2. [al-Baqara, Medina 87 ]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

مَّن ذَا الَّذِي يُقْرِضُ اللّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا ...

2: 245. Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful loan,

C276. Spending in the cause of Allah is called metaphorically "a beautiful loan".

It is excellent in many ways:

- it shows a beautiful spirit of self-denial;

- in other loans there may be a doubt as to the safety of your capital or any return thereon; here you give in the Lord of All, in Whose hands are the keys of want or plenty;

giving you may have manifold blessings, and withholding you may even lose what you have.

If we remember that our goal is Allah, can we turn away from His cause?

... فَيُضَاعِفَهُ لَهُ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَةً ...

which Allah will double unto his credit and multiply many times?

... وَاللّهُ يَقْبِضُ وَيَبْسُطُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿٢٤٥﴾

It is Allah that giveth (you) want or plenty, and to Him shall be your return.

Other Versions:

2: 245

Asad Who is it that will offer up unto God a goodly loan [note 234], which He will amply reply, with manifold increase? For, God takes away, and He gives abundantly; and it is unto Him that you shall be brought back .

Pickthall Who is it that will lend unto Allah a goodly loan, so that He may give it increase manifold? Allah straiteneth and enlargeth. Unto Him ye will return.

Transliteration Man zallazi yuqridulla_ha qardan hasanan fa yuda_'ifahu_ lahu_ ad'a_fan kasirah(tan), walla_hu yaqbidu wa yabsut(u), wa ilaihi turja'u_n(a).

[ Asad’s note 234 – I.e., by sacrificing one’s life in, or devoting it to, His cause.]

[ Ali’s note - 276 Spending in the cause of God is called metaphorically "a beautiful loan". It is excellent in many ways: (1) it shows a beautiful spirit of self-denial; (2) in other loans there may be a doubt as to the safety of your capital or any return thereon; here you give in the Lord of All, in Whose hands are the keys of want or plenty; giving you may have manifold blessings, and withholding you may even lose what you have. If we remember that our goal is God, can we turn away from His cause? (2.245) ]