“Allah enlarges the sustenance (which He gives) to whichever of His servants He pleases; and He (similarly) grants by (strict) measure, (as He pleases): for Allah has full knowledge of all things” (29:62)

A prime consideration in living our lives are the earnings we acquire. This prime consideration, also known as rizq, is not something that is related only to wealth. The part of our lives including how we live, dress, earn and survive are all the constituents of rizq. People go to many extents in order to attain the desired rizq for a successful living. Some even acquire the haraam acts and even kill for it.

When a married couple become parents, the most important thing for them is planning the rizq of their children. They tend to move the heavens and the earth for their child to have everything in the world. However, very often we come across situations when such couples would not have children for the fear of rizq or would not extend families for the fear of rizq or some would even go to the extent of killing one or all of their children so that the income earned is enough for living comfortably.

The most important thing a man forgets in this way is that we are the creation of a Supreme Power who has the ability to make the wrong things right – Who is responsible for bringing us to the world and who is also responsible for providing us the rizq we strive for our whole lives.

When the rizq of a person is not to be found, the living time of the person is ending. Islam tells us that rizq is assigned to us at birth and Allah has made promise of providing rizq to every man. This rizq is determined for a person when he is in the womb of the mother. Nobody possesses the power to increase or decrease the rizq except Allah SWT.

There is nothing wrong in planning for the future and there is nothing wrong in worrying for survival. The only thing wrong is not adhering to the fact that Allah SWT controls everything in our lives. He is the sole provider of every blessing we are showered with. We need to have faith in His powers. If the doors of rizq are closed from one side, they are bound to open from some other side. The faith in Allah’s promise of rizq is essential in bringing up children. Allah is not unfair to any human being. Some are blessed more and some less. This is the tolerance test that we have to succeed.

[pullquote_left]“Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a great sin” (17:31)[/pullquote_left]

“Come, I will rehearse what Allah hath (really) prohibited you from: Join not anything as equal with Him; be good to your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want; We provide sustenance for you and for them” (6:151)

Killing children (in modern-day terms: abortion) for the fear of rizq is a big sin and an act of disbelief in Allah’s presence and power. In many places in the Quran, Allah SWT has emphasized on barakah in rizq by following certain principles of taqwa, prayer, zakat, tawakkul i.e. belief in Allah’s power and istighfar i.e seeking forgiveness.

Believing in these principles would allow a person to develop the fear of Allah only and not to give up on His blessings. Children are innocent creatures who are dependent upon their parents for survival. If parents fear for their rizq, they should seek help only from Allah SWT. Allah SWT asked the believers not to kill their children because of poverty because the idolaters used to kill their children. They buried their daughters for shame and killed their sons for fear of poverty. Even in this era of technological evolution and modernistic approaches, some people follow this backward illegitimate behavior.

The only thing required is faith in Allah’s blessings and constant thanking and prayers.

[quote]Abdullah bin Masood asked the Messenger of Allah SAW about the biggest sin after shirk and he replied, “To kill your son for fear that he might share your food” (Bukhari)[/quote]

Sadaf Siddique
Sadaf Siddique holds a degree in Computers and a Masters in Business Administration. She is the mother of a 2-year-old boy, a part-time writer and a full-time homemaker.