قوت

Core meaning

The ration that keeps alive: what is measured and apportioned for sustenance, and the One who guarantees it.

Uses

1. أَقْوَٰت → "its rations" : the resources God has measured and determined in the earth.

   • «وَقَدَّرَ فِيهَآ أَقْوَٰتَهَا فِىٓ أَرْبَعَةِ أَيَّامٍۢ سَوَآءًۭ» — "and determined its rations in it, in four equal days" (41:10)

2. مُقِيت → "steward" : the One who ensures each thing its ration and answers for it.

   • «وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ مُّقِيتًۭا» — "God is, over all things, a steward" (4:85)

Evidence from the text

In 41:10 the word follows the setting in place of the earth: anchors, a blessing, then the rations measured and determined "in four equal days" (41:10). The ration is a fixed share, not an abundance without measure.

In 4:85, مُقِيت closes a verse on intercession: whoever intercedes with a good intercession will have a portion of it, whoever intercedes with a bad one will bear a share of responsibility. The One who ensures each thing its ration is also the One who sets each one's share: the translation says "steward".

Distinctions

• رزق — the provision given, whereas قوت names the measured ration
• قدر — measure, by which the ration is fixed (41:10)