The restriction of collateral (rahn) to situations of travel does not mean that no collateral may be taken while one is resident; it is mentioned in connection with travel only because the need for it is greater there, since a scribe is often unavailable.

The verse also establishes legal guardianship over those who are unable to manage their own affairs—whether through insanity, minority, or prodigality—by virtue of Allah’s words: “If the one upon whom the obligation rests is feeble-minded, weak, or unable to dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate justly” (al-Baqarah 2:282). In financial dealings the guardian stands in the place of a mature, prudent owner and must handle their assets in whatever manner is most beneficial. Allah says: “Do not approach the property of the orphan except in a way that is best” (al-Anʿām 6:152). Their wealth is not to be handed over to them (1) until they attain sound judgment, a matter to be verified through testing and experience, as He states: “Test the orphans until, when they reach marriageable age, if you perceive in them sound judgment, then entrust their property to them” (al-Nisāʾ 4:6).

From His statement, “Let neither scribe nor witness be harmed” (al-Baqarah 2:282), we learn:
• Anyone who performs an act of kindness should complete and perfect it by facilitating matters and avoiding any harm.
• Benefactors are entitled to have their good deeds acknowledged; people should thank them and not burden them with hardship or injury—both in recompense for their benevolence and to encourage further acts of kindness.

Scholars have inferred from Allah’s words, “Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will teach you” (al-Baqarah 2:282), that God-consciousness is a means to acquiring knowledge, just as knowledge itself leads to piety. Even clearer is His saying: “O you who believe, if you are mindful of Allah, He will grant you a criterion” (al-Anfāl 8:29)—that is, knowledge by which you distinguish truth from falsehood and grasp the realities you need to know.