Encounters during the Mi'raj: A Loan is Better Than Charity

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

During the night of the Mi’raj, the Prophet (s.a.w.) was Raised up to the Lote Tree of the Farthest Limit.  Then the Prophet (s.a.w.) was taken to al-Kawtsar and entered Paradise.  Lo and behold!  It contains what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor human mind ever imagined.  On its gate, he saw written: 

asw-Swaadaqatu bi‘ashrin amtsaalihaa,

Wa al-qardhu bi tsamaaniyati ‘ashara 

Charity is repaid tenfold,

And a loan eighteenfold. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) asked, “O Jibril, how can the loan be more meritorious than charity?” 

He replied, “Because one asking for charity may still have some need left, while the borrower does not borrow except his need is fulfilled.”