Anwar Al-Quran

Verses 6–10

4. An-Nisaa · The Women

Madinan176 verses

وَٱبْتَلُوا۟ ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغُوا۟ ٱلنِّكَاحَ فَإِنْ ءَانَسْتُم مِّنْهُمْ رُشْدًۭا فَٱدْفَعُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَأْكُلُوهَآ إِسْرَافًۭا وَبِدَارًا أَن يَكْبَرُوا۟ ۚ وَمَن كَانَ غَنِيًّۭا فَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ فَقِيرًۭا فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ فَإِذَا دَفَعْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فَأَشْهِدُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ حَسِيبًۭا

4:6Test the orphans when they reach the age of marriage. Then if you discern in them maturity, deliver to them their property. And do not consume it lavishly and hastily lest they should grow up. As for him who is well-off, let him be abstemious, and as for him who is poor, let him eat in an honourable manner. And when you deliver to them their property, take witnesses over them, and Allah suffices as reckoner.12

لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌۭ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلْوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبُونَ وَلِلنِّسَآءِ نَصِيبٌۭ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلْوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبُونَ مِمَّا قَلَّ مِنْهُ أَوْ كَثُرَ ۚ نَصِيبًۭا مَّفْرُوضًۭا

4:7Men have a share in the heritage left by parents and near relatives, and women have a share in the heritage left by parents and near relatives, whether it be little or much, a share ordained [by Allah].34

وَإِذَا حَضَرَ ٱلْقِسْمَةَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينُ فَٱرْزُقُوهُم مِّنْهُ وَقُولُوا۟ لَهُمْ قَوْلًۭا مَّعْرُوفًۭا

4:8And when the division is attended by relatives, the orphans and the needy, provide for them out of it, and speak to them honourable words.

وَلْيَخْشَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَوْ تَرَكُوا۟ مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّةًۭ ضِعَٰفًا خَافُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ فَلْيَتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلْيَقُولُوا۟ قَوْلًۭا سَدِيدًا

4:9Let those fear [the result of mistreating orphans] who, were they to leave behind weak offspring, would be concerned on their account. So let them be wary of Allah, and let them speak upright words.5

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَٰلَ ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ ظُلْمًا إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِى بُطُونِهِمْ نَارًۭا ۖ وَسَيَصْلَوْنَ سَعِيرًۭا

4:10Indeed those who consume the property of orphans wrongfully, only ingest fire into their bellies, and soon they will enter the Blaze.

Tafsir

Commentary on this passage

Verse 7

1.There are four verses as below and each verse explains about the different laws of Islam. They are as follows:

(i) The laws of inheritance for both men and women were announced so that the system of the Ignorance can be refuted where women and children were not getting their legacy.

(ii) Those who have no right and if they are present at the time of distribution of wealth, whether they are orphan or needy, give them something out of it, so that they would not be disappointed and suspicious from the law of Islam. It is a human nature that on seeing the distribution of wealth, a person becomes greedy.

(iii) Guardians of orphans should utilize their property in a way that if their own children were orphans what they would have liked.

(iv) The property of orphans should not be used unjustly as it is akin to swallowing fire. That is it should be used in proper manner.

Footnotes

Explanations of words and phrases in these verses

  1. 1

    The law of Islam is equitable in the secure that it has secured the rights of both men and women, otherwise in the period of Ignorance women had no share in the inheritance because they did not participate in fighting and wars.

  2. 2

    It is a warning to the guardians of the orphans that they must deal with the orphans in the way they would like people to deal with their children when they are orphaned.

  3. 3

    The same rule applies to two girls also. There is no condition for more than two.

  4. 4

    Two thirds or one-third shall be given as a duty and the remainder shall also be paid to them because Islam has not appointed any other rightful person.

  5. 5

    This is pointing towards the philosophy of inheritance that there is hidden wisdom in difficult grades and states. but we are unaware of it. Since Allah is All-knowing and wise we should trust his wisdom and it is a religious duty and there is no scope of any alteration and modification.

  6. Benefit

    Since the command in 8th verse is recommended the exact quantity is not mentioned. The phrase Lizzakera Mithlo Hazzil. Unseen shows that the actual portion is for the girl the share of men is based on this. Fauqathnain means two or morejust like for Hajlh the word khoo is inclusive of two also.