guarantee from Allah - every living creature, its provision is already guaranteed. This is not a guarantee of luxury, but a guarantee of sufficiency. According to the tafsir of the Federal Territory Mufti's Office, this guarantee requires effort (ikhtiar) on the part of the servant, not merely waiting.
Surah adh-Dhariyat (51:58)
إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ
"Indeed, it is Allah who is the continual Provider, the firm possessor of strength."
In this verse, Allah uses His Name ar-Razzaq - an intensive form (sighah mubalaghah) meaning "The One Who Provides abundantly and continuously." This Name indicates that Allah's provision never ceases and never diminishes.
Surah al-Ankabut (29:60)
وَكَأَيِّن مِّن دَابَّةٍ لَّا تَحْمِلُ رِزْقَهَا اللَّهُ يَرْزُقُهَا وَإِيَّاكُمْ
"And how many a creature carries not its own provision. Allah provides for it and for you."
This verse draws our attention to birds, fish, and other animals that have no "job" yet are fed. If Allah takes care of them, how could He neglect the human being who strives?
One of the greatest wisdoms in the Quran about rizq is that it is not an indicator of Allah's love or anger. The wealthy are not necessarily beloved, nor the poor necessarily punished.
Surah al-Isra' (17:30)
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ
"Indeed, your Lord extends provision for whom He wills and restricts it."
Surah Saba' (34:36)
قُلْ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
"Say: Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills and restricts it. But most of the people do not know." This verse is reported by the Kelantan e-Dakwah Portal as among the most frequently referenced verses regarding the test of provision.
Surah al-Baqarah (2:212)
وَاللَّهُ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
"And Allah provides for whom He wills without account."
The phrase "without account" (bi ghayri hisab) indicates that Allah's provision is limitless and does not follow human logic. Some people receive provision beyond all expectation - and there is wisdom behind every distribution.
Surah al-Fajr (89:15-16)
فَأَمَّا الْإِنسَانُ إِذَا مَا ابْتَلَاهُ رَبُّهُ فَأَكْرَمَهُ وَنَعَّمَهُ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّي أَكْرَمَنِ وَأَمَّا إِذَا مَا ابْتَلَاهُ فَقَدَرَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقَهُ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّي أَهَانَنِ
"As for man, when his Lord tries him and is generous to him and favors him, he says, 'My Lord has honored me.' But when He tries him and restricts his provision, he says, 'My Lord has humiliated me.'"
Allah corrects this misconception - both are TESTS, not signs of honor or humiliation.
The Quran does not only explain the source of rizq but also mentions the causes that open its doors.
Taqwa - Surah at-Talaq (65:2-3)
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ
"And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect."
This is among the most famous verses about rizq. Taqwa (God-consciousness and obedience to Allah) is mentioned as the PRIMARY cause of unexpected provision. According to Ibn Kathir's tafsir, "from where he does not expect" means through ways and sources that did not even cross the human mind.
Istighfar - Surah Nuh (71:10-12)
فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ
"And said, 'Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send rain to you in abundance. And give you increase in wealth and children.'"
Prophet Nuh taught his people that seeking forgiveness (istighfar) not only erases sins but also opens the doors of provision. Three forms of rizq are mentioned: rain (source of agriculture/life), wealth, and offspring.
Gratitude (Shukr) - Surah Ibrahim (14:7)
لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ
"If you are grateful, I will surely increase you in favor."
A firm promise from Allah - gratitude = more provision. Conversely, ingratitude brings His displeasure. This verse uses the emphatic "lam" and the heavy "nun" of emphasis (nun taukid thaqilah), indicating a CERTAIN promise from Allah.
Charity/Infaq - Surah al-Baqarah (2:261)
مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّائَةُ حَبَّةٍ
"The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains."
A 700-fold return - this is not merely a metaphor, but Allah's promise to those who give in charity. Our previous article about What is Infaq? covers this topic in greater detail.
Tawakkul - Surah at-Talaq (65:3)
وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ
"And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him."
Tawakkul does not mean sitting idle without effort. It means striving fully while entrusting the results to Allah. The Prophet (SAW) himself taught that if humans truly place their trust in Allah, He would provide for them as He provides for birds - they leave hungry and return satisfied.
The Quran does not only guarantee rizq but also sets conditions - it must be halal and good.
Surah al-Baqarah (2:168)
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا
"O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth that is lawful and good."
Two conditions: halal (permissible by Islamic law) AND tayyib (good in quality and nature). Something can be halal but not tayyib (example: halal food containing harmful substances) - and vice versa.
Surah al-Mu'minun (23:51)
يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا
"O messengers, eat from the good foods and work righteousness."
Allah directed the Prophets - the most noble of humans - to eat from what is good. This shows that the source of provision affects the quality of worship. According to the Federal Territory Mufti's Office, good provision comes from one's own lawful labor.
Surah an-Nahl (16:114)
فَكُلُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَاشْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ
"Then eat of what Allah has provided for you, which is lawful and good. And be grateful for the favor of Allah."
This verse combines three elements: provision, its lawfulness, and the obligation to be grateful.
Surah al-Baqarah (2:245)
مَّن ذَا الَّذِي يُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَاعِفَهُ لَهُ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَةً
"Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over?"
Surah Saba' (34:39)
وَمَا أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُ
"And whatever thing you spend in His cause - He will compensate it."
A direct promise of replacement from Allah - every cent spent in His way will be replaced. This is the basis for the concept of zakat, charity (sadaqah), and infaq in Islam.
The concept of rizq in the Quran is not limited to this world. Indeed, the provision of the hereafter is far more valuable and eternal.
Surah al-Baqarah (2:154)
وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَن يُقْتَلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتٌ بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَشْعُرُونَ
"And do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allah, 'They are dead.' Rather, they are alive, but you perceive it not."
Surah Ali 'Imran (3:169)
وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتًا بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ
"And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision."
The word "yurzaqun" (they are provided for) here indicates that rizq continues even after death - specifically for the martyrs (shuhada).
Islam does not teach a passive concept of provision. The Quran pairs the guarantee of rizq with the requirement of striving.
Surah al-Mulk (67:15)
هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ ذَلُولًا فَامْشُوا فِي مَنَاكِبِهَا وَكُلُوا مِن رِّزْقِهِ
"It is He who made the earth tame for you - so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision."
Note the command "walk" (famshu) before "eat" (kulu). There is effort before there is result. The earth has been made easy - you need to move to obtain provision.
Surah al-Jumu'ah (62:10)
فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ
"And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah."
After Friday prayer - do not sit idle. Disperse and seek Allah's provision. This shows that Islam encourages balance between worship and worldly striving.
Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (450-505H/1058-1111 CE), known as Hujjatul Islam (Proof of Islam), divided rizq into four types in his book Minhajul Abidin (The Path of the Worshippers):
The basic provision that Allah guarantees for every creature - such as food that strengthens the body, air to breathe, and water for life. This provision does not depend on worldly effort because it is continuously provided as long as life exists.
Provision whose distribution has been determined in the decree (qada' and qadar) of every individual. Some are destined to be wealthy, some moderate - and every apportionment has its wisdom. Included in this category are one's home, spouse, and offspring.
Provision in the form of wealth that we possess but do not necessarily fully benefit from. Examples: savings not spent, land left uncultivated, or wealth locked in investments. We own it but its benefit has not necessarily reached us.
Provision that Allah has promised as a reward for certain deeds - such as the promise of multiplied provision for those who give charity, provision from unexpected sources for those who have taqwa, and increased provision for those who are grateful.
Discussion of rizq is not a new topic. Classical scholars have written deeply about it for centuries. Here are the key works that explore the concept of rizq:
Miftah Dar as-Sa'adah (مفتاح دار السعادة) - "The Key to the Abode of Happiness"
In this work, Ibn Qayyim discusses the relationship between provision, divine decree, and human effort. He emphasizes that provision is predetermined, yet striving is the means (sabab) required by Islamic law.
Zad al-Ma'ad (زاد المعاد) - "Provisions for the Hereafter"
Discusses the manners of the Prophet (SAW) in seeking provision, supplicating for rizq, and being grateful for Allah's gifts.
al-Fawa'id (الفوائد) - "Beneficial Points"
Contains discussions on tawakkul and its relationship to seeking provision, and how a pure heart facilitates the doors of rizq.
Ihya' Ulum ad-Din (إحياء علوم الدين) - "The Revival of the Religious Sciences"
Particularly in Kitab at-Tawakkul (Book of Trust in Allah) and Kitab asy-Syukr (Book of Gratitude), al-Ghazali discusses in detail the concept of rizq, the causes of its opening and closing, and the proper etiquette in dealing with provision.
Minhajul Abidin (منهاج العابدين) - "The Path of the Worshippers"
Contains the division of the four types of rizq mentioned above.
Kimiya' as-Sa'adah (كيمياء السعادة) - "The Alchemy of Happiness"
Discusses the relationship between true happiness and good provision - not merely worldly wealth, but the richness of the heart.
Jami' al-'Ulum wa al-Hikam (جامع العلوم والحكم) - "A Collection of Knowledge and Wisdom"
In his commentary on the 19th hadith (the hadith about guarding Allah's commandments), Ibn Rajab extensively discusses how taqwa opens the doors of provision and how tawakkul guarantees sufficiency.
Lata'if al-Ma'arif (لطائف المعارف) - "The Subtleties of Knowledge"
Discusses the blessing of time and how acts of worship at certain times open the doors of provision.
al-'Ubudiyyah (العبودية) - "Servitude to Allah"
Discusses the relationship between true servitude to Allah and the guarantee of provision and sufficiency.
Majmu' al-Fatawa (مجموع الفتاوى) - "A Collection of Fatwas"
Contains various fatwas and discussions on rulings related to provision, including wealth management, tawakkul, and supplications for rizq.
al-Jami' li Ahkam al-Quran (الجامع لأحكام القرآن) - "The Comprehensive Collection of Quranic Rulings"
Al-Qurtubi's tafsir contains detailed discussions on every verse about rizq in the Quran, including the related fiqh rulings.
Jami' al-Bayan fi Ta'wil al-Quran (جامع البيان في تأويل القرآن) - "Comprehensive Explanation in Quranic Interpretation"
As the oldest complete tafsir, at-Tabari explores the meaning of the word rizq in every Quranic context by referencing the opinions of the companions and successors (tabi'in).
From all the verses and explanations above, here is a summary of lessons we can implement:
Anxiety about provision is not a trait of the truly faithful. Allah has already guaranteed it - our task is to strive and put our trust in Him. If a bird with no savings is fed, how then could the striving human being be neglected?
These three practices are repeatedly mentioned in the Quran as CAUSES for the opening of provision. They are not merely spiritual practices - they have a direct effect on rizq according to Allah's promise.
Not merely halal in terms of Islamic law, but good in terms of quality and the manner of obtaining it. The source of income affects the quality of life and worship. This is highly relevant for Muslim investors in Malaysia - ensure your investments are Shariah-compliant.
Charity (sadaqah), infaq, and zakat do not reduce wealth - they multiply it. The Quran promises a 700-fold return and direct replacement from Allah.
Do not measure provision by your bank statement alone. Health, a happy family, beneficial knowledge, a peaceful heart - all of these are priceless forms of rizq.
This article is the first part in our series on rizq. Here is the series plan:
1. Rizq in the Quran (this article) - Quranic verses, tafsir, and classical scholarly works
2. Rizq in Authentic Hadiths (coming soon) - authentic hadiths about rizq from Bukhari, Muslim, and other major hadith collections
3. Supplications for Rizq from the Quran and Sunnah (coming soon) - a collection of duas taught by the Prophet (SAW) for seeking provision
4. Rizq and Investment: A Maqasid Shariah Perspective (coming soon) - how the concept of rizq relates to modern investment
If you are interested in any of the above topics, share your thoughts with us.
The word rizq and all its derivative forms are mentioned 123 times in the Quran - 61 times in verb form and 62 times in noun form.
Among the most frequently referenced is Surah at-Talaq (65:2-3) - "Whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out, and will provide for him from where he does not expect."
No. In the Quran, rizq encompasses everything that Allah gives, including health, knowledge, offspring, a spouse, peace of mind, guidance, and even the air we breathe.
Three main causes repeatedly mentioned: taqwa (God-consciousness and obedience to Allah), istighfar (seeking forgiveness), and gratitude (shukr for blessings). In addition, charity (sadaqah), maintaining ties of kinship (silaturrahim), and tawakkul are also mentioned as openers of provision.
Not necessarily. Surah al-Fajr (89:15-16) clarifies that both wealth and poverty are tests. The wealthy are tested with gratitude and responsibility, while those with less are tested with patience and trust in Allah.
Among the most comprehensive are Ihya' Ulum ad-Din by Imam al-Ghazali (particularly the sections on Tawakkul and Gratitude), Miftah Dar as-Sa'adah by Ibn Qayyim, and Jami' al-'Ulum wa al-Hikam by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali.
Yes, asking Allah for halal and good provision is an encouraged supplication. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) himself prayed: "My Lord, make this a secure city and provide its people with fruits" (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:126).
According to Islamic creed (aqidah), every person's provision is determined before birth. However, this does not mean we can be idle - striving is the means (sabab) that is required, and supplication can change destiny by Allah's permission.
The Quran mentions the word rizq and its derivatives 123 times - each carrying a different meaning, context, and lesson. From Allah's guarantee that every creature will be provided for, to the causes of rizq being opened through taqwa, istighfar, and gratitude - all of it demonstrates that the concept of rizq in Islam is far wider and deeper than mere financial matters.
Classical scholars such as Imam al-Ghazali, Ibn Qayyim, and Ibn Rajab have explored this topic profoundly in their works, and their teachings remain relevant to this day.
Understanding the true concept of rizq helps us make wiser financial decisions aligned with Islamic principles.
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