Hadith #8657

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ أقْرَضَ اللّهَ جَزاهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who gives a loan to Allah is recompensed by Him.

Let us delve into the significance of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (aqradha) "أقْرَضَ" in this Hadith means to lend or give a loan. When we lend something to someone, we expect it to be returned to us. However, when we lend to Allah, the repayment is not in the same material form. It is a spiritual and eternal reward that Allah grants to the one who gives a loan to Him.

This concept of lending to Allah is mentioned in the Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 245, where Allah says, (Quran 2:245)

Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned.

Here, Allah encourages the believers to lend Him a goodly loan, which refers to spending in His cause, whether it be in charity, helping the needy, or supporting the community. Allah promises to multiply the reward for such acts of generosity and blesses the giver with abundance.

The word (jazāhu) "جَزَاهُ" in the Hadith means recompense or reward. It signifies that Allah, out of His infinite mercy and generosity, will reward the one who gives a loan to Him. This reward is not limited to this world but extends to the Hereafter, where it will be multiplied manifold.

In the Quran, Allah emphasizes the concept of reward for good deeds in numerous verses. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 286, Allah says, (Quran 2:286)

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear...

This verse assures us that Allah is just and will reward each individual according to their capabilities and efforts.

When we give a loan to Allah by spending in His cause, we are demonstrating our trust in Him and our willingness to sacrifice for His sake. This act of generosity not only benefits the recipient but also purifies our own souls and strengthens our faith. It is a means of seeking closeness to Allah and attaining His pleasure.

Moreover, when we lend to Allah, we are investing in the betterment of society and contributing to the welfare of others. This act of selflessness aligns with the teachings of the Quran, where Allah repeatedly emphasizes the importance of helping those in need. For example, in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 18, Allah says, (Quran 57:18)

Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.

The consequences of giving a loan to Allah are not limited to the material realm. It has a profound impact on our spiritual growth and development. By engaging in acts of charity and lending to Allah, we cultivate qualities such as compassion, empathy, and selflessness. These virtues shape our character and bring us closer to the teachings of Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of giving a loan to Allah by engaging in acts of charity and spending in His cause. It reminds us that our generosity will be rewarded by Allah, both in this world and the Hereafter. Let us strive to embody the spirit of this Hadith by being selfless and compassionate, and by seeking opportunities to lend to Allah through our actions. May Allah bless us all with the ability to give generously and may He accept our efforts.