• Sometimes the motive is hatred of Islam and its people.
• At other times, it is the desire to secure a benefit or the fear of harm befalling the one providing such support.

It is well known that someone who loves Allah, His Messenger, and His religion, but is driven by some ulterior purpose to assist some disbelievers against some Muslims, is not equal to someone who hates Islam and its people.

There is no scriptural text using the wording “support” or “assistance” that indicates that any such assistance or support necessarily renders whoever provides it to any disbeliever a disbeliever himself.

A spy who spies on Muslims—even if his execution is obligatory as a punishment—does not become an apostate merely by spying. Nothing demonstrates this more clearly than the account of Hātib ibn Abī Baltaʿah, may Allah be pleased with him. He sent word to Quraysh informing them that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was marching towards them. When Allah informed His Prophet of what Hātib had done and of the woman carrying the letter, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, reproached Hātib for this. Hātib explained that his sole motive was the desire to earn a favour with Quraysh, in return for which they would protect his family and property. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, accepted his explanation, did not order him to renew his Islam, and mentioned