What is the difference between the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) borrowing armor from Safwan and Islamic states purchasing weapons from disbelievers?

The questioner : Please allow me, my Shaykh. My Shaykh, what is the difference now between the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asking Safwan for weapons and purchasing weapons from disbelievers now? What is the difference, my Shaykh?

The Shaykh : There is a great difference, my brother. This is a weapon he requested from a disbeliever, and first, he was an individual.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : An individual, and second, he was confident in him. Then, when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) asked him, he was stronger than him. Today, the situation is completely reversed. The Muslims, their rulers, let alone those below them, are weaker than their enemies from whom they import weapons. So there is a vast difference between this and that!

The questioner : ... My Shaykh, I think the hadith our scholars in Saudi Arabia mentioned is about how we are now seeking aid from disbelievers?

The Shaykh: Allahu Akbar.

The questioner : ... Stronger than the first.

The Shaykh : No, that is not it. This was part of our argument that this seeking of aid is not permissible.

The questioner: All right.

The Shaykh: Yes.