can it be said that the apparent meaning of the word “loan,” when applied to Allah Most High, is that He is in need? It is well known that the servant needs good deeds for which he will be rewarded. Thus, if Allah Most High borrows from him something He keeps safe for him until He returns it when he needs it, would He not be doing him a kindness by borrowing from him? This does not preclude His being a borrower.

The third point: A person may borrow on someone else’s behalf as an act of enjoining what is right and extending generosity and kindness to both parties: to the borrower by meeting his need, and to the lender by enabling him to earn a reward. Nevertheless, the person borrowing on the other’s behalf guarantees the lender’s money and says, “Look only to me for repayment.” Thus, if Allah Most High borrows from some of His servants for others, providing for the borrower, rewarding the lender, and guaranteeing him repayment in the fullest measure, how can calling this a loan be contrary to the apparent meaning?

The fourth point: A person may borrow from his slave something he himself has given him. If he wished to take it back without borrowing it, Islamic law would permit him to do so. Yet he takes it as a loan out of kindness to him and gives it to someone who needs it, whether another slave or someone else. Allah, glorified be He, owns all created beings and their wealth, and He has given to them and allowed them such freedom to dispose of it as He has granted