Thekabarnews.com—Millions of Indonesians start each morning chasing deadlines, finding customers, building businesses or working overtime. Yet despite their efforts, many still feel financially insecure and wonder why their rizq, or provision, appears increasingly limited.

The pressure is understandable. Indonesia had 147.67 million employed people in February 2026, while the average monthly employee wage stood at Rp3.29 million, according to Statistics Indonesia.

Modern “hustle culture” often promotes a simple message: “If you want to be rich, work harder.” Islam recognizes the importance of lawful work and personal effort, but it does not define provision solely through income, promotions or material wealth.

Islamic teachings also associate rizq with divine blessing, thankfulness, ethical behavior and repentance. The Quran and the Sunnah have put a lot of emphasis on a practice called istighfar, which is to ask Allah ﷻ for forgiveness.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regularly sought forgiveness despite his exemplary status. Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet said:

وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ فِي الْيَوْمِ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً

“By Allah! I ask for forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.”

The narration appears in Sahih al-Bukhari 6307 and carries the highest standard of authenticity within Sunni hadith scholarship.

The practice shows that istighfar is more than repeating Astaghfirullah. It reflects humility, recognition of wrongdoing and continued dependence on Allah’s mercy.

In Surah Nuh, verses 10–12, Prophet Noah tells his people to seek their Lord’s forgiveness. The passage then mentions abundant rain, wealth, children, gardens and rivers among Allah’s blessings.

فَقُلْتُ ٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفَّارًۭا

“And said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver.”

The following verses say that Allah can “supply you with wealth and children” and grant gardens and rivers. The complete passage is available in Quran 71:10–12.

These verses should not be reduced to a transactional promise that reciting istighfar automatically produces money. In Islam, rizq can include lawful income, health, knowledge, supportive relationships, time, security and contentment.

A widely shared narration states:

مَنْ لَزِمَ الاِسْتِغْفَارَ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مِنْ كُلِّ ضِيقٍ مَخْرَجًا وَمِنْ كُلِّ هَمٍّ فَرَجًا وَرَزَقَهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لاَ يَحْتَسِبُ

“If anyone continually asks pardon, Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress, and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide for him from where he did not reckon.”

Abu Dawud recorded it as Hadith 1518. The version listed by Sunnah.com carries a da’if, or weak, grading from Hadith scholar Al-Albani. Publishers should disclose that classification rather than presenting the narration as unquestionably authentic.

Its general message remains consistent with Quranic teachings on repentance, but it should not carry the same evidentiary weight as the authentic Bukhari narration.

Ultimately, istighfar doesn’t replace job searches, professional development, financial planning or fair employment policies.

It puts a spiritual spin on those efforts: correcting wrongdoing, renewing hope and seeking blessing in whatever Allah ﷻ provides.