How do we reconcile the fact that Allah provides for whomever He wills without measure—as stated in Surat Al Imran concerning Maryam (peace be upon her)—with the necessity of a person striving for provision?

The fundamental principle is that sustenance depends on means and effort, as Allah the Almighty says: ﴿It is He who made the earth subservient to you, so walk among its regions and eat from His provision; and to Him is the resurrection.﴾ (Al-Mulk/15). The prophetic hadith indicates that birds strive for their sustenance (they leave in the morning with empty stomachs and return full), which confirms that employing means does not contradict reliance on Allah.

Allah may provide for some of His servants without an apparent cause, as an honor to them, just as it happened to Mary (peace be upon her), who found an unaccustomed provision, though she was not a prophet. Supplication is considered among the legitimate means, but a servant should not abandon religious and worldly means relying solely on supplication.