Trust in Allah and Provisions for Seekers of Knowledge

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Assalamu alaykum
(1) Has Allah promised that if a person busies himself with seeking and teaching sacred knowledge and worship, He will provide for him and those dependent on him without them having to look for provision, neither by asking to people nor by finding a job (since the job would divert their efforts from learning)?
(2) In alternative, would finding someone to sponsor our studies be considered disliked or against tawakkul?
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
(1) No, it is obligatory for you to support your family. Find a lawful source of income and study hard on the side, filling your life with blessing and sincerity, and insha’Allah you’ll see the benefit. Knowledge, too, is sustenance, and Allah gives to whomsoever He wishes.
(2) Trust in Allah is for one’s heart to be at rest and confident with the Divine Promise. [see: Saving for Retirement & Trust in Allah] The sunna is to take the means whilst relying upon Allah, and not upon the means themselves. And as such, there would be nothing wrong in seeking a scholarship in order to fulfil your goals.
Please see also: A Reader on Patience and Reliance on Allah and consider taking: Faith in Divine Unity & Trust in Divine Providence
And Allah alone gives success.
wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani