Surah At-Taghabun (64): Verses 17-18

Verse 17: { إِن تَقْرِضُوا اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا }

Know that His saying: { If you lend to Allah a goodly loan } means, if you spend in obedience to Allah, drawing near to Him.

He will reward you with multiplication because He is:

• Shakūr (Grateful): He loves those who draw near to His presence.
• Halīm (Forbearing): He does not hasten punishment.
• Ghafūr (Forgiving): He forgives you.

The Qard al-Hasan (goodly loan) according to some scholars is giving charity from lawful earnings. It is also said that it is giving charity willingly from one's heart. A loan is something for which a return is hoped, such as the reward for spending in the cause of Allah.

Al-Razi mentions in Al-Kashshāf that mentioning the term "loan" is a form of gentle solicitation (to encourage giving).

Verse 17 (Cont.): { يُضَاعِفْهُ لَكُمْ }

{ He will multiply it for you } means He will record for the single good deed tenfold, seven hundredfold, or even more, as He wills of increase. (A variant reading is Yuḍa'ifhu).

Verse 17 (Cont.): { وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ }

{ And forgive you }:

• Shakūr (Grateful) is used metaphorically, meaning He will deal with you as one who is extremely grateful does, by giving immense reward.
• Halīm (Forbearing) means He will deal with you as one who shows forbearance to the wrongdoer does, by not hastening punishment upon you despite the abundance of your sins.

Verse 17 (Cont.): { وَاللَّهُ شَكُورٌ حَلِيمٌ }

(Covered above in relation to the reward and forbearance).

Verse 18: { عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ }

Now, one might ask: These actions (rewarding, forgiving) require Knowledge and Power. Allah Almighty mentioned Knowledge ({ 'Ālim al-Ghayb } - Knower of the unseen) but omitted Power.

We respond: His saying { Al-'Azīz } (The Mighty) indicates Power, as 'Azza means to overcome or prevail. And { Al-Hakīm } (The Wise) indicates Wisdom.

Alternatively:

• Al-'Azīz is He whom nothing can overpower.
• Al-Hakīm is He whom error cannot reach in His planning and decree.

Thus, Allah Almighty is Knower, Powerful, and Wise. Glorified be His praise, and great be His majesty. Allah knows best what is correct.

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the Master of the Messengers and the Seal of the Prophets, our Master Muhammad, and his family, and grant him abundant peace.