How do we respond to the misconception: "Why should we strive for sustenance if it is already preordained?"

The majority of jurists and the realized Sufis have concluded that reliance on Allah does not contradict striving and taking means. Imam Ahmad was asked about a man who sat in his house or the mosque and said, "I will do nothing until my provision comes to me." He replied, "This is a man ignorant of knowledge." Among the proofs for the legitimacy of taking means is the Almighty's saying: "So walk among its slopes and eat of His provision," and the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Tie it and then rely [on Allah]."