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lahū maqālīdu s-samāwāti wa-l-ʾarḍi yabsuṭu r-rizqa li-man yashāʾu wa-yaqdiru ʾinnahū bi-kulli shayʾin ʿalīmun
To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth: He expands the provision for whomever He wishes, and tightens it [for whomever He wishes]. Indeed He has knowledge of all things.’
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah al-Shura - Verse 12
12. To Him belongs the keys of the heavens and the earth. He enlarges provision for whom He wills, and straitens [it for whom He wills]. Verily, He is the All-Knower of everything [and His enlarging and straitening the provisions are based on His Omniscience and Wisdom].
The Arabic word maqalid is the plural form of miqlid (“key”). In the same manner that one may use a key to lock or unlock something, One Who has the key to the heavens and the earth may enlarge or straiten provision. The keys of existence are at times material means as intermediaries of Divine Bounties like rain that rejuvenates the earth and at times they are Divine Names as mentioned in the Prayer of Samat:
“O Lord! We call You by the Name that if It is called unto the closed gates of the heavens, they will be opened through Your Mercy.”
Although enlarging and straitening provision and sustenance are dependent upon Divine Will, but man is not supposed to desist from making endeavors. It is said in the Holy Qur’an:
that is, make efforts to earn your living. The keys to the heavens and the earth are subject to His Omnipotence and each and every person is granted his provision as ordained by Divine Decree as per His Wisdom and the order of the world. It is His Divine Will that He enlarges the provision of some people and straitens that of others.
refers to the fact that enlarging and straitening of provisions for different people are not haphazard but they all depend upon His Wisdom and Discretion as He is the Lord and Provider of all things and has preordained portions for everything and everyone. The motif is elsewhere4 reflected in the Holy Qur’an:
It is worthy of note that some Qur’anic exegets interpret:
as Divine Ordainments. In other words, everything is in the stores of Divine Omnipotence and He sends down whatever He wills. However, some other Qur’anic exegets maintain that the phrase:
indicates all beings that exist in the world of existence and the material world.
Footnotes