In a Hadīth narrated in "Sahīh Al-Bukhāri Collection", Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned that: a man from the Children of Israel requested someone from the Children of Israel to lend him one thousand Dinars. He said, "Bring witnesses to me so that I may call them to witness." He replied: "Allah is Sufficient as a witness." He said: "Bring me a guarantor." He replied: "Allah is Sufficient as a guarantor." He said: "You have spoken the truth." He lent him the money for a certain period. He went across the sea. When he finished his job, he searched for a ship to reach the other in time to repay the debt, but he could not find any. So, he took a piece of wood and made a hole, inserted one thousand Dinars and a letter from him to the lender, and then firmly closed the hole. He took the piece of wood to the sea and said: "O Allah, You know that I took a loan of one thousand Dinars from so-and-so. He demanded a guarantor from me, and I told him that Allah is Sufficient as a guarantor, and he was content with You. And he demanded a witness from me, and I told him that Allah is Sufficient as a witness, and he was content with You. Indeed, I tried hard to find a ship to give him his money, but I could not find any. So, I entrust this money to You." He threw the piece of wood into the sea till it went far into it, and then he went away. Meanwhile, he started searching for a ship to reach his land. One day, the lender came out to see whether a ship had arrived bringing his money, when all of a sudden, he saw the piece of wood containing the money. He took it home to use it as firewood. When he sawed it, he found the cash and the letter. Shortly after that, the debtor came, bringing one thousand Dinars to him, and he said: "By Allah, I had been trying hard to find a boat so that I could send your money to you, but I failed to find one before the one I have come by." He asked: "Have you sent something to me?" He replied: "I told you I could not find a boat other than the one I have come by." He said: "Allah has delivered the money you sent in the piece of wood on your behalf. So, you may keep your one thousand Dinars and depart while being rightly guided." {having made Allah your guarantor.} [Surat an-Nahl: 91]
In the Arabic language, Al-Kafīl means: guarantor, sustainer.
Our Lord, Glorified be He, is the One Who manages the affairs of all creation, guarantees their livelihoods and sustenance, benefits and removes harm from them.
Guarantee is of two types:
General guarantee:
It applies to all creation in the heavens and the earth by disposing of their affairs, protecting, preserving, helping, and providing them with all kinds of sustenance and food.
Anyone in need of sustenance cannot provide sustenance for himself. Rather, Allah Almighty provides for all humankind and the animals and the embryos in the wombs of their mothers; birds set out hungry in the morning and return satiated in the evening; and the vermin, insects, and predatory beasts in the wilderness.
I managed your affair when
you were an embryo in your mother's womb
and I made her affectionate toward you
and she gave you her hugs
We protect you from what
causes you distress or grief
So, implore us as you rise
and We will hold you by the hand in what concerns you
Specific guarantee:
It pertains to His close servants who are pleased with Him as their Guarantor in all their matters and affairs, worldly and Shar‘i, and outward and inward.
He, Exalted be He, is as they think Him to be. He encompasses them in His care and guarantees they are unassailable and invulnerable.
He suffices you against all that distresses you...
Our Lord, Glorified be He, is Al-Kafīl, and He is Capable of doing all things. He protects and preserves you and turns your problems into solutions, all your pains into well-being, all your dreams into reality, all your fear into security, and all your tears into smiles. So, relieve your soul from its weakness, anxiety, and lethargy and entrust it to the Sufficient Guarantor.
I disown my power, capability, and strength And I am in utmost need of my Lord
If a person is struck with disasters and surrounded by adversities, all doors are closed before him, the land becomes narrow, his hardship grows more severe, and he finds no refuge or resort among the created beings.
Here, the distressed person rushes to Allah and seeks His help; all beings turn to Him for refuge, all creatures beg of Him, all tongues mention His name, all hearts praise Him, the faithful put their trust in Him, and those conducting Jihad rely upon Him, taking Him as a Guarantor. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is authentically reported to have said: "Allah guarantees for the one who goes out to fight in His way, going out solely for Jihad in His way and belief in His words, that He will admit him to Paradise or send him back to his home from where he set out with what he earned of reward or booty." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
Everyone wishes to be included in the specific guarantee of Allah, for this is the status of the prophets and the righteous people who sincerely rely upon Allah and trust Him; they realized that they will attain bliss in this world and the Hereafter if Allah guarantees them as He guarantees His beloved servants.
Thereupon, their hunger and thirst turn into satisfaction, their sleeplessness turns into sleep, and their illness turns into wellness; and their prisoners are released, their absent ones come back, and their distresses are relieved. This is because they trusted their Lord and took Him as a Guarantor and Disposer of affairs, and what an excellent Protector and an excellent Helper!
Why should we not be totally devoted to Him?! Why should we not rely upon Him concerning our issues of importance and needs?! Indeed, we are in utmost need of His power and giving. We have no power except through His power and help, and we have no strength to avoid sins and ward off the evils of our souls except through Him. We were created weak; we were born helpless, and we will die weak. {for man was created weak.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 28]
The contract with Allah..
Our Lord, Al-Kafīl, Glorified be He, is: Appreciative, Beautiful, Merciful, Self-Sufficient, and Praiseworthy; He gives abundant reward and loves His merciful servants, and He loves to see you humble and merciful toward His servants and that you relieve the distress of your brothers and remove their sadness. Listen to what the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said in a Hadīth in "Sahīh Al-Bukhāri Collection": "The one who looks after an orphan, and I will be like this in Paradise," he said, pointing with his middle and index fingers.
And here is Abu Qatādah; he pursued a debtor owing him money and hid from him. Then, he found him. Thereupon, he said: I am insolvent. He asked: By Allah?! He replied: By Allah!
He said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Whoever is pleased to be saved by Allah from the anguish of the Day of Judgment, let him give an insolvent respite or grant him remission." [Narrated by Muslim]
Also, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is authentically reported to have said: "Whoever relieves a hardship of a believer in this world, Allah will relieve one of his hardships on the Day of Judgment. Whoever makes things easy for a hard-pressed person, Allah will make things easy for him in this world and the Hereafter." [Narrated by Muslim]
Those who are lenient will find bliss And foolishness is characterised by harshness and lapses Benevolence for Allah's sake leads to the best outcome
And Allah is a peerless Supporter of benevolence The best of people in words are their best in deeds For speech is not appropriate unless deeds are correct.
O Allah, guarantee us with Your care and admit us into Your Paradise!