Risq

Risq is a transliteration of the Arabic word rizq (رزق), meaning sustenance, provision, or livelihood. In Islamic theology, rizq refers to the sustenance that God provides to all creatures, including material goods, opportunities, and even time and ability. The concept is often discussed in relation to divine decree (qadar) and human effort; while sustenance is ultimately attributed to God, believers are encouraged to seek lawful means through work, prudence, and ethical conduct.

Variants and usage: The spelling rizq, rizk, or risq arises from differences in transliterating the Arabic qaf (ق). The term is widely used across languages influenced by Arabic or Islam, including Urdu, Persian, Turkish, Malay, and Indonesian. In many communities, it also functions metaphorically to denote any form of provision or opportunity, not just food or money.

In literature and philosophy, rizq is examined as a theme of dependence on divine provision and personal responsibility. Sufi writers sometimes emphasize gratitude for rizq and humility before its distribution. In everyday speech, the phrase "to earn rizq" denotes earning a livelihood through lawful work, while expressions of gratitude acknowledge the perceived source of sustenance.

For English readers, rizq is distinct from risk; the two terms are not etymologically related, though their phonetic similarity can cause confusion. See also rizq in religious and cultural contexts.