مَّن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يُقْرِضُ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَـٰعِفَهُۥ لَهُۥ وَلَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ كَرِيمٌ 11
Translations
Who is it that would loan Allāh a goodly loan so He will multiply it for him and he will have a noble reward?
Transliteration
Man dhal-ladhee yuqridul-laha qardan hasanan fayudaa'ifahu lahu wa lahoo ajrun kareem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah uses the metaphor of lending to Allah to describe spending in His cause, emphasizing that voluntary charity is the noblest form of devotion. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that 'lending to Allah' means spending wealth for righteous purposes—supporting the needy, establishing Islam, or jihad—with the assurance that Allah will multiply the reward manifold and grant an honored recompense. The ayah demonstrates Allah's generosity and His appreciation for the believer's sacrifice, transforming material loss into spiritual gain.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Hadid, a Medinan chapter revealed during a period when the Muslim community faced financial pressures from warfare and social support obligations. The surah emphasizes the obligation of spending (infaq) in Allah's way, and this particular ayah serves as a powerful incentive for believers to contribute their wealth willingly and generously despite economic hardship.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best charity is when you give while you are in need' (related to themes of sacrifice). Additionally, Hadith Qudsi states: 'O son of Adam, spend and I shall spend on you' (Sahih Bukhari), directly reflecting the reciprocal generosity mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that giving in Allah's cause is not a loss but an investment with infinite returns, encouraging us to overcome material attachment and trust in Allah's promise of abundant reward. It reframes poverty and sacrifice as opportunities to demonstrate faith and receive honor both in this life and the Hereafter.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ ۙ وَٱلرَّسُولُ يَدْعُوكُمْ لِتُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِرَبِّكُمْ وَقَدْ أَخَذَ مِيثَـٰقَكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
And why do you not believe in Allāh while the Messenger invites you to believe in your Lord and He has taken your covenant, if you should [truly] be believers?
ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۚ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
Know that Allāh gives life to the earth after its lifelessness. We have made clear to you the signs; perhaps you will understand.
ءَامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَأَنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا جَعَلَكُم مُّسْتَخْلَفِينَ فِيهِ ۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ لَهُمْ أَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ
Believe in Allāh and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successive inheritors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.
هُوَ ٱلْأَوَّلُ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرُ وَٱلظَّـٰهِرُ وَٱلْبَاطِنُ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
He is the First and the Last, the Ascendant and the Intimate, and He is, of all things, Knowing.