What Is Rezeki?

Baby Mo stared at a spoonful of rice on his plate. "Umi, where does this rice even come from?"

"Great question! Let's trace it," said Umi. "This rice was once raw grain. The grain came from rice plants a farmer grew in the field. The farmer planted a tiny seed… then who made it grow?"

"The rain!" answered Baby Mo. "And the sun!"

"Right. And who sends the rain and the sun?"

"Allah," said Baby Mo, beginning to see where the story was going.

"There you go. So one grain of rice on your plate actually went on a long journey — the farmer, the soil, the rain, the sun — and all of it was arranged by Allah. That's what rezeki is: every good gift from Allah."

Baby Mo looked at his rice with fresh wonder. "So rezeki is just food?"

"Not just food, dear. Let's go on a rezeki hunt!" Umi counted with him. "A warm home — rezeki. Umi and Abi who love you — rezeki. Healthy eyes, legs that can run, Baby Ais as a friend — all rezeki from Allah."

Baby Mo counted on his fingers until he ran out of fingers. It turned out he had so much rezeki!

"And because rezeki is a gift from Allah," Umi went on, "we say thank you with Alhamdulillah, and we share with others."

So Baby Mo set aside a few grains of rice and some bread crumbs, then scattered them on the porch for the little birds. Before long, a sparrow landed and pecked happily.

"Umi, look! I shared my rezeki!" he cried with joy.

Umi stroked his head. "Masha'Allah. Rezeki that is shared never decreases — it only grows more blessed."

There is no creature on earth but that its provision is upon Allah.

Now, go on a rezeki hunt with your little one: count five of Allah's gifts today, then say together, "Alhamdulillah." 🍚🐦