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Reflecting upon the beautiful names of Allah as they appear in the Qur'an is a profound journey that enriches our understanding and deepens our faith.

One such name is Al-Razzaq—The Perpetual Provider—which appears once in the Qur'an, with an attribute and another name.

He is "the firm possessor of strength" (Dhul-Quwwati Al-Mateen).

The attribute here is strength, and Al-Mateen signifies firmness, solidity, and unwavering consistency.

When we seek provision, we naturally look for two essential qualities: strength and reliability.

Consider your cell phone or internet service provider.

They boast about the strength of their network—coverage, speed, and capacity.

A 5G network promises lightning-fast speeds, showcasing the strength of their provision.

But strength alone isn't enough. If that speed is only available in select spots and the connection is unreliable elsewhere, we grow frustrated.

We crave consistency.

Allah's provision combines both unparalleled strength and absolute consistency.

He doesn't just provide; He does so with unwavering reliability.

Just as He provided for us yesterday, He is fully capable of providing for us tomorrow.

Understanding Allah as Ar-Razzaq should shape our decisions and anchor our trust.

There was a brother, an entrepreneur with a vision.

He founded a rapidly growing Instacart service, catering to the needs of Muslims and various ethnic communities by providing halal and specialty foods.

His business flourished, and the demand soared beyond his capacity.

It was time to scale up, and that meant seeking significant investment.

He prepared to pitch his business to major investors, most of whom were not Muslim.

As he rehearsed his presentation, a nagging concern weighed on him.

He anticipated a pivotal question: "What about selling alcohol and pork?"

He knew including such products could make the business more appealing to investors.

The dilemma gnawed at him.

Should he compromise his principles for the sake of expansion?

He pondered over possible loopholes.

Could he perhaps segment the business, allowing a non-Muslim partner to handle the alcohol sales separately?

Would that be acceptable?

He discussed his concerns with his family, seeking their counsel.

They reminded him of the importance of staying true to his values and trusting in Allah's provision.

Strengthened by their support, he resolved to stand firm.

The day of the pitch arrived. Standing before the investors, he delivered his presentation with confidence.

The anticipated question came: "Have you considered including alcohol in your product range?"

Taking a deep breath, he replied, "No, we have decided not to sell alcohol."

He braced himself for a barrage of objections, but to his surprise, the investor simply nodded and said, "Alright," before moving on to the next question.

The issue that had loomed so large in his mind was dismissed without fuss.

Reflecting on that moment, the brother realized how Shaytan magnifies our fears, whispering threats of loss and poverty.

Yet, when we place our trust in Allah and uphold our principles, He paves the way for us.

Al-Hasan al-Basri, a renowned scholar, once said, "I read in over ninety places in the Qur'an that Allah has decreed and secured provision for us, and I read in only one place that Shaytan threatens us with poverty.

Yet, we doubt the words of the Truthful and believe the words of the liar."

Allah's provision is not limited by the avenues we perceive; His bounty is vast, and His means are beyond our imagination.

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