Do books of knowledge get lent out?
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The Shaykh : What is your opinion regarding the book? Do we say it is like the vessel (ma'un) or not? A person has a book, and a student of knowledge comes to him and says, "Lend me this book, may Allah reward you with good, so I can read in it and return it to you," but he refuses him. Does this fall under the verse or not? Yes, it falls under the verse, because if withholding the vessel for physical food, which is the ma'un in which food is placed, is condemned, then withholding the food of the soul is all the more so.
Now, a man comes to you and says, "Lend me the mushaf; I want to read, and I do not have a mushaf. Lend me the mushaf." Is it obligatory for you to lend it to him? Yes, it is obligatory for you to do so. But if you fear that he will damage it, are you permitted to withhold it? Yes.
Likewise, if you fear that he will write marginal notes or footnotes on it, because some students of knowledge, may Allah protect them, will lend you the book and then return it to you, and there it is.
Now, a man comes to you and says, "Lend me the mushaf; I want to read, and I do not have a mushaf. Lend me the mushaf." Is it obligatory for you to lend it to him? Yes, it is obligatory for you to do so. But if you fear that he will damage it, are you permitted to withhold it? Yes.
Likewise, if you fear that he will write marginal notes or footnotes on it, because some students of knowledge, may Allah protect them, will lend you the book and then return it to you, and there it is.