There exists no creature except that Allah has apportioned a livelihood for it, and no soul departs from the world before it has consumed the last morsel that had been ordained for it. One should strive to procure lawful sustenance and, in the event of delay and stoppages in this path, desist from attempting to obtain it by unlawful means – the best approach being that of patience and self-control.
Every person has his sustenance placed in a particular thing – one has his sustenance placed in trade, while another has it in leadership while yet another in farming, etc.
Absence of satisfaction with respect to the share allotted, and lack of contentment strengthens the vices of greed and covetousness within man leading him towards sins in order to procure an increased sustenance – a state that only stems from a lack of Tawakkul in Allah.
(1) They Should Witness the Wisdom!
Prophet Musa (a.s) came across a poor person who, due to his abject poverty, lay bare-bodied on the desert sand. When he (a.s) came nearer, the person requested: “O’ Musa! Pray to Allah that he grants me a little sustenance for I am on the verge of dying.”
Musa (a.s) prayed for him and then proceeded from there to Mount Sinai to converse with Allah.
A few days later Musa (a.s), on his return, happened to pass by that very place when he witnessed that the same poor man had been arrested and a large crowd had gathered around him.
He (a.s) inquired: “What has happened?” The people present there said: “Until recently he was penniless but off late he had managed to acquire some money; having consumed wine, he got involved in a brawl and killed a person. He has now been arrested so that he can be subjected to ‘qisas’ and put to death!”
Allah says in the Noble Qur`an:
وَ لَوْ بَسَطَ اللٌّهُ الرِّزْقَ لِعِبادِهِ لَبَغَوْا فِي الأَرْضِ
“And if Allah should amplify the provision for His servants they would certainly revolt in the earth.”
Musa (a.s) acknowledged the divine Wisdom and, expressing repentance over his request, sought Allah’s forgiveness.
