Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

And they ask thee for a ruling concerning women. Say thou: “God gives you the ruling concerning them,” — and what is recited to you in the Writ concerning the fatherless women (to whom you give not what is prescribed for them, and yet desire to marry them) and concerning the oppressed among children; and that you stand up for equity for the fatherless. And whatever you do of good, God knows it.

وَيَسْتَفْتُونَكَ فِي النِّسَٓاءِۜ قُلِ اللّٰهُ يُفْت۪يكُمْ ف۪يهِنَّۙ وَمَا يُتْلٰى عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْكِتَابِ ف۪ي يَتَامَى النِّسَٓاءِ الّٰت۪ي لَا تُؤْتُونَهُنَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُنَّ وَتَرْغَبُونَ اَنْ تَنْكِحُوهُنَّ وَالْمُسْتَضْعَف۪ينَ مِنَ الْوِلْدَانِۙ وَاَنْ تَقُومُوا لِلْيَتَامٰى بِالْقِسْطِۜ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ بِه۪ عَل۪يماً
Wayastaftoonaka fee annisa-iquli Allahu yufteekum feehinna wama yutlaAAalaykum fee alkitabi fee yatama annisa-iallatee la tu/toonahunna ma kutiba lahunnawatarghaboona an tankihoohunna walmustadAAafeenamina alwildani waan taqoomoo lilyatama bilqistiwama tafAAaloo min khayrin fa-inna Allaha kanabihi AAaleema
#wordmeaningroot
1wayastaftūnakaAnd they seek your rulingفتي
2concerning
3l-nisāithe womenنسو
4quliSayقول
5l-lahuAllah
6yuf'tīkumgives you the rulingفتي
7fīhinnaabout them
8wamāand what
9yut'lāis recitedتلو
10ʿalaykumto you
11in
12l-kitābithe Bookكتب
13concerning
14yatāmāorphansيتم
15l-nisāi(of) girlsنسو
16allātī(to) whom
17not
18tu'tūnahunna(do) you give themاتي
19what
20kutibais ordainedكتب
21lahunnafor them
22watarghabūnaand you desireرغب
23anto
24tankiḥūhunnamarry themنكح
25wal-mus'taḍʿafīnaand the ones who are weakضعف
26minaof
27l-wil'dānithe childrenولد
28wa-anand to
29taqūmūstandقوم
30lil'yatāmāfor orphansيتم
31bil-qis'ṭiwith justiceقسط
32wamāAnd whatever
33tafʿalūyou doفعل
34minof
35khayringoodخير
36fa-innathen indeed
37l-lahaAllah
38kānaisكون
39bihiabout it
40ʿalīmanAll-Knowingعلم
  • Aisha Bewley

    They will ask you for a fatwa about women. Say, ‘Allah gives you a fatwa about them; and also what is recited to you in the Book about orphan girls to whom you do not give the inheritance they are owed, while at the same time desiring to marry them; and also about young children who are denied their rights: that you should act justly with respect to orphans.’ Whatever good you do, Allah knows it.

  • Progressive Muslims

    And they seek a ruling regarding the women, Say: "God will give you a ruling regarding them and what is being recited to you in the Scripture regarding the orphan's mothers whom you wish to marry, but have not given them what was decreed for them; as well as the weak from the children: That you stand for the orphans in equality. " Whatever good you do, then God is aware of it.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    (It is imperative to realize that women are no less a part of the society. Moreover, they are the custodians of the future generations like a garden that bears flowery plants (2:223)) They ask you to enlighten them further about the Laws concerning women (O Prophet). Say, "Allah Himself enlightens you about the Laws concerning them, and the Book which has been recited to you conveys the decree. (You shall be especially kind to women who are widowed, orphaned, or left helpless for any reason (2:83), (2:215), (4:3), (2:240), (8:41)) You shall restore the rights of the orphaned women to whom you give not what is ordained (their due marital gifts) when you wish to marry them. And Allah decrees about helpless children, and your duty to treat orphans in a most kind manner. And whatever good you may do, behold, Allah is ever Aware."

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    And they ask thee for a ruling concerning women. Say thou: “God gives you the ruling concerning them,” — and what is recited to you in the Writ concerning the fatherless women (to whom you give not what is prescribed for them, and yet desire to marry them) and concerning the oppressed among children; and that you stand up for equity for the fatherless. And whatever you do of good, God knows it.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    And they seek a ruling regarding the women, say: "God will give you a ruling regarding them and what is being recited to you in the Book regarding the orphans' mothers whom you wish to marry but have not given them what was decreed for them, and the oppressed from the children: That you stand for the orphans in equality." Whatever good you do, then God is aware of it.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    They ask you for divine instruction concerning women. Say, "God instructs you regarding them, as has been recited for you in the book about the rights of orphans whose mothers you want to marry without giving them their legal rights. You shall observe the rights of powerless children, and your duty to treat orphans with equity. Whatever good you do, God has full knowledge of it.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    They consult you concerning women: say, "GOD enlightens you regarding them, as recited for you in the scripture. You shall restore the rights of orphaned girls whom you cheat out of their due dowries when you wish to marry them: you shall not take advantage of them. The rights of orphaned boys must also be protected as well. You shall treat the orphans equitably. Whatever good you do, GOD is fully aware thereof."

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    And they ask you for judgement about women. Tell them: "God has given you instructions about them. You also read them in the Book concerning orphaned women (in your charge) to whom you deny their ordained rights and yet wish to take them in marriage, as well as in respect of helpless children, that you should be just in the matter of orphans." The good you do is known to God.

  • Sahih International (Umm Muhammad, Mary Kennedy, Amatullah Bantley)

    And they request from you, , a ruling concerning women. Say, " Allah gives you a ruling about them and what has been recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan girls to whom you do not give what is decreed for them - and you desire to marry them - and concerning the oppressed among children and that you maintain for orphans in justice." And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allah is ever Knowing of it.

  • Muhammad Asad

    AND THEY will ask thee to enlighten them about the laws concerning women. Say: "God en­lightens you about the laws concerning them"- for in what is being conveyed unto you through this divine writ about orphan women , to whom - because you yourselves may be desirous of marrying them - you do not give that which has been ordained for them; and about help­less children; and about your duty to treat orphans with equity. And whatever good you may do - be­hold, God has indeed full knowledge thereof.

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    They consult thee concerning women. Say: Allah giveth you decree concerning them, and the Scripture which hath been recited unto you (giveth decree), concerning female orphans and those unto whom ye give not that which is ordained for them though ye desire to marry them, and (concerning) the weak among children, and that ye should deal justly with orphans. Whatever good ye do, lo! Allah is ever Aware of it.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    They ask you to pronounce laws concerning women,* say: 'Allah pronounces to you concerning them,* and reminds you of the injunctions which were recited to you in the Book about female orphans whom you do not give what has been ordained for them* and whom you wish to marry (out of greed)',* and the commandments relating to the children who are weak and helpless.* Allah directs you to treat the orphans with justice. Allah is well aware of whatever good you do.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    And they – those who conformed to Islam - seek counsel from you O Muhammad concerning women; how to act toward them and deal Justly with them! Say to them: "Allah's decretal reply to your question, relative to women, is formally announced," "Instructions have been recited to you from the Book -the Quran–". Further instructions concern the female orphans to whom you deny their due and whom you wish to marry: "It is not right to take advantage of their helpless position nor of the helpless position of all those who are young." "And you must deal justly with orphans and exercise your authority in maintenance of their right. And whatever deed you imprint with wisdom and piety is an honourable deed, it always comes to Allah’s knowledge."

  • Bijan Moeinian

    People will come to you asking about the way women should be dealt with. Say: "As it is recited in the book, be trustworthy in handling the wealth of the female orphans. If you decide to marry them, do not cheat them out of their dowries. Do not take advantage of them and take the weak and oppressed children under your protection. You must be fair in dealing with male orphans too. Be nice to the orphans and know that whatever good you do, God is aware of it."

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    They ask your legal instruction concerning women, say: Allâh instructs you about them, and about what is recited unto you in the Book concerning the orphan girls whom you give not the prescribed portions (as regards Mahr and inheritance) and yet whom you desire to marry, and (concerning) the children who are weak and oppressed, and that you stand firm for justice to orphans. And whatever good you do, Allâh is Ever All-Aware of it.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    They ask thy instruction concerning the women say: Allah doth instruct you about them: And (remember) what hath been rehearsed unto you in the Book, concerning the orphans of women to whom ye give not the portions prescribed, and yet whom ye desire to marry, as also concerning the children who are weak and oppressed: that ye stand firm for justice to orphans. There is not a good deed which ye do, but Allah is well-acquainted therewith.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ regarding women. Say, "It is Allah Who instructs you regarding them. Instruction has ˹already˺ been revealed in the Book concerning the orphan women you deprive of their due rights but still wish to marry, also helpless children, as well as standing up for orphans’ rights. And whatever good you do is certainly well known to Allah."

  • Taqi Usmani

    They ask you about women. Say, "Allah answers you about them, and so does what is recited to you from the Book regarding orphaned women whom you do not give what is prescribed for them and tend to marry them, and regarding the weak from the children, and that you should maintain justice for the orphans. Whatever good you do Allah is aware of it.

  • Abdul Haleem

    They ask you for a ruling about women. Say, ‘God Himself gives you a ruling about them. You already have what has been recited to you in the Scripture about orphan girls from whom you withhold the prescribed shares and whom you wish to marry, and also about helpless children- God instructs you to treat orphans fairly: He is well aware of whatever good you do.’

  • Arthur John Arberry

    They will ask thee for a pronouncement concerning women. Say: 'God pronounces to you concerning them, and what is recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan women to whom you give not what is prescribed for them, and yet desire to marry them, and the oppressed children, and that you secure justice for orphans. Whatever good you do, God knows of it.'

  • E. Henry Palmer

    They will ask thee a decision about women; say, 'God decides for you about them, and that which is rehearsed to you in the Book; about orphan women to whom ye do not give what is prescribed for them, and whom ye are averse from marrying; and about weak children; and that ye stand fairly by orphans;- and what ye do of good, verily, that God knows. '

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    They will ask you for a decision (or instructions) about women; say, "Allah decides for you about them, and so do the Scriptures recited to you (remember them) about female orphans to whom you do not give what is prescribed for them though you are not averse to marrying them; and about the weak (neglected, oppressed and deprived) children; and that you deal fairly with orphans. Whatever good you do, verily, Allah is ever Aware of it."

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    And they ask you for your pronouncement concerning women. Say, " Allah pronounces concerning them, and what is recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan women (Or (possibly): women who have orphans. And Allah knows bests) to whom you do not bring what is prescribed for them, and (yet) you desire to marry them, and the (ones) deemed weak of the children (Literally: newborns) (and) that you keep up equity (Literally: set "things" up with equity) for orphans. And whatever charity you perform, then surely Allah has been Ever-Knowing of it.

  • George Sale

    They will consult thee concerning women; answer, God instructeth you concerning them, and that which is read unto you in the book of the Koran concerning female orphans, to whom ye give not that which is ordained them, neither will ye marry them, and concerning weak infants, and that ye observe justice towards orphans: Whatever good ye do, God knoweth it.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    They ask your legal instruction concerning the women; Say: "Allah does instruct you about them: And (remember) what has been stated to you in the Book, concerning the orphans girls to whom you give not the portions prescribed; And yet whom you desire to marry, and also concerning the children who are weak and oppressed: Yet you stand firm for justice to orphans. There is not a good deed which you do, Allah is Well Acquainted with it."

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    And they seek your ruling with regard to (marrying) women (having no husbands). Say, `Allâh gives you His ruling about them and He reminds you the ruling as has (already) been mentioned to you in this Book regarding women without husbands (- widows, divorced, or yet to be married) to whom you do not give their rights prescribed for them, yet you feel inclined to get them in marriage (with a mind to take over their belongings) and (the ruling is also regarding) the helpless children. (He enjoins you to) stand firm in observing equity towards the orphans. And (remember) whatever good you do Allâh knows it very well.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    They seek your ruling concerning women. Say, ‘Allah gives you a ruling concerning them and what is announced to you in the Book concerning girl orphans —whom you do not give what has been prescribed for them, and yet you desire to marry them— and about the weak among children: that you should maintain the orphans with justice, and whatever good you do, indeed Allah knows it well.