Struggling for Finance While Rizq Is Written? An Inspiring Story

Why work hard at all? If our rizq was written 50,000 before creation.

Fifty Thousand Years Before Creation: The Divine Timeline of Provision

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

"Allah wrote the Destiny of all creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth."

(Sahih Muslim 2653)

The great scholars elaborated on this hadith:

• Allah’s complete knowledge and control: Every soul’s destiny, birth, lifespan, deeds, and sustenance are recorded with His Divine Pen.

  
  

• “Fifty thousand years” highlights the eternity and perfection of Allah’s knowledge; not a literal countdown.

  
  

• All was set into motion before birth; nothing can modify what Allah has ordained.

  
  

• Life is not random: Divine decree (qadr) and human effort work together. Your actions matter, but the outcome is always in Allah’s hands.

  
  

Reference:

Imam al-Nawawi – Sharh Sahih Muslim (Commentary on Hadith 2653)

Ibn Taymiyyah – Majmu‘ al-Fatawa (Vol. 8, discussion on Qadr)

Ibn al-Qayyim – Shifa’ al- ‘Alil fi Masa’il al-Qada’ wa’l-Qadr

Your Rizq is Written: Allah's promise of sustenance:

According to the Qur’an, Allah’s perfect and eternal knowledge is inscribed in the Sacred Tablet by His Divine Pen.

"And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. He knows whatever is in the land and the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. There is not a grain within the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry but that it is [written] in a clear record."

Struggle in Islam: Reward of One’s Own Labor

A farmer's hands earn little, but his heart trusts Allah completely.

Struggle is a Test, not a Sign of Lack. Imagine a farmer, working day and night tirelessly, braving scorching heat, biting cold, and relentless rain.

He receives just a humble reward for his work, yet the fruits and vegetables that reach our tables are a testament to his toil.

"The Prophet ﷺ said: “No one eats better food than that which he eats from his own labor.”

Sahih Muslim 2737

This Hadith is the perfect example of how to live like a true fighter striving to please Allah while trusting His will.

A memorable, lesson-filled story from my childhood came to mind, and I think you should read it too.

The Limping Fox and a Lion King: A Lesson About Rizq

Inspired by the stories of Sheikh Saadi – Gulistan

Once, a wandering sage was walking through a forest. He saw a limping fox, a tiny, helpless creature.

He wondered, “How does this little fox find food? It cannot hunt or take care of itself.”

As he watched, a lion appeared. It carried a small jackal in its mouth. The lion ate part of it and left the rest on the ground. The fox quickly ate the leftover meat and filled its belly.

The sage thought it might be a coincidence. Curious, he stayed there the next day. To his surprise, another lion came and did the same thing. Again, the fox ate what was left.

At that moment, the sage realized something important: the fox’s food was being provided by Allah (and its rizq had been written long before creation, fifty thousand years ago, on the sacred tablet with the pen).

The sage thought, “If Allah can provide for a helpless fox, my rizq will surely reach me too.”

He sat down, expecting food to come on its own.

But days passed, and nothing came. Weak and hungry, he heard a voice from a nearby mosque:

“O sage! Do you want to be like the fox, waiting for food to fall into your lap? Or do you want to be like the lion, who hunts for his own food, eats part of it, and shares the rest?”

The sage finally understood: Allah provides for everyone, but we must also work for our sustenance. True rizq comes from effort, patience, and trust in Allah.

Causes of Financial Problems: Islamic and Behavioral Psychology

1. Sins and Wrong Choices

Sometimes our own bad actions or wrong choices can lead to financial loss. Allah says:

“And whatever strikes you of disaster, it is for what your hands have earned.”

(Surah Ash-Shura 42:30)

2. Greed and Never Being Satisfied

Always wanting more can trap a person in debt and stress. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“If the son of Adam had a valley full of gold, he would like to have two valleys.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari 6439)

3. Not Giving Charity (Zakat)

Holding back from helping others or being miserly may actually limit the blessings in your wealth.

Narrated `Adi bin Hatim heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying: "Save yourself from Hellfire even by giving half a date-fruit in charity.

(Sahih al-Bukhari 1417)

👉Remember the shocking story of Qarun, who was extremely rich but refused zakat; eventually, his wealth became his destruction.

5. Ignoring Allah’s Guidance & Ungratefulness

Turning away from Allah and being ungrateful can lead to hardship in life and loss of blessings. Allah warns:

“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.”

(Surah Ibrahim 14:7)

Behavioral psychology also supports this view:

• Financial Stress and Anxiety

Persistent worry about money can create a feedback loop of stress and poor financial decisions (Frankham et al., 2020).

• Behavioral and Motivational Factors

Lack of motivation or financial knowledge can lead to ineffective spending and budgeting behaviors (Di Domenico et al., 2022).

• Greed and Ungratefulness

Higher levels of greed are linked to spending more, saving less, and debt accumulation (Seuntjens et al., 2016)

Parting Wisdom: Patience and Believe in Allah

This topic is vast, and the discussion could go on endlessly. But remember: your sustenance will come.

• Trust His plan.

  
  

• Believe in His timing.

  
  

⭐ What about you? How do you strive and trust Allah in your daily efforts? Share your thoughts.

Jazakumullahu khairan

May Allah reward you [all] with goodness