How sound is the statement: "Allah takes as much as He gives, compensates as much as He withholds, and facilitates as much as He makes difficult"?

The phrase "What Allah takes, He only takes to give" carries three meanings:

1. The first meaning: That it intends the literal opposite, meaning that if Allah takes a blessing, He compensates with something equivalent to it. This is not entirely correct, as the removal of blessings is a trial, and it may be a punishment for disobedience. The compensation does not necessarily have to be equivalent to what was lost, for Allah does what He wills, and He is the doer of what He intends.

2. The second meaning: That it is said as a form of solace to the afflicted, and to show the immense bounty and generosity of Allah, and that His blessings are continuous. This meaning is correct and a Muslim is obligated to believe in it.

3. The third meaning: That it does not intend the literal opposite, but rather aims to show the immense generosity of Allah and that His blessings are abundant and continuous, and that hardships are insignificant compared to the countless blessings. This is a praiseworthy meaning, and its proponent is promised favor, based on Allah's saying: (And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]").