Allah Swt is the only One who is able to provide everything that all creatures on Earth need. The things we need in this world are called sustenance. Allah gives sustenance according to its portion. However, it is not impossible for Him to increase someone’s sustenance more than it should be, as long as that person believes and obeys Islamic law.
“Pray to Me, and I will surely grant you (what you wish for).” (QS. Ghafir: 60)
The above verse explains that Allah swt calls all His people to devote themselves only to Him. By doing so, Allah will grant all the requests of the servant. Human requests to their Lord can be in any form, including asking for additional sustenance in the world.
However, the way to increase sustenance in Islam is not just praying. There are many halal ways that humans can do to increase their sustenance. What are they? Let’s see the review below.
What is sustenance?
Before knowing how to increase sustenance in Islam, we should first know what sustenance is. When talking about sustenance, most people still think that it is only about money. However, sustenance is actually everything that is beneficial to us.
Sustenance can be in the form of money, it can also be a healthy body, good friends, ease in realizing hopes, Islamic faith, and so on. Sustenance includes wealth, family ties, spirituality, faith, intelligence, health, and all things that benefit us and can also help us fulfill our duties and obligations to serve and obey Allah.
Read also: Get Well Wishes in Islam: Prayers, Quranic Verses, and Hadiths for Healing
How to Increase Sustenance
There is no doubt that only Allah can provide sustenance to us, because He is Ar-Razzaq, the Giver of sustenance. And Muslims believe that Allah Swt has determined the sustenance for each of His people. However, there are several halal ways that can be done to increase our sustenance in the world. What are the ways?
- Repent from sin
We must ask forgiveness for our sins to Allah Swt every day with our hearts, not just with our tongues. Many people feel that their sustenance is not increasing, but decreasing. Why? Because they only ask for forgiveness with their tongue, not with their heart.
Allah swt says: “Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving. (If you seek forgiveness) surely He will send down upon you abundant rain from the sky, and multiply your wealth and children, and make for you gardens and rivers.” (QS. Nuh: 10-12)
For this reason, if you are facing losses in business or worried about the condition of your career or work, try to say istighfar as much as you can.
- Obey Allah
Allah promises in the Qur’an that whoever fears Him, He will provide sustenance beyond imagination. Therefore, as true believers, we must fear Allah, obey Him, and fulfill our obligations to the best of our ability.
Allah says: “If the people of the lands had believed and feared, We would have opened to them blessings from the heavens and the earth, but they denied (the messengers and Our verses). So, We tormented them for what they had always done.” (QS. Al-A’raf: 96)
Allah swt also promises that every Muslim who does good and obeys Him, then He will provide sustenance in this world, as well as save the goodness to be reaped in the hereafter.
The Prophet said, “Indeed, the disbeliever who does good will feel the reward of that good in this world. As for the believer, Allah will store his goodness in the hereafter and give him sustenance in this world because of his obedience.” (HR Muslim)
- Increasing Sustenance by Keeping in Touch
Breaking ties with fellow humans, especially with family and relatives is something that is very disliked by Allah SWT. On the other hand, our immediate family has certain rights over us and if we want to increase our sustenance, then we must be kind to them. If we want more sustenance and success in life, then we must do the most favorable deed to Allah, which is to keep in touch.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said: “And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him keep in touch.” (HR Bukhari)
Anas bin Malik narrated that the Prophet said: “Whoever wishes that he may be provided with plenty of sustenance and that his life may be prolonged, let him keep in touch.” (HR. Al-Bukhari).
Read also: Dhikr After Prayer, Its Benefits, and Example Readings
- Increase Sustenance by Praying
Prayer is the only thing that can change our destiny. If Allah wants, then He will give us more sustenance if we pray more often. Allah loves those who pray and ask Him for everything, even if it’s just asking for shoelaces. So, it can be said that prayer is the secret weapon of the believer.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Ask Allah for everything, even your shoelaces. If Allah does not give, then it will never be given.” (HR. Tirmidhi)
- Gratitude and Praise to Allah
“(Remember) when your Lord said: ‘If you give thanks, I will increase (blessings) upon you; but if you deny (My blessings), surely My punishment is very severe’.” (QS. Ibrahim: 7)
Gratitude is the bare minimum we can do for Allah SWT. Because, all the things that make us able to live until now are blessings from Him. The best way to thank Him is by saying alhamdulillah.
- Honest in Transactions
A person should be honest in his dealings and tell others about any defects in an item.
If he finds a defect, he should be honest enough to tell the buyer about it.
The Prophet said: “Both parties to a transaction have the right (to cancel the contract) as long as they have not separated. So, if they are truthful (to each other) and honest in describing (the defect of an item), then they will be blessed in their transaction. However, if they lie and conceal (the defect of an item), then the blessing of their transaction is destroyed.” (HR Muslim)
- Tawakal
“Anas bin Malik said: ‘A man asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, should I tie it (the camel) and put my trust in it or leave it free and put my trust in it?’ He said: ‘Tie it and put your trust in it.'” (HR. At-Tirmidhi)
“And Allah will give him sustenance from a direction he never expected. And whoever puts his trust in Allah, Allah will provide for him. Indeed, Allah will perfect his destiny. Verily, Allah has made provision for all things.” (QS. Al-Thalaq: 2-3)
Read also: Sadaqah When It’s Hard: Strengthening Faith, Opening Doors to Sustenance
- Caring for Children Wholeheartedly
“Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. It is we who provide for them and for you. Indeed, killing them is a great sin.” (QS. Al-Isra’: 31)
We are forbidden to “kill” our children just because we are facing poverty. In fact, we must surrender or put our trust in Allah, because He is the Provider of sustenance for all mankind.
- Increasing Sustenance with Almsgiving
Some people may feel that when they give alms, their wealth decreases. But in fact, behind it all there are hidden rewards and Allah promises to compensate whatever we give in His way, both in this world and in the hereafter.
“And whatever you spend (in the cause of Allah), Allah will compensate you. And He is the best of providers.” (QS. Saba’: 39)
“Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad said: ‘Every day two angels descend from heaven, one of whom prays: ‘O Allah, compensate everyone who spends in Your way’. The other angel prays: ‘O Allah, deprive every miser of his wealth’.” (HR Bukhari)
“Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said: ‘Allah says, O son of Adam, set aside time for constant worship of Me, surely I will fill your heart with My pleasure and remove your poverty. If you do not, I will keep your hands busy, but I will not remove your poverty.” (HR Tirmidhi)
Those are the things that can help us increase our sustenance in a halal way and inshallah blessed by Allah SWT. We need to keep remembering that sustenance is something that Allah gives us. Only He can provide abundant sustenance to us, and if He wants, then no one can prevent it.
Friends, continue to make istighfar, say alhamdulillah at the slightest things, leave sins, pray on time, and give alms as much as you can. With these things, Insha Allah we can obtain and increase our sustenance in a halal way. May Allah give us the strength to achieve sustenance in a halal way! Aameen… (RQA)