Mālik and those who interpret “assistance” as zakah, for their hypocrisy and withholding of zakah. According to those who understand “assistance” to mean lending household possessions, the warning concerns their hypocrisy and their refusal to lend to Muslims out of hatred for them. This is the more evident interpretation, because the hypocrites are disbelievers, in the lowest depths of the Fire. Zakah is not sought from people of this description, for Allah made it a means of purification for those from whom it is taken, saying, Mighty and Majestic:

“Take charity from their wealth to purify and cleanse them thereby” [al-Tawbah: 103].

Were it taken from the hypocrites, it would neither purify nor cleanse them. He then said, Mighty and Majestic:

“And invoke blessings upon them; indeed, your prayers are a source of comfort for them” [al-Tawbah: 103].

Thus, when believers brought him their zakah, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would invoke blessings upon them. He said, “O Allah, bless the family of Abū Awfā,” when Abū Awfā’s son brought his father’s charity. He did not invoke blessings upon the hypocrites. And Allah knows best.

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“When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, set out on his campaign against Hawāzin at Hunayn, he borrowed equipment and weapons from Safwān ibn Umayyah, having been told that he possessed them. He sent to him asking to borrow them. Safwān said, ‘Is it consistent with safe conduct to seize them by force?’ The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, replied, ‘If you wish to keep your equipment, keep it. But if you lend it to us, I shall be liable for it until it is returned to you.’ Safwān said, ‘There is no harm in that. I lend it to you, Muhammad.’ He then sent him one hundred coats of mail with their accompanying equipment, for Safwān possessed many weapons. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to him, ‘Spare us the task of transporting them,’ so Safwān transported them for him. It is also reported that he asked him, ‘Is this a loan for which you are liable, or a loan to be returned?’ The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, replied, ‘Rather, a loan for which I am liable and which is to be returned.’”

In some reports, he said, “Rather, a loan to be returned.” It is also reported that he, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The borrower bears no liability.” And it is reported that he, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Upon