“Allah has certainly heard the statement of those who said, ‘Allah is poor, while we are rich.’ We will record what they said and their killing of the prophets without right, and We shall say, ‘Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire.’” (181)

Regarding His words, “Allah has certainly heard the statement of those who said, ‘Allah is poor, while we are rich,’” al-Hasan and Mujahid said: When the verse was revealed, “Who will lend Allah a goodly loan?” the Jews said, “Allah is poor: He has borrowed from us, while we are rich.” Al-Hasan mentioned that the one who made this statement was Huyayy ibn Akhtab. (1)

Ikrimah, al-Suddi, Muqatil, and Muhammad ibn Ishaq said: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, sent Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, with a letter to the Jews of Banu Qaynuqa, inviting them to Islam, to establish the prayer, to give zakah, and to lend Allah a goodly loan. One day, Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, entered their house of study and found many Jews gathered around one of their men, called Phinehas ibn Azura, who was one of their scholars. Another rabbi, called Ashya, was with him.

Abu Bakr said to Phinehas, “Fear Allah and accept Islam. By Allah, you certainly know that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, who has come to you with the truth from Allah. You find him written in the Torah that is with you. So believe, affirm the truth, and lend Allah a goodly loan; He will admit you into Paradise and multiply your reward.”

Phinehas said, “Abu Bakr, do you claim that our Lord borrows our wealth? Yet only a poor person borrows from a wealthy one. If what you say is true, then Allah is indeed poor and we are rich. He forbids you usury, yet gives it to us. Had He been rich, He would not have given us usury.”

Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, became angry and struck Phinehas forcefully in the face. He said, “By Him in whose hand is my soul, were it not for the covenant between us and you, I would strike off your neck, enemy of Allah!” Phinehas then went to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and said, “Muhammad, look at what your companion has done to me.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, “What prompted you to do what you did?”