Surah Adh-Dhariyat — Verse 57

Word Meanings:

• رِزْقٍ (Rizq): Provision, sustenance, or wealth that one provides for others.
• أَن يُطْعِمُونِ (An yut'imooni): That they should feed Me or provide Me with food.

Tafsir (Explanation):

In this noble verse, Allah, the Exalted, declares His absolute independence from all His creation. He says: "I do not seek from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me." This means that Allah does not ask His servants to provide for Him, nor does He require their sustenance, for He is the All-Provider, the Sustainer of all that exists. He is the One who creates, nourishes, and gives life to every creature, while He Himself is free of all needs and wants.

This verse comes as a profound reminder that the purpose of creation is not to benefit Allah in any way, for He is utterly self-sufficient. Rather, it is the servants who are in desperate need of Him—in every breath they take, in every morsel they eat, and in every moment of their existence. They are the poor ones, and He is the Rich, the Praiseworthy. The act of worship and obedience that Allah requires from His servants is not for His benefit, but for their own spiritual growth, purification, and ultimate success in this life and the Hereafter.

A Call to Reflection and Devotion:

Dear reader, reflect on the immense mercy and generosity of your Lord. He created you, sustains you, and provides for you from the moment you were born until the end of your life—yet He asks nothing from you in return except that you know Him, love Him, and worship Him alone. This is not because He needs your worship, but because you need the peace, guidance, and purpose that come from connecting with your Creator. When you realize that Allah is completely independent of you, yet He still cares for you and invites you to His obedience, your heart fills with gratitude and humility. So turn to Him with sincerity, for He is the One who gives without needing anything back, and His doors of mercy are always open to those who seek Him.