If provision is from Allah why do we need to go out and seek for wealth and not sit for the wealth to come to us?

 If provision is from Allah why do we need to go out and seek for wealth and not sit for the wealth to come to us? 

The basic principle regarding provision (rizq) and other matters is based on means and taking measures, so provision cannot be obtained except through effort, as Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“It is He who made the earth tame for you - so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision - and to Him is the resurrection”

[al-Mulk 67:15].

Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his Tafseer (8/180):

Ibn ‘Abbaas, Mujaahid, Qataadah, and as-Saddi said: “Its slopes” means its different regions, mountain paths and areas.

Ibn ‘Abbaas and Qataadah said: “its slopes” means its mountains. End quote.

Ahmad (370), at-Tirmidhi (2344) and Ibn Maajah (4146) narrated that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “If you were to put your trust in Allah as you should, you would be given provision like the birds: they go out hungry in the morning and come back with full bellies in the evening.”

Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani and Shu‘ayb al-Arna’oot.

The hadith clearly states that the birds go out in the morning, at the beginning of the day, looking for food. This refers to making effort and taking measure to seek provision, even though the hadith affirms the importance of putting one’s trust in Allah [tawakkul] and explaining the right way to do so. Thus it indicates that taking appropriate measures and means is not contrary to putting one’s trust in Allah; rather it is part of perfecting that trust in Him.

This is the general principle that Allah has prescribed for His slaves, that they should seek their objectives by taking measures through putting their trust in Allah and making efforts. However, Allah may bring about something extraordinary, and grant provision to one of His slaves without any measures or effort on the part of that person, as a miracle for a Prophet or by way of honouring (karaamah) one of His close friends. This is what happened to Maryam (peace be upon her); Allah granted her provision without any apparent physical measures, by way of honouring her, because she was not a prophetess, according to the majority of scholars.

Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, ‘O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?’ She said, ‘It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account.’

At that, Zechariah called upon his Lord, saying, ‘My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication’”

[al ‘Imraan 3:37-38].

Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

When Zakariyya entered upon her, he would find winter fruits with her in the summer, and summer fruits with her in the winter.

He said: O Maryam, from where is this coming to you?

She said: It is from Allah.

At that point, Zakariyya began to hope for a son and said: The One Who gives her this is able to bless me with a son. End quote.

Al-Baghawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his Tafseer (2/32):