and what He has decreed for him through earning cannot be obtained without earning. Whatever He has decreed for him without earning—as when someone from whom he inherits dies—comes to him without earning. Striving is of two kinds:

Striving through established means of obtaining provision, such as craftsmanship, agriculture, and trade; and striving through supplication, reliance upon Allah, kindness to others, and similar deeds. For Allah helps His servant as long as the servant helps his brother.

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Provision has two meanings:

The first is what a person benefits from.

The second is what a person owns. This second meaning is intended in His words:

“and spend out of what We have provided for them”

and His words:

“And spend from what We have provided for you.”

This refers to the lawful property that Allah has granted him ownership of.

As for the first meaning, it is intended in His words:

“There is no creature on earth whose provision is not guaranteed by Allah”

and in the words of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“No soul will die until it has received its provision in full,”

and similar statements. A person may consume what is lawful or unlawful; it counts as provision in this first sense, but not in the second. Whatever he acquires but does not benefit from counts as provision in the second sense, not the first, for in reality it is his heir’s wealth, not his own. And Allah knows best.