Translation of the Meanings of the Noble Qur'an - English Translation - Dr. Waleed Bleyhesh Omary * - Translations’ Index
Translation of the meanings Ayah: (34) Surah: Al-Isrā’
وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ مَالَ ٱلۡيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥۚ وَأَوۡفُواْ بِٱلۡعَهۡدِۖ إِنَّ ٱلۡعَهۡدَ كَانَ مَسۡـُٔولٗا
(34) [3570]Do not ˹neither˺ come near the money of the orphan – except in a comely manner[3571] – until his coming of age[3572]; [3573]fulfil the pledge; verily a pledge will be asked after!
[3570] Society’s chasteness is to be ensured by emphatically warning against infringing on the property of even the weakest segments of its members, i.e. young and unassuming orphans: “Those who devour the money of orphans unjustly, only consume fire in their bellies—they will experience a Fiery Furnace” (4: 10).
[3571] Those in charge of the affairs of orphans, need to deal with their money very piously: “˹Guardians!˺ Give out to the orphans their money, do not exchange the bad for the good, and do not devour their money along with yours—indeed this is a heinous sin!” (4 :2)
[3572] “Test the orphans, so that when they reach maturity – if you perceive them discerning – give them their money. Do not hastily devour or squander it fearing that they should ˹in time˺ grow up. Whoever of you is well off, let him forbear ˹in dignity˺; whoever of you is needy let him eat off ˹of it˺ proportionately. Should you hand over their money to them, let there be witnesses to bear this—Allah is sufficient as Reckoner” (4: 6).
[3573] Guardianship is a kind of pledge, so it has to be upheld and honoured (cf. al-Biqāʿī, Naẓm al-Durar). Honouring pledges, in general, is a basic founding principle of the Believing society which makes it impregnable to decay and defeat (cf. Ibn ʿĀshūr).
Given that guardianship pertains to the rights of unprotected children who are wholly placed under one’s discretion, honouring its demands will surely nurture the Believing spirit, which is more likely to honour other pledges with the people and the state: “You who Believe, honour obligations!” (5: 1).
[3571] Those in charge of the affairs of orphans, need to deal with their money very piously: “˹Guardians!˺ Give out to the orphans their money, do not exchange the bad for the good, and do not devour their money along with yours—indeed this is a heinous sin!” (4 :2)
[3572] “Test the orphans, so that when they reach maturity – if you perceive them discerning – give them their money. Do not hastily devour or squander it fearing that they should ˹in time˺ grow up. Whoever of you is well off, let him forbear ˹in dignity˺; whoever of you is needy let him eat off ˹of it˺ proportionately. Should you hand over their money to them, let there be witnesses to bear this—Allah is sufficient as Reckoner” (4: 6).
[3573] Guardianship is a kind of pledge, so it has to be upheld and honoured (cf. al-Biqāʿī, Naẓm al-Durar). Honouring pledges, in general, is a basic founding principle of the Believing society which makes it impregnable to decay and defeat (cf. Ibn ʿĀshūr).
Given that guardianship pertains to the rights of unprotected children who are wholly placed under one’s discretion, honouring its demands will surely nurture the Believing spirit, which is more likely to honour other pledges with the people and the state: “You who Believe, honour obligations!” (5: 1).
Arabic explanations of the Qur’an:
Translation of the meanings Ayah: (34) Surah: Al-Isrā’
Translation of the Meanings of the Noble Qur'an - English Translation - Dr. Waleed Bleyhesh Omary - Translations’ Index
Translation of the meanings of the Noble Qur’an into English - in progress - translated by Dr. Walid Bleihesh Al-Omari.