Quran 2:22 - The Ultimate Provider: Why Your Sustenance Points to a Single Source
Quran 2:22 - The Ultimate Provider: Why Your Sustenance Points to a Single Source
Arabic Text and Translation
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فِرَٰشًا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
Transliteration: Alladhī ja'ala lakumul-arḍa firāshaw was-samā'a binā'an wa anzala minas-samā'i mā'an fa akhraja bihī minath-thamarāti rizqal lakum, falā taj'alū lillāhi andādan wa antum ta'lamūn
Easy Translation: "[He] who has made for you the earth a resting place and the sky a canopy, and sent down from the sky rain and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you. So do not attribute to Allah equals while you know [better]."
Easy Word-by-Word Meaning
This verse continues the direct call to humanity from the previous verse ("O mankind, worship your Lord..."). It now provides the logical proofs for why Allah alone deserves our worship.
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فِرَٰشًا (Alladhī ja'ala lakumul-arḍa firāshaw): "[He] who has made for you the earth a resting place..."
The earth is not a chaotic, unstable rock. It is a stable bed (firash) perfectly designed for us to live on, with gravity, a protective atmosphere, and a solid crust.
وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً (was-samā'a binā'an): "...and the sky a canopy..."
The sky is like a protective roof (bina). It shields us from harmful cosmic rays, meteors, and the extreme cold of space, while providing the perfect air we breathe.
وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ (wa anzala minas-samā'i mā'an fa akhraja bihī minath-thamarāti rizqal lakum): "...and sent down from the sky rain and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you."
This describes the perfect life-support system. Rain (water) is the key that unlocks the food (rizq) stored within the earth. This is a continuous, precise cycle that sustains all life.
فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا (falā taj'alū lillāhi andādan): "So do not attribute to Allah equals..."
Andad (plural of nidd) means rivals, partners, or equals. After listing these incredible blessings, the logical conclusion is: How can you set up fake gods alongside the One True God who provides all this?
وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ (wa antum ta'lamūn): "...while you know [better]."
This is a powerful conclusion. It appeals to human conscience. Deep down, your innate nature (Fitrah) knows that these blessings could not have come from a stone idol, a person, or by random chance. You know there is one Supreme Creator.
Relevance in the Past, Present, and Future
1. Past Relevance: The Argument Against Idol Worship
For the first people who heard this in Mecca, this verse was a direct challenge to their idolatry.
They worshipped idols made of stone and wood. This verse asked them: Did this idol make the earth your bed? Did it build the sky as your roof? Does it send down the rain to grow your food? The obvious answer is "no," exposing the foolishness of their beliefs.
It appealed to their basic logic and the innate human understanding (Fitrah) that there is a single, powerful Creator.
2. Present Relevance: The Argument Against Modern "Gods"
Today, people may not worship stone idols, but they have new "gods" (andad). This verse provides the perfect antidote.
The God of Science and Nature: Some people attribute these perfect systems to an impersonal "nature" or "chance." This verse says the system is so perfectly designed, it points to an Intelligent Designer, not a random accident.
The God of Money and Career: When someone's ultimate goal in life is to earn money and climb the career ladder, that becomes their "god." This verse reminds us that the real Provider (Razzaq) is Allah. The money itself is a provision from Him.
The God of Desires: When people follow their own desires (for fame, pleasure, etc.) above Allah's commands, they make desire their god. This verse calls us to remember who gave us the capacity for pleasure and who set its limits.
An Environmental Reminder: The verse beautifully highlights the balance of the ecosystem—the earth, sky, rain, and plants. It teaches us that Allah has made nature a trust for us, and we must be grateful caretakers, not destructive exploiters.
3. Future Relevance: The Eternal Proof and Our Accountability
The signs mentioned in this verse will remain until the end of time as proof for humanity.
A Perpetual Invitation: For every future generation, the sky, the earth, and the rain will continue to be signs inviting people to reflect and recognize their Creator.
The Basis of Accountability: On the Day of Judgment, no one can plead ignorance. This verse ends with "while you know." Allah will remind humanity that He gave them clear signs in creation and an innate sense of His existence. Their rejection was a conscious choice, not a lack of evidence.
A Call to Gratitude (Shukr): The ultimate response to these blessings is gratitude, which is shown through worship. Recognizing that every piece of food and every breath of air is from Allah prevents arrogance and fosters humility and thankfulness.
Conclusion
Quran 2:22 is a powerful, logical argument for believing in One God.
It teaches us that:
The entire universe is a sign (Ayah) of Allah's power, mercy, and oneness.
Worship is the natural response of a grateful heart to the One who provides everything.
Setting up "equals" to Allah (Shirk) is the greatest injustice because it gives the credit for creation to something that did not create.
This verse calls us to open our eyes, use our intellect, and redirect our worship from the creation—whether they are idols, money, or desires—to the One True Creator, Sustainer, and Provider, Allah.