14 Deeds for Increase in Sustenance (Rizq) in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith
According to Islamic creed, a person’s sustenance, life, death, and all affairs are decreed by Allah the Exalted. However, this decree is realized through specific means and efforts. Therefore, along with relying upon Allah, it is the duty of a servant to adopt lawful means. Allah the Exalted says:
“He is the One who has made the earth manageable for you, so walk among its slopes and eat from His provision. And to Him is the resurrection.” (Surah Al-Mulk — 67:15)
This verse combines the command to seek sustenance with consciousness of the Hereafter.
First: Taqwa (God-consciousness) and Tawakkul (Reliance upon Allah)
Fearing Allah, adhering to His commands, and placing complete trust in Him lead to provision from unexpected sources. Allah says:
“And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out. And He will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him.” (Surah At-Talaq — 65:2-3)
Second: Tawbah (Repentance) and Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness)
Allah mentions the statement of Nuh (peace be upon him):
“I said, ‘Seek forgiveness from your Lord; indeed, He is ever Forgiving. He will send rain upon you in abundance, and give you increase in wealth and children, and provide for you gardens and rivers.’” (Surah Nuh — 71:10-12)
The Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, said:
“Whoever regularly seeks forgiveness, Allah will make for him a way out from every distress, relief from every anxiety, and will provide for him from where he does not expect.” (Sunan Abu Dawud — Hadith: 1520; Sunan Ibn Majah — Hadith: 3819)
**Third: Maintaining Family Ties
The Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, said:
“Whoever wishes that his provision be expanded and his lifespan extended, let him maintain the ties of kinship.” (Sahih Bukhari — Hadith: 5985; Sahih Muslim — Hadith: 4639)
**Fourth: Sending Salawat upon the Prophet, Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam
It is narrated that when a Companion intended to dedicate most of his supplication to sending blessings upon the Prophet, he said:
“Then your worries will be removed and your sins will be forgiven.” (Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi — Hadith: 2645)
**Fifth: Spending in the Way of Allah
Allah says:
“Say, ‘Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts it. And whatever you spend – He will replace it; and He is the best of providers.’” (Surah Saba — 34:39)
**Sixth: Performing Hajj and Umrah Continuously
The Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, said:
“Perform Hajj and Umrah consecutively, for they remove poverty and sins just as the bellows remove impurities from iron, gold, and silver.” (Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi — Hadith: 815; Sunan an-Nasa’i — Hadith: 2631)
**Seventh: Showing Kindness to the Weak
The Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, said:
“Are you not granted help and provision because of your weak ones?” (Sahih Bukhari — Hadith: 2896)
**Eighth: Devoting Oneself to Worship
The Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, narrated that Allah says:
“O son of Adam, devote yourself to My worship; I will fill your heart with richness and remove your poverty.” (Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi — Hadith: 2654; Musnad Ahmad — Hadith: 8681; Sunan Ibn Majah — Hadith: 4107)
**Ninth: Migrating in the Way of Allah
Allah says:
“And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many locations and abundance… And whoever leaves his home emigrating to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him – his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah.” (Surah An-Nisa — 4:100)
**Tenth: Striving in the Way of Allah
The Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, said:
“My provision has been placed under the shade of my spear.” (Musnad Ahmad — Hadith: 5667; Al-Bayhaqi — Hadith: 1154)
**Eleventh: Expressing Gratitude
Allah says:
“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you; but if you are ungrateful, indeed My punishment is severe.” (Surah Ibrahim — 14:7)
**Twelfth: Marriage
Allah says:
“And marry the unmarried among you… If they are poor, Allah will enrich them from His bounty.” (Surah An-Nur — 24:32)
**Thirteenth: Supplicating to Allah in Times of Need
Allah says:
“Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” (Surah Ghafir — 40:60)
The Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, said:
“Whoever is afflicted with poverty and presents it to people, his poverty will not be removed. But whoever presents it to Allah, Allah will soon grant him provision, sooner or later.” (Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi — Hadith: 2896; Musnad Ahmad — Hadith: 4218)
**Fourteenth: Abandoning Sin and Remaining Firm upon the Religion
Allah says:
“But you prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and more lasting.” (Surah Al-A‘la — 87:16-17)
The Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, said:
“Successful is the one who has accepted Islam, has been given sufficient provision, and is content with what Allah has given him.” (Sahih Muslim — Hadith: 2473; Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi — Hadith: 2348; Musnad Ahmad — Hadith: 6572)
Thus, the expansion of sustenance is not limited to worldly strategies of earning; rather, it is deeply connected to taqwa, repentance, worship, charity, spiritual purification, and a life oriented toward the Hereafter.
Finally, we pray to Allah the Exalted to grant us the ability to adopt these means and to strive successfully in earning lawful sustenance. Ameen.