Is there anyone who will make Allah a generous loan so that He can multiply it for him many times over? Allah both restricts and expands. And you will be returned to Him. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:245)
Allah, the sole Owner of everything, created all beings and furnished Earth with blessings that will meet their needs. All forms of wealth actually belong to Him, for He is its sole owner. In this world, Allah does not grant wealth to everyone. Yet, both the well-off and the poor need to remember that Allah grants and owns everything.
Allah tests those people to whom He grants wealth by how they use this blessing, and expects them to be thankful. Meanwhile, He restricts the wealth of others as a test of their gratefulness to Him. Consequently, whatever people lack or possess are not gains for them; rather, they are a test from Allah to see whether they want the life of this world or the next.
So fear [and be aware] of Allah, as much as you are able to. Listen, obey, and spend for your own benefit. It is the people who are safe-guarded from the avarice of their own selves who are successful. If you make a generous loan to Allah, He will multiply it for you and forgive you… (Surat at-Taghabun, 64:16-17)
Allah also grants many spiritual blessings in this worldly life. When He wills, He may test people through the imperfections related to these blessings by creating various tests. On the other hand, due to their insistence upon unbelief, Allah may repay unbelievers in this world by willing them to experience trouble and anxiety in their hearts. In such a situation, people have to realize that Allah saves them from all forms of trouble and hardship. Just as He restricts, He also expands ( al-Basit ). To the hearts of His sincere servants who only turn to Him for help, Allah gives serenity, peace, and a feeling of relief. He supports them with His help, love, and mercy, and also alleviates their tasks. In the Qur'an, Allah reminds us that all hearts find peace only in the remembrance of our Lord, as follows:
Those who have faith and whose hearts find peace in the remembrance of Allah. Only in the remembrance of Allah can the heart find peace. (Surat ar-Ra‘d, 13:28)
