Who is he that will lend God a loan that is good and He will multiply it for him manifoldḍ The loan is called qarḌ because one “cuts off ” yaqṬaʿu something from one's wealth in order to give it to a borrower. When the almsgiver “cuts” alms ṣadaqa from his wealth his gift is called a qarḌ. The qarḌ then is the amount cut off. But here the term is being used in a way that preserves the hearts of the lovers inasmuch as [God] uses it to speak directly to you on the subject of almsgiving. It is said that the verse suggests the importance of the wealthy since He questioned them about the loan but the rank of the poor is even more important in this [verse] because He asked about the loan on their behalf. [God] might ask for the loan from anyone but He did not ask it for the sake of just anyone. In the tradition: “The Messenger of God ﷺ died while his coat of mail had been pawned with Abū Shaḥma the Jew for barley which he had taken to feed his family.” Look from whom he borrowed and for the sake of whom he borrowed! It is said that the good loan is one for which you do not look for a reward and do not seek recompense. It is said that the good loan is not given in a heedless way but rather from witnessing [what is needed]. It is said that the good loan according to religious scholars is given only when one has the means. [But] according to the most respected al-akābir [the good loan] is the condition of preferring others [to one's self] in giving without any hesitation. It is said that the good loan according to the religious scholars is 2.5 percent. According to the folk it is giving everything generously including one's spirit. God straitens yaqbiḌ and enlarges yabsuṬ; and to Him you shall be returned. [God] takes hold yaqbiḌ of the alms from the rich with the grasp qabḌ of His acceptance and opens yabsuṬ for them the largesse basṬ of His compensation. It is said that He straitens yaqbiḌ the provision that is “He restricts” yuḌayyiqu; and He enlarges the provision that is “He expands” yuwassiʿu.
