even what a servant consumes unlawfully is included in this provision. Disbelievers may receive provision through unlawful means, and they may receive good provision; sometimes they obtain provision only through strenuous effort. As for those who fear Allah, He provides for them from where they do not expect. Their provision does not come through unlawful means, nor is it impure. The God-fearing person is not deprived of the provision he needs; rather, he is shielded from worldly excess out of mercy and kindness toward him. Indeed, abundant provision may harm its recipient, whereas restricting it is a mercy to him.

Allah Most High says:

“As for man, when his Lord tests him by honoring him and bestowing blessings upon him, he says, ‘My Lord has honored me.’

But when He tests him by restricting his provision, he says, ‘My Lord has humiliated me.’

No!”

That is, the matter is not as he supposes. Not everyone whose provision is made abundant is thereby honored, nor is everyone whose provision is restricted thereby humiliated. Rather, a person may be given abundant provision as a reprieve, drawing him gradually toward his downfall; and his provision may be restricted to protect and safeguard him. A religious person's provision may also be restricted because of his sins and misdeeds, as one of the early generations said:

“A servant may indeed be deprived of provision because of a sin he commits.”

In a hadith, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Whoever frequently seeks forgiveness, Allah will grant him relief from every worry, a way out of every hardship, and provide for him from where he does not expect.”

Allah Most High has stated that good deeds erase bad deeds, that seeking forgiveness is a means of obtaining provision and blessings, and that sins are a cause of calamities and hardship. He, Most High, says: