Surah Al-Hijr — Verse 20

Word Meanings:

• Ma‘āyish (مَعَايِش): Means of livelihood, sustenance, and all that is needed for life—food, drink, clothing, and other provisions.
• Man lastum lahu bi-rāziqīn (وَمَن لَّسْتُمْ لَهُ بِرَازِقِينَ): "And those for whom you are not the providers"—referring to beings whose sustenance is not your responsibility or within your power to provide.

Tafsir (Explanation):

In this verse, Allah reminds humanity of His boundless mercy and generosity. He says: "And We have made for you therein [the earth] means of living, and [for] those for whom you are not the providers."

This means that Allah, in His infinite wisdom and grace, has placed upon the earth everything you need to sustain your life—food from the earth’s produce, water to drink, livestock to rear, and countless other blessings that support your existence. He has spread these provisions for you so that you may eat, drink, clothe yourselves, and build your lives upon them.

But then comes the deeper, more profound part of the verse: "and for those for whom you are not the providers." Allah is telling us that He also provides for countless other creatures—your children, your servants, the animals that serve you, and even the smallest of His creation—without you having to worry about their sustenance. You do not feed them by your own power; rather, Allah Himself is their Provider. He sustains them through means you may not even perceive. When a newborn baby is born, it is Allah who feeds it through its mother’s milk. When a bird leaves its nest, it is Allah who guides it to its food. When an animal serves you, it is Allah who has already prepared its provision.

This verse carries a powerful lesson: do not ever think that you are the true provider for anyone—not for your family, not for your employees, not for your livestock. You are merely a means, a vessel through which Allah’s provision flows. The real Provider is Allah alone, the Lord of all worlds. This understanding frees the heart from anxiety and arrogance. It teaches you to rely on Allah, to trust Him with your sustenance and the sustenance of those under your care, and to be humble in your giving, knowing that you are only passing on what Allah has already granted.

A Call to Reflection and Faith:

Dear reader, look around you and see how Allah has made the earth a cradle of provision for you. Every fruit that ripens, every grain that grows, every drop of rain that falls—all of it is a sign of His love for you. And yet, He does not stop there. He also takes care of all those who depend on you, so that your heart may be at ease. He is telling you: "Do not worry, I am the Provider. I have already written the sustenance of every soul."

So, turn to your Lord with gratitude and trust. When you feed your child, know that it is Allah who feeds them through your hands. When you earn your livelihood, know that it is Allah who has decreed it for you. And when you see the vastness of His provision, let your heart fill with love for Him, and let your tongue utter: "Alhamdulillah—all praise is due to Allah, the Provider of all." This is the path of true faith: to recognize Allah’s hand in everything, to rely on Him alone, and to live a life of gratitude, humility, and peace.