The word Rizq is mentioned 123 times in the Quran. The word Rizq has its roots in arabic meaning provision or sustenance, that which is given and , indeed , Allah is the One who determines our Rizq or sustenance. Thus, one of the names of Allah is 'Ar-Razzaq' or 'Al- Raziq'.

Allah asserts that he is the sole sustainer and provider of every living being in the world ,which include humans, animals, birds, insects and others without any girift. Allah says in the Holy Book:
“Indeed, it is Allah who is the (continual) Provider, the firm possessor of strength.”
(Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:58)
And indeed, it is Allah who is the best of providers (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:58)
Hence, its the Creator himself who is the sustainer of his creation.
Rizq is often understood to mean only material possessions such as money, food, employment, housing etc. Rizq is anything that brings benefit or goodness to us. Well I believe sustenance is not limited to wealth alone, it is faith, spirituality, health, intellect so on and so forth. Not only such things but our senses , existence , elegance, the moments of happiness and sadness, knowledge, love, beauty and above all faith in Allah, these all attributes fall under the manifestation of Rizq.
Rizq also includes anything that will help us to fulfill our obligations to God. Rizq sustains us throughout our lives on earth, even the air we breathe is a form of Rizq.
Accordingly, it is said that there are two types of Rizq: one sustains the body, such as food and drink, while the other sustains the soul, which is knowledge and true inspiration. The latter is the best type of sustenance simply because what sustains the soul lasts forever, while what sustains the body is of temporary duration.
God wrote down the Rizq of the creation 50,000 years before He created the heavens and the earth. (Muslim)
Every season rather every moment is busy in its own way providing the creation with the Rizq but we, the humans are veiled due to one or the other factor and therefore are unable to discover it. Though we see the process but do not understand it.
See the relationship of the rain and the Rizq, where people call them by each other’s name. The trees in the forests are a source of Rizq to the multitude. Their branches provide nest to birds, they provide shade in the scorching heat to the thirsty, and they give wood for burning and building homes. All these are the manifestations of Rizq, provided by trees which in turn are a result of rain. And the rain from the sky is the will of Allah. Because rain is the manifestation of Ar - Razzaq attribute of Allah.
Similarly one animal is the Rizq of the other animal.
The Rizq of humans is in themselves , hidden in one or the other part. And discovering it is an obligation beyond which the attainment process of Rizq may be minimised to the utmost.
Some people's Rizq is hidden in their intellect, where they attain Rizq by providing knowledge, etc to the others. Someone's Rizq is hidden in their throat or the hands, etc , where they attain Rizq through their melodious voice or the other manual work, etc. All this is the handiwork of Allah.
Broadly speaking, coming to the utility of the Rizq , it is twofold i.e. a man can utilise the Rizq in two ways in his practical life; legitimate or illegitimate. Using the legitimate source to get the illegimate Rizq is in itself a mindless act and the most a sin. We should utilise our sources to get the legitimate Rizq . That is the way so called divine. Even if we have to wait for it, we'll get the Rizq just we got our existence and the power of our senses besides others. It is a promise of Allah.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that a soul will not die until it gets all of the provision that has been written for it. (Ibn Hibban)
Therefore, even if you feel that your provision is slow in coming you can rest assured that whatever has been written for you will certainly come to you. Our part is to strive for our Rizq, like the birds we must go out every day working, not for material gain but for the sake of God. Allah reminds us to have faith in him even in the conditions of misery through this verse as;
Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a great sin” (Quran 17:31)
At last but not least, one should always invoke Allah to provide him with legitimate Rizq. Earning legitimate Rizq is in itself a worship. And in hard times, have faith in Allah and ask Allah to give us patience and shower the mercy on us, as the most merciful he is, and give right directions to our efforts.
Faith and efforts, in terms of Rizq, are intertwined. They are the two pillars on which our whole destined Rizq is based on. Allah has commanded for every capable individual to put in the right effort in search of provision despite it being pre-determined for everyone. This is also reflected in the way Allah has created birds and animals, their way of life, to survive and to procreate. The Prophet (SAW) mentioned in a Hadith:
“If you were to rely upon Allah with the reliance He is due, you would be given provision like the birds. It goes forth hungry in the morning and returns with a full belly at dusk.”(Sunan At-Tirmizi)

The author holds PG in Physics with Bed from Kashmir University
Email:----------- syedsabahat1@gmail.com