RIZKI IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE QUR’AN: THE CONCEPT OF “GROWTH SUPPORT” FOR BIOLOGICAL LIFE

In previous studies, two important concepts in the Qur’an have been discussed: berkah (blessing/barakah) and fadhilah (bounty). Berkah relates to the stability and sustainability of the natural systems that support life, such as water, soil, trees, and various other ecological elements. From this system of blessing, various natural energy supplies are born, which in Qur’anic terminology are referred to as fadhilah, the surplus of potential available in the universe for human utilization.

From the existence of this fadhilah, the next concept emerges, which is crucial in human life: rizki (sustenance/provision).

The Definition of Rizki in the Qur’an

Conceptually, rizki can be understood as something consumed by living beings that functions to support the process of growth and the sustainability of life. In this sense, rizki is not merely money or material wealth, but everything that can provide growth support for living organisms.

In the Qur’an, the concept of rizki is frequently linked to consumable natural products, such as fruits, plants, and various products born from ecological processes on earth. Allah says:

ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِرَٰشٗا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءٗ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءٗ فَأَخۡرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ رِزۡقٗا لَّكُمۡ

"[He] who made for you the earth a bed [spread out] and the sky a ceiling and sent down from the sky, rain and brought forth thereby fruits as provision (rizki) for you." (QS. Al-Baqarah: 22)

Thus, rizki is not something that appears suddenly, but is the result of a long and structured natural process.

Rizki and Consumption in Human Life

Rizki in the Qur’an is also often associated with everything humans can enjoy that is lawful and good (ṭayyibāt). This indicates that rizki is not limited to staple foods but includes various forms of enjoyment obtained through empirical processes. Allah says:

قُلۡ مَنۡ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِيٓ أَخۡرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِۦ وَٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ مِنَ ٱلرِّزۡقِ

"Say, 'Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good things [of provision]?'" (QS. Al-A’raf: 32)

This verse demonstrates that rizki encompasses all forms of lawful and beneficial pleasures for human life, whether in the form of food, clothing, or other means of living. In a modern context, these means can take the form of money, trade, or economic activities that allow humans to obtain consumable goods.

Misconceptions Regarding “Sustenance from the Heavens”

However, we are often misled by verses that are actually very logical to understand in this modern era. We often misinterpret "sustenance is in the heavens" to mean that people should wait for fruit or money to fall from the sky. That is not God's intent.

With the advancement of science, we can understand the tawil (interpretation) of verses describing how rizki reaches our mouths: starting from the descent of rain as a source of blessing from the heavens (outer space), creating oceans and rivers, giving life to trees, and so on, until through that long process, something consumable emerges.

Rizki and the Concept of Ikhtiar (Effort)

The Qur’an also emphasizes that humans are commanded to strive to find rizki. In the Qur’an, this activity is often described by the word IBTIGHA’ (ابتغاء), which means to seek with earnestness. Allah says:

فَابْتَغُوا عِندَ اللَّهِ الرِّزْقَ وَاعْبُدُوهُ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ

"...so seek (fabtaghu) from Allah provision and worship Him and be grateful to Him." (QS. Al-Ankabut: 17)

This verse affirms that rizki must be sought through human effort, whether through work, trade (tijārah), or various other productive activities.

Nothing comes by itself; this can be proven. All sustenance comes through effort, either our own effort or the effort of others on our behalf. We can strive and we can ask, but as the Prophet said, "The hand above is better than the hand below." Everything has causality and correlation; it is only our lack of analytical depth that makes us assume rizki can arrive suddenly without effort.

Clarification of Popular Understandings

In society, expressions like "a child is rizki" or "a pious wife is rizki" often arise. Culturally, these expressions are a form of gratitude for Allah's grace. However, when viewed from the definition of rizki in the Qur’an, these terms are terminologically imprecise.

The Qur’an itself mentions that children can be a fitnah (a trial/potential source of chaos) for humans. Allah says:

وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ

"And know that your properties and your children are but a trial (fitnah)" (QS. Al-Anfal: 28)

Similarly, if a pious wife is rizki, can she be "spent" or "donated" (infak)? Allah says:

ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ

"Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend (infak) out of what We have provided for them (rizki)." (QS. Al-Baqarah: 3)

Therefore, the understanding of terms in the Qur’an should be based on an analysis of word usage within the text itself, to avoid deviations in meaning that stray too far from the original intent (post-reality) and to remain within the boundaries of religious understanding (hudud).

Conclusion

From this study, several key points can be concluded:

1. Berkah is the system of natural stability that supports life, including water, trees, and soil.
2. From this system of blessing, fadhilah is born, the surplus potential or natural energy supply.
3. This potential must be sought and pursued through human ikhtiar/effort by working.
4. The results obtained are related to human effort and capacity in managing available resources.
5. From this fadhilah emerges rizki, that which can be consumed and supports the growth of living beings.
6. Rizki does not come suddenly; it comes through natural processes and human effort.
7. Rizki has a social dimension; therefore, a portion of it must be donated (infak) to others.

By understanding this concept systematically, we can avoid the "free interpretations" prevalent in society and return to understanding the terms berkah, fadhilah, and rizki according to Qur’anic usage.

@AbuMusa2026