مَّن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يُقْرِضُ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَـٰعِفَهُۥ لَهُۥٓ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَةً ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَقْبِضُ وَيَبْصُۜطُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ 245
Translations
Who is it that would loan Allāh a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allāh who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned.
Transliteration
Man dha alladhi yuqridu Allaha qardan hasanan fayudaAAifahu lahu adAAafan kathirah. Wa Allahu yaqbidu wayabsut wa ilayhi turjaAAun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents the metaphor of lending to Allah (qard al-hasan) as an investment in charity and good deeds, which Allah multiplies manifold in return. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that this refers to spending in the way of Allah—whether in charity, supporting the needy, or other righteous causes—which Allah promises to reward abundantly on the Day of Judgment. The ayah emphasizes Allah's complete sovereignty over all provision (qabd and bast) and reminds humanity that ultimately all return to Him for final judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan period of Surah Al-Baqarah, which addresses the Muslim community's practical and spiritual needs. It comes within a section discussing financial obligations and charitable giving, encouraging the early Muslim community to invest their wealth in Allah's cause despite economic challenges they faced.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet gives, and the best loan is that which is given with good intention.' (Related themes in Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Also relevant: 'Who will lend to Allah a good loan?' (Sahih Bukhari 2389, where the Prophet uses this Quranic metaphor to encourage charity).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that generosity and charitable giving are not losses but investments with infinite returns guaranteed by Allah, transforming our relationship with wealth from possession to stewardship. It encourages a mindset of trusting in Allah's abundance rather than hoarding, knowing that true security comes from His promise, not material accumulation.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُبْطِلُوا۟ صَدَقَـٰتِكُم بِٱلْمَنِّ وَٱلْأَذَىٰ كَٱلَّذِى يُنفِقُ مَالَهُۥ رِئَآءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۖ فَمَثَلُهُۥ كَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَيْهِ تُرَابٌ فَأَصَابَهُۥ وَابِلٌ فَتَرَكَهُۥ صَلْدًا ۖ لَّا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders [of it] or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allāh and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they have earned. And Allāh does not guide the disbelieving people.
وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱرْكَعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ
And establish prayer and give zakāh and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].
فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُم مَّنَـٰسِكَكُمْ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَذِكْرِكُمْ ءَابَآءَكُمْ أَوْ أَشَدَّ ذِكْرًا ۗ فَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَـٰقٍ
And when you have completed your rites, remember Allāh like your [previous] remembrance of your fathers or with [much] greater remembrance. And among the people is he who says, "Our Lord, give us in this world," and he will have in the Hereafter no share.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful.