Economic Terms in the Quran
رِزق
Rizq: Provision, sustenance, livelihood. All forms of sustenance Allah grants. Rizq is always from Allah alone, distributed as He wills.
ثَمَر
Thamar: Fruit, produce, yield. Often refers to agricultural produce or natural resources. Symbol of material blessings, but also a test.
فَضل
Fadl: Grace, bounty, surplus. Refers to Allah’s bounty beyond necessity — wealth, knowledge, victory, etc. Unlike rizq (basic provision), fadl often implies abundance or extra blessings that elevate someone’s condition.
سَبَبًا
Sababa: Means, cause, resources, connections. Refers to the material or technological means/resources Allah grants people to achieve goals. i.e. “We gave him power and means (sababan) of reaching everything” (18:84-85).
مَتاع
Goods, enjoyment. Refers to worldly possessions, assets, tools and pleasures, but until a limited time.