a person is commanded to take the means, while not believing that the means operate independently of Allah’s will.
There are obvious material means of provision, such as trade, work, skill, and effort. However, there are also religious and spiritual means that many people may overlook.
Allah تعالى says:
“And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for him, and provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah, He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set a measure for everything.” [At-Talaq: 2–3]
He سبحانه وتعالى also says:
“Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer, We will surely grant them a good life, and We will surely reward them according to the best of what they used to do.” [An-Nahl: 97]
Maintaining ties of kinship is also among the causes. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his lifespan to be extended, let him maintain his ties of kinship.”
Narrated by al-Bukhari (5986) and Muslim (2557).
Allah تعالى also says:
“Say: Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts it for him. And whatever you spend of anything, He will replace it. He is the best of providers.” [Saba: 39]
Because the outcome is not independently under a person’s control; rather, it is in the Hand of Allah Almighty.
Allah تعالى says:
“Whoever desires the immediate life, We hasten for him therein whatever We will, for whomever We intend.” [Al-Isra: 18]
The verse does not say that everyone who desires worldly life and strives for it will obtain whatever he wants. Rather, it connects this to Allah’s will:
“Whatever We will, for whomever We intend.”
A person may strive for a long time and obtain only part of what he wanted. Another may strive and Allah may grant him more than he expected. Provision may also come through a means he had never anticipated.
This does not mean that a Muslim should abandon work and simply sit waiting for provision. Rather, he must take lawful means, strive to seek halal provision, and seek Allah’s help, while believing that the means do not independently determine the results.
Allah تعالى says:
“And my success is only through Allah.” [Hud: 88]
Thus, the Muslim combines effort and reliance upon Allah, combining work with the belief that Allah is the Provider.
Provision is decreed and written by Allah Almighty, and He has apportioned it with wisdom and knowledge. We have no evidence proving that Allah made a wealthy person wealthy because He knew that this person would take the means of becoming wealthy, while making a poor person poor because He knew that he would abandon those means.
Likewise, it is not correct to say that everyone who takes the means of becoming wealthy or possesses a “wealthy mindset” must necessarily become rich. The means do not independently determine the results. Allah provides through means and without them, and He gives and withholds according to His wisdom.
A Muslim should therefore take the material means of seeking provision, strive in his work, seek halal, ask Allah for help, be mindful of Him, maintain ties of kinship, and spend from what Allah has provided him, while being certain that Allah alone is the Provider, and that whatever He decrees for His servant occurs according to His knowledge, wisdom, and will.
And Allah knows best.