Assalaamu alaykum. I heard that sins decrease one's provision. I was wondering why so many evil people are rich then.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

It has been narrated on the authority of Thawbaan that the Prophet said, "Nothing repels fate except supplication and nothing increases one’s life span except righteousness; and a man may be deprived of provision by a sin that he commits." [Ahmad and Ibn Maajah - Ibn Hibbaan and Al-Haakim graded it saheeh (sound)] Al-Booseeri said in his book Az-Zawaa'id that its chain of narration is hasan (good) and added, "I asked Shaykh Abu Al-Fadhl Al-ʻIraaqi about this hadeeth, and he declared it hasan."

Al-Albaani classified the chain of narration of the version that has the following part, "a man may be deprived of provision by a sin that he commits," as dha'eef (weak). Even if we assumed that the chain of narration of this version is authentic, then this does not contradict what we observe; that many evildoers and sinners have wealth and enjoy well-being in the worldly life. However, the concept of provision in Islam is not restricted to wealth and worldly pleasures. Useful knowledge is provision, a reassured heart is provision, success in carrying out good deeds is provision, and being endowed with a long life is provision. Sins may prevent these forms of provision. As-Sanʻaani wrote:

"A form of provision that sins may prevent is knowledge. Verily, knowledge is a light that Allaah throws into the heart, and sin extinguishes that light, as stated in the Quran in relation to the punishment of a group of the Children of Israel: Allaah, The Exalted, says (what means): {...and they forgot a portion of that of which they were reminded...} [Quran 5:13] The verse stated that they were caused to forget what they used to know. Allaah, The Exalted, also says (what means): {And We will turn away their hearts and their eyes just as they refused to believe in it the first time...} [Quran 6:110] They were deprived of the understanding of the divine revelation because of their disbelief ... A form of provision that sins may prevent is carrying out good deeds. It is enough punishment for the sinner to be deprived of carrying out good deeds. It can be likened to someone who gets sick for a long period of time because of a bad meal that he had, denying him the enjoyment of many good meals that are more delicious. Another form of provision that sins may prevent is having a long blessed life; the sinner may be punished with having a short life void of blessing. The hadeeth advised that righteousness is rewarded with prolonging one's term of life. Many other ahaadeeth have been reported to the same effect, indicating that engaging in evildoing is punished by having a short life in this world." [Sharh Al-Jaamiʻ As-Sagheer]

For more benefit, please refer to fatwa 129811.

Some scholars interpreted the word "provision " in the hadeeth about deprivation of provision because of sins as provision pertaining to the Hereafter. Other scholars maintained that provision in this hadeeth refers to that granted to the Muslims in particular and not the disbelievers. Al-Qaari wrote:

"Provision in this hadeeth has two meanings: firstly, it means the rewards in the Hereafter, and secondly it is the worldly rewards such as wealth, health, well-being, and the like. This view gives rise to a question; how come we see that the disbelievers and evildoers are granted greater wealth and well-being than the righteous? The answer to this is that the hadeeth specifically refers to the Muslim, whom Allaah wills to elevate his rank in the Hereafter so He afflicts him with punishment for his sin in the worldly life." [Sharh Mishkaat Al-Masabeeh]

Do not forget, dear Brother, that Allaah, The Exalted, informed us in His Book that the blessings that He bestows upon the disbelievers are means to lead them gradually to their destruction. Adhwaa' Al-Bayaan reads:

"Allaah, The Exalted, underlined that the blessings that He confers upon the disbelievers are not an indication of honoring them in the slightest; rather, they serve as means to lead them to their own destruction progressively. Allaah, The Exalted, says (what means):

- {So leave Me (O Muhammad) with (the matter of) whoever denies the Quran. We will progressively lead them (to punishment) from where they do not know. And I will give them time. Indeed, My plan is firm.] [Quran 68:44-45]

- {So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded, We opened to them the doors of every (good) thing until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were (then) in despair. So the people that committed wrong were eliminated. And praise to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds.} [Quran 6:44-45]

- {Then We exchanged in place of the bad (condition), good, until they increased (and prospered) and said, "Our fathers (also) were touched with hardship and ease." So We seized them suddenly while they did not perceive.} [Quran 7:95]

- {Say, "Whoever is in error - let the Most Merciful extend for him an extension (in wealth and time)...} [Quran 19:75] (According to the most correct interpretation of the verse.)

- {And let not those who disbelieve ever think that (because) We extend their time (of enjoyment) it is better for them. We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment.} [Quran 3:178]

- {...so I prolonged enjoyment for the disbelievers; then I seized them, and how (terrible) was My reproach.} [Quran 22:44]"

Allaah knows best.