PRESCRIPTIONS FOR BARAKAH IN RIZQ [SUSTENANCE]
Ml. Ashraf Ali Thanwi [ra]

Rizq (sustenance) does not depend on a cause

The attaining of rizq is not dependant on one's brilliance or intelligence, otherwise the intelligent should have been more wealthier than those who have less intelligence. Whereas one finds the intelligent to be in a very distressed condition. The attaining of rizq due to a person's ability is the belief of Qarun. - Islaahul Muslimeen, Page 555.

The attaining of immense wealth does not depend on owning many different possesions. Observations reveal that a person becomes very wealthy and rich by owning only a single business. Another person although owning many businesses is always in debt and trouble. It has also come to notice that many an intelligent one is afflicted by poverty. Many ignorant and foolish people are found to be wealthy. A poet has said:

Translation: Many such intelligent people have been witnessed, whom troubles of rizq have made tired. And many ignorant have been witnessed who own immense wealth. This has confounded the superstitions (fears) of the people. This astonishing fact has adversely confounded and made many a knowledgable person a zindiq (infidel). - Ma'rifat Ilaahiyyah, Page 97.

Shaikh Saadi says:

Translation: If rizq (sustenance) was dependant on intelligence, the stupid would die of hunger. But observations are this, that sometimes, nay moreso, the ignorant attain so much wealth that it astounds the intelligent. The pious are contented with this distribution. They say:

Translation: "We are contented with this distribution of the Jabbar (omnipotent), that for us there is knowledge and for the ignorant wealth. Wealth will soon diminish and knowledge remains and never vanishes. - Huquq wa Faraaidh, Page 749.

The Wisdom of Poverty and Prosperity

Sayyidina Mahmood bin Labid Radhiyallahu `Anhu reports that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu `Alayhi Wasallam has said: "Two things are such that a person dislikes (whereas there is great benefit in them). One is that death is disliked, whereas death is better than fitnah (calamities); the second is little wealth and poverty is disliked, whereas little wealth ease and lightens the burden of accounting for it in the hereafter." - Musnad Ahmed; Ma'aariful Hadith, Page 91.

Prosperity and Poverty is according to the Will of the Almighty Allah. It is stated in the hadith, that some people are such that if poverty strikes them, they become engulfed in kufr (disbelief). Some are such that if they attain prosperity, they rebel, become disobedient, and fall into kufr. Every person's temperament and nature is different. All types of sick people are found in a clinic or hospital. Some are treated with bitter medicine, if sweetmeats are given instead, it will become septic and poisonous. Hence the illness will become severe. On the other hand, when a patient has nearly recuperated, but still feels weak, fruit etc. are prescribed. Allah Ta'aala knows the true nature and temperament of His creation. He says in the Qur'aan Karim: "Should He not know what He created? And He is the Subtile, the Aware." Suratul Mulk, 14. Ma'rifate Ilaahiyyah, Page 94.

Contemplation on ordained Rizq

Imaam Ghazali narrates the saying of the Ustaadh of his Shaykh in matters of rizq. He said: "The thing from which I acquired contentment is, I said to my nafs that this rizq is only living for humans. What have dead people got to do with the worldly rizq? In the manner that human life is from the treasury and power of Allah Ta'aala, in the same manner rizq is also from His treasury and power. If He wishes He shall grant me. If He does not wish He shall not grant me, because it is stated in the hadith that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi Wasallam has said: "It is inscribed on the backs of fishes and cattle, this is the rizq of such and such person. In this matter of rizq a covetous person does not gain anything without hardship."

Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu `Alayhi wasallam also said, "The chewing of morsels that had been destined for you cannot be chewed by another person. Eat your share of rizq with dignity, and not with disgrace." - Minhaajul `Aabideen, Page 217.