1. O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single
person, created, of like nature, His mate, and from them twain scattered (like
seeds) countless men and women;- reverence Allah, through whom ye demand your
mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (That bore you): for Allah ever
watches over you.
2. To orphans restore their property (When they reach their age), nor substitute
(your) worthless things for (their) good ones; and devour not their substance
(by mixing it up) with your own. For this is indeed a great sin.
3. If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry
women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be
able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right
hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.
4. And give the women (on marriage) their dower as a free gift; but if they, of
their own good pleasure, remit any part of it to you, Take it and enjoy it with
right good cheer.
5. To those weak of understanding Make not over your property, which Allah hath
made a means of support for you, but feed and clothe them therewith, and speak
to them words of kindness and justice.
6. Make trial of orphans until they reach the age of marriage; if then ye find
sound judgment in them, release their property to them; but consume it not
wastefully, nor in haste against their growing up. If the guardian is well-off,
Let him claim no remuneration, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what
is just and reasonable. When ye release their property to them, take witnesses
in their presence: But all-sufficient is Allah in taking account.
7. From what is left by parents and those nearest related there is a share for
men and a share for women, whether the property be small or large,-a determinate
share.
8. But if at the time of division other relatives, or orphans or poor, are
present, feed them out of the (property), and speak to them words of kindness
and justice.
9. Let those (disposing of an estate) have the same fear in their minds as they
would have for their own if they had left a helpless family behind: Let them
fear Allah, and speak words of appropriate (comfort).
10. Those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, eat up a Fire into their
own bodies: They will soon be enduring a Blazing Fire!
Translation by Abdullah Yusufali