Ar-Razzaaq

﷽

The seventeenth name we will be discussing and learning about is ‘Ar-Razzaaq’ – The Provider, The Providence, The Supplier, The Bestower of Sustenance.

Ar-Razzaaq is the One who creates all means of nourishment and subsistence; the One who is the giver of all things beneficial, both physical and spiritual. The One who provides everything that is needed; the One who causes the means of subsistence to come. The One who bestows all means of support and growth, for the body, the mind and the spiritual life.

Allah calls Himself Ar-Razzaaq on one occasion in the Quran. The word ‘Razzaaq’ comes from the root ‘raa-zaa-qaa’ and points to two main meanings.

The first main meaning is to receive something beneficial or to receive a portion or share
The second main meaning is to be provided or supplied with the necessities of life

So, how can we live by this name?

1) Be content
Be satisfied with all the rizq you are given. Umar ibn al-Khattaab radiyallahu ‘anhu said: ‘If something is meant to go elsewhere, it will never come on your way, but if it is yours by destiny, from you it cannot flee.’ Be careful not to complain against Ar-Razzaaq; strive for ridaa (contentment with His Decree) instead, whilst yes use what He has given you to work towards bettering yourself and what you have, be careful not to come under complaining about your body, wealth or anything else Allah has provided you with.

2) Work hard
Provision has to do with honesty and uprightness. What you see of wealth given to some and poverty to others is only superficial. Rizq is not limited to the dunya and it is not only materialistic, it is just as much spiritual. You need to work as if your rizq depends on how hard you try, but in your heart you know that nothing will come to you except what He has written for you. Knowing that rizq is guaranteed is not an excuse to be lazy. Ar-Razzaaq recompenses you according to your intentions. Allah has given us so many tools that we need to make the most of and use.

3) Understand the ways of Ar-Razzaaq
Some people do good deeds and practise the religion, yet they don’t feel much spiritual comfort. This motivates them to hasten to do more righteous work, which helps them to go to the higher and better spiritual state that Allah, Ar-Razzaaq wants them to reach. So you might feel deprived of spiritual rizq (like tranquility in the heart), but this is a way Allah ﷻ‬ causes you to be motivated to do more and therefore be elevated even more. We are all different in the way in which we react to and process things and Allah, Ar-Razzaaq knows this and will shape the situations around us according to what is best for each and every one of us. We will all be tested and blessed in different ways, for some that may be their materialistic rizq and for others their spiritual connection to Allah.

4) Trust in Ar-Razzaaq
Never commit bad deeds in the name of seeking provision, and trust that all provisions will come from Allah ‎ﷻ‬. A beautiful example are the birds; they do not know if they’ll find enough to eat and feed their families everyday. Then Ar-Razzaaq sends them insects to feed on and sends them provision, He takes care of every leaf, every ant and every part of creation. Just as He provided for you when you were in the womb, He will provide for you after you are born until the day you die. He is always there and always plans in your favour so place your full faith in Him and know He will make a way.

5) Reflect upon what Ar-Razzaaq has given you
Ar-Razzaaq placed us on fertile lands with countless blessings; even without care the green crops grow, flowers blossom, fruits and vegetables come out of the soil, and the blue oceans are bursting with fish. Ar-Razzaaq places the meat of most animals and birds at our service and gives them pure milk and honey. Contemplate your environment and grow your love for Ar-Razzaaq and your will to please Him. He has provided and given to us so much, we should be actively grateful towards Him and never take them for granted. He has given us all the tools we need to obtain what’s best for us.

7) Use your rizq in the right way
Be trustworthy with Allah’s provisions; don’t seek haram means; this also prevents your supplications from being answered. One of the things that prevent your rizq from reaching you is your sin. What we see of peoples rizq is what they and Allah choose to show us but it is more important for us to look at our own states than at the affairs of others. Look within and see how you are earning your wealth, what your spiritual state is, look and see if you are committing any sins, if you need to make changes to make things halal and healthy for you then do so with full trust that Allah will provide for you.

8) Learn how to increase your rizq
In the Quran and Sunnah ways are mentioned for you to increase your rizq; look out for them. Examples are striving for taqwa, praying with khushoo’, having tawakkul (reliance on Allah), upholding the ties of kinship, being thankful, asking for forgiveness and repenting, giving charity, and reading the Quran. Narrated ‘Ali bin Abi Talib: when Fatima radiyallahu ‘anha came to the Prophet ﷺ asking for a servant. He said, ‘May I inform you of something better than that? When you go to bed, recite ‘SubhanAllah’ thirty three times, ‘Alhamdulillah’ thirty three times, and ‘Allahu Akbar’ thirty four times.’ [Al-Bukhari] so implement this into your life and benefit from this advice.

Call upon Allah, Ar-Razzaaq, knowing that He is the one and only Provider. Ask Him to make us of those who are content with His provisions, guide us to work hard and use His provisions wisely, and make us ponder them. Ask Him to lead us to deeds that increase His rizq and enter us into His gardens by His rahmah so we can enjoin the best of His provisions. May Allah shower His peace upon you all, answer your prayers and may He guide our every step. May He protect us and our loved ones and allow us to enter His kingdom of Jannah with them. May He purify our intentions and increase us in imaan. Ameen.

JazakAllah khayr for taking the time to read this, I pray it has benefitted you – please share this with anyone who you think may benefit as well and thank you all for reading this far. May Allah bless you all immensely and please keep the people of Palestine in your duas.

References: information in this post was collated from understandquran.com and the beautiful names of Allah series on wahiduddin.net.