REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Although it is guaranteed by Allah SWT, everyone has their own level of fortune. In addition, there are those whose nutritional levels are abundant as well as the meager ones. But it is all in accordance with the provisions of Allah. What is the wisdom behind the difference in levels of sustenance?
Irwan Kurniawan in his book Mengetuk Pintu Rezeki says that each person has different abilities. People's chances of being productive are not the same. Similarly with the chances of getting a different job.
Irwan says that Allah gives fortune and an airy life to a group of people not simply because they deserve it. On the contrary, God gives narrow sustenance to a certain group of people not for lack of it alone.
According to Irwan, God gave the measure of the difference to test His gifts given to them and the wealth bestowed upon them. Thus, it can be seen how they can be grateful for the favor given by Allah.
Irwan added that with different measures of sustenance, God will see if people disown God's favor. God tests man with the narrowness given by Allah Swt. Will they be able to accept and be patient for the narrowness that is obtained. On the contrary, they do not accept with the narrowness of life and sustenance that it feels.
Allah through His words in Surah al-Anbiya' verse 35 has shown about trials through the hardships of life. The verse reads:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَاۤىِٕقَةُ الْمَوْتِۗ وَنَبْلُوْكُمْ بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً ۗوَاِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُوْنَ
Kullu nafsin żā'iqatul-maut(i), wa nablūkum bisy-syarri wal-khairi fitnah(tan), wa ilainā turja'ūn(a).
It means: "Every soul will taste death. We test you with evil and good as a trial. To Us you will be returned."
Irwan added the wisdom behind the difference in the measure of fortune is to create balance in life and eradicate the tendencies to do evil and damage. But in truth Allah has measured every measure of fortune given to humans.
Surah asy-Shura verse 27 has mentioned how Allah gives the measure of sustenance. The verse reads:
وَلَوْ بَسَطَ اللّٰهُ الرِّزْقَ لِعِبَادِهٖ لَبَغَوْا فِى الْا َرْضِ وَلٰكِنْ يُّنَزِّلُ بِقَدَرٍ مَّا يَشَاۤءُ ۗاِنَّهٗ بِعِبَادِهٖ خَبِيْرٌۢ بَصِيْرٌ
Wa lau basṭallāhur rizqa li‘ibādihīlabagau fil-arḍi wa lākiy yunazzilu biqadarim mā yasyā'(u), innah ū bi‘ibādihī khabīrum baṣīr(un).
Meaning: "If Allah had extended sustenance to His servants, they would have done beyond their limits on earth. However, He sends down what He wills in a (certain) measure. Indeed, He is All-Aware, All-Seeing (the condition of) his servants. His servant."