There Is No Creature on Earth But Its Provision Is Upon Allah — The Responsibility of Provision
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Level: basic
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وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رِزۡقُهَا
— هود 6
Verse: "There is no creature on earth but its provision is upon Allah." (11:6)
"Upon Allah" (ala Allah): The preposition "ala" indicates obligation and responsibility — Allah has taken upon Himself the provision of every creature and made it binding on Himself.
"Every creature" (ma min dabba): Absolute inclusiveness — worms in the earth's depths, fish in the sea, birds in the sky — all provisioned. How can rational humans doubt their provision?
Lesson: Anxiety about provision is distrust of Allah's explicit promise. Your provision is guaranteed — your task is to take the legitimate means.
Source: Ibn Kathir (4/292); Al-Sadi; Al-Qurtubi (9/1)
Question: What does "its provision is upon Allah" mean — does it indicate Allah binding Himself?
Answer: Yes — "ala" indicates responsibility and obligation. Allah took upon Himself the provision of every creature as binding on Himself by virtue of His lordship and generosity.