render the trusts to their owners.” ⦗Quran 4:58⦘

This verse establishes the obligation to return every trust, and a loan-for-use is one such trust.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The hand is liable for whatever it takes until it gives it back,” and he also said, “Return the trust to the one who entrusted you.”

These texts oblige a person to safeguard whatever has been placed in his care and to restore it to its owner unharmed. A borrowed article is included in this general ruling, for the borrower is merely a trustee. He is permitted to benefit from it only within the limits of customary usage. He may not overwork it in a way that leads to its ruin, nor employ it for a purpose for which it is unsuited, for the owner did not permit that. Allah, exalted is He, says: “Is there any reward for good other than good?” ⦗Quran 55:60⦘

If the borrower uses the item for a purpose other than that for which it was lent and it is damaged or destroyed, he must compensate the owner, in accordance with the Prophet’s statement, “The hand is liable for whatever it takes until it gives it back,” recorded by the Five and declared sound by al-Hakim. The wording shows that whoever takes possession of another’s property remains responsible for it until it reaches its owner—or someone acting on the owner’s behalf.

Conversely, if the item perishes while being used in the customary, permitted manner, the borrower bears no liability, because the lender authorized that usage, and any loss arising from an authorized act is not subject to indemnity.