Abu al-Dahdah (radhi’Allahu `anhu) was a companion of the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) who upon hearing the revelation of this verse below, decided to do something extraordinary:

“Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned.” [al-Baqarah: 245]

As mentioned in Tafsir al-Qurtubi, when Abu al-Dahdah’s heard this ayah, he rushed towards charity and gave his entire orchard of date palms to the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam).

When he went back to his house, he found his wife in the date-palm orchard and told her the news. But as was the brilliant artistic nature of theirs back then, he didn’t tell her the news just like that, no, he broke the news to her via some poetry! These are the lines he composed and recited instantly…

هداك ربي سبل الرشاد *** إلى سبيل الخير والسداد
بيني من الحائط بالوداد *** فقد مضى قرضا إلى التناد
أقرضته الله على اعتمادي *** بالطوع لا من ولا ارتداد
إلا رجاء الضعف في المعاد *** فارتحلي بالنفس والأولاد
والبر لا شك فخير زاد *** قدمه المرء إلى المعاد

“May my Lord guide you to the paths of guidance
The path of goodness and uprightness
Depart thee from the orchard in a loving manner
For it has now become a loan for the (Day of) Calling
I’ve lent it to Allah in full trust and confidence
Out of obedience, not as a favour nor in reversion
Only in the hope that it is multiplied in the Hereafter
So leave and depart it, both yourself and the children
For no doubt, righteousness is the best of provisions
That a person can put forth for his Afterlife.”

So she replied… and her reply was just as poetic 🙂

بشرك الله بخير وفرح *** مثلك أدى ما لديه ونصح
قد متع الله عيالي ومنح *** بالعجوة السوداء والزهو البلح
والعبد يسعى وله ما قد كدح *** طول الليالي وعليه ما اجترح

“May Allah bestow upon you goodness and happiness
It is the likes of you who give their possessions and advise well
Allah has indeed granted my children and bestowed upon them gifts
Of the Black ‘Ajwah dates and dates that are blooming
The slave of Allah races forth and for him is what he strives
In the lengthy nights, and upon him are what he commits.”

She then took the children by the hand, took out the dates that were in their mouths and sleeves and led them out of the garden.

What a beautiful husband and wife! He tells her news which may have been difficult to swallow (as it will impact their income etc) in a poetic and beautiful manner filled with reminders, and not only does she accept, but she responds in an even admirable way… 🙂