Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

“And approach not the property of the fatherless save with what is better before he reaches his maturity; and fulfil the measure and the balance with equity,” — We burden not any soul save to its capacity — “and when you speak, be just (though he be a relative); and the covenant of God fulfil; — that He commanded you, that you might take heed.”

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا مَالَ الْيَت۪يمِ اِلَّا بِالَّت۪ي هِيَ اَحْسَنُ حَتّٰى يَبْلُغَ اَشُدَّهُۚ وَاَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ وَالْم۪يزَانَ بِالْقِسْطِۚ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْساً اِلَّا وُسْعَهَا وَاِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَاعْدِلُوا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبٰىۚ وَبِعَهْدِ اللّٰهِ اَوْفُواۜ ذٰلِكُمْ وَصّٰيكُمْ بِه۪ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَۙ
Wala taqraboo mala alyateemiilla billatee hiya ahsanu hattayablugha ashuddahu waawfoo alkayla walmeezana bilqistila nukallifu nafsan illa wusAAaha wa-ithaqultum faAAdiloo walaw kana tha qurbawabiAAahdi Allahi awfoo thalikum wassakumbihi laAAallakum tathakkaroon
#wordmeaningroot
1walāAnd (do) not
2taqrabūgo nearقرب
3mālawealthمول
4l-yatīmi(of) the orphansيتم
5illāexcept
6bi-allatīwith that
7hiyawhich
8aḥsanu(is) bestحسن
9ḥattāuntil
10yablughahe reachesبلغ
11ashuddahuhis maturityشدد
12wa-awfūAnd give fullوفي
13l-kayla[the] measureكيل
14wal-mīzānaand the weightوزن
15bil-qis'ṭiwith justiceقسط
16Not
17nukallifuWe burdenكلف
18nafsanany soulنفس
19illāexcept
20wus'ʿahā(to) its capacityوسع
21wa-idhāAnd when
22qul'tumyou speakقول
23fa-iʿ'dilūthen be justعدل
24walaweven if
25kānahe isكون
26dhā(one of)
27qur'bāa near relativeقرب
28wabiʿahdiAnd (the) Covenantعهد
29l-lahi(of) Allah
30awfūfulfilوفي
31dhālikumThat
32waṣṣākum(He) has enjoined on youوصي
33bihiwith it
34laʿallakumso that you may
35tadhakkarūnarememberذكر
  • Aisha Bewley

    And that you do not go near the property of orphans before they reach maturity – except in a good way; that you give full measure and full weight with justice – We impose on no self any more than it can bear; that you are equitable when you speak – even if a near relative is concerned; and that you fulfil Allah’s contract. That is what He instructs you to do, so that hopefully you will pay heed.

  • Progressive Muslims

    "And do not come near the money of the orphan, except for what is best, until he reached his maturity; and give honestly full measure and weight equitably. We do not burden a soul except by what it can bear, and if you speak then be just even if against a relative; and regarding the pledges made to God, you shall observe them. This He has enjoined you that you may remember."

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    Allah Commands you further: Approach not the wealth of the orphan except for their own benefit until they come of age with full maturity of body and mind. Give full weight and full measure in all your dealings. Uphold justice in all aspects of your life. Our Commands are meant to widen your human potential. We do not assign any "Self" responsibility beyond its means. And when you voice an opinion, be just, even if it is against a relative. Fulfill your Covenant with Allah, the unwavering allegiance to the Divine System (1:4-5), (9:111). This He Commands for you to bear in mind.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    “And approach not the property of the fatherless save with what is better before he reaches his maturity; and fulfil the measure and the balance with equity,” — We burden not any soul save to its capacity — “and when you speak, be just (though he be a relative); and the covenant of God fulfil; — that He commanded you, that you might take heed.”

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    "And do not come near the money of the orphan, except for what is best, until he reaches his independence; and give honestly full measure and weight equitably. We do not burden a soul except with what it can bear, and if you speak then be just even if against a relative; and regarding the pledges made to God, you shall observe them. This He has enjoined you that you may remember."

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    "Do not come near the money of the orphan, except for what is best, until he reached his maturity; and give honestly full measure and weight equitably. We do not burden a person beyond its capacity. When you speak you must observe justice, even if against a relative. You shall also observe the pledges you made to God. He has enjoined you this so that you may take heed."

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    You shall not touch the orphans' money except in the most righteous manner, until they reach maturity. You shall give full weight and full measure when you trade, equitably. We do not burden any soul beyond its means. You shall be absolutely just when you bear witness, even against your relatives. You shall fulfill your covenant with GOD. These are His commandments to you, that you may take heed.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    Do not spend the belongings of the orphans but for their betterment, until they come of age; and give in full measure, and weigh justly on the balance. God does not burden a soul beyond capacity. When you say a thing, let it be just, even though the matter relate to a relative of yours, and fulfil a promise made to God. These are the things that He has enjoined that you may take heed.

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

    And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best until he reaches maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not charge any soul except its capacity. And when you testify, be just, even if a near relative. And the covenant of Allah fulfill. This has He instructed you that you may remember.

  • Muhammad Asad

    and do not touch the substance of an orphan - save to improve it-before he comes of age. " And give full measure and weight, with equity: We do not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear; and when you voice an opinion, be just, even though it be one near of kin. And observe your bond with God: this has He enjoined upon you, so that you might keep it in mind.

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    And approach not the wealth of the orphan save with that which is better, till he reach maturity. Give full measure and full weight, in justice. We task not any soul beyond its scope. And if ye give your word, do justice thereunto, even though it be (against) a kinsman; and fulfil the covenant of Allah. This He commandeth you that haply ye may remember.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    (vi) and do not even draw near to the property of the orphan in his minority except in the best manner; (vii) and give full measures and weight with justice; We do not burden anyone beyond his capacity; (viii) When you speak, be just, even though it concern a near of kin; (ix) and fulfil the covenant of Allah. That is what He has enjoined upon you so that you may take heed.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    e) "You must not encroach upon the property of the orphan, unless it be with the motive of improving, advancing or raising it to a better quality or condition, until he or she reaches maturity and be able to take charge of it".

  • Bijan Moeinian

    Do not approach an orphan's property except with the best intention until they grow up Give full weight and full measure when you trade. See I am not demanding more than what your soul can bear. Never lie; even though telling the truth may hurt your dearest ones. Deliver what you have promised to the Lord. These are the Lord’s commandments, may you be mindful.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    "And come not near to the orphan’s property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not any person, but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge between men or give evidence), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfil the Covenant of Allâh. This He commands you, that you may remember.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    And come not nigh to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he attain the age of full strength; give measure and weight with (full) justice;- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear;- whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfil the covenant of Allah: thus doth He command you, that ye may remember.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    And do not come near the wealth of the orphan—unless intending to enhance it—until they attain maturity. Give full measure and weigh with justice. We never require of any soul more than what it can afford. Whenever you speak, maintain justice—even regarding a close relative. And fulfil your covenant with Allah. This is what He has commanded you, so perhaps you will be mindful.

  • Taqi Usmani

    Do not approach the property of the orphan, except with the best possible conduct, until he reaches maturity. Give full measure and full weight in all fairness- We do not obligate anyone beyond his capacity - and be just when you speak, even though the one (against whom you are speaking) is a relative; and fulfill the covenant of Allah. This is what He has enjoined upon you, so that you may observe the advice.

  • Abdul Haleem

    Stay well away from the property of orphans, except with the best , until they come of age; give full measure and weight, according to justice’- We do not burden any soul with more than it can bear- ‘ when you speak, be just, even if it concerns a relative; keep any promises you make in God’s name. This is what He commands you to do, so that you may take heed’-

  • Arthur John Arberry

    And that you approach not the property of the orphan, save in the fairer manner, until he is of age. And fill up the measure and the balance with justice. We charge not any soul save to its capacity. And when you speak, be just, even if it should be to a near kinsman. And fulfil God's covenant. That then He has charged you with; haply you will remember.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    And draw not nigh unto the wealth of the orphan, save so as to better it, until he reaches full age; and give weight and measure with justice. We do not compel the soul save what it can compass; and when ye pronounce, then be just, though it be in the case of a relative.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    And draw not nigh unto the property of the orphan, except to improve it, until he reaches full age; and give weight and measure with justice - We place not a greater burden on the soul than he can bear - and when you speak (or give your word), then speak justly (or do it justice), even if it be against a near relative; and fulfil the covenant with Allah. This He commands you that per chance (or possibly) you may be mindful.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    And do not draw near the wealth of the orphan, except in the fairest (manner), until he has reached full age. And fill up the measure and the balance with equity. We do not charge (any) self except to its capacity; and when you say (anything), then be just (i.e., do justice) even if he were a near kinsman. And fulfil the covenant of Allah. That is what He has enjoined you with, that possibly you would be mindful.

  • George Sale

    And meddle not with the substance of the orphan, otherwise than for the improving thereof, until he attain his age of strength; and use a full measure, and a just balance. We will not impose a task on any soul, beyond its ability. And when ye pronounce judgement observe justice, although it be for or against one who is near of kin, and fulfill the covenant of God. This hath God commanded you, that ye may be admonished;

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    And do not come near to the orphans property except to improve it (or to make it better), till he (or she) attains the age of full strength; Give full measure and full weight with (total) justice— No burden do We place on any soul, except that what it can bear— And whenever you speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; And fulfill the duty (and promise) to Allah: Thus does He command you, that you may remember.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    And (He has enjoined you) that you do not approach the property of an orphan except in the fairest manner; until he attains his maturity, and give full measure and weight with equity. We charge no soul except to its capacity, and that when you speak (giving your verdict), observe justice even though the person concerned be a relative (of yours), and fulfill the covenant (you made) with Allâh. That is what He enjoins upon you so that you may take heed,

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    Do not approach the orphan’s property, except in the best manner, until he comes of age. And observe fully the measure and the balance with justice.’ We task no soul except according to its capacity. ‘And when you speak, be fair, even if it were a relative; and fulfill Allah’s covenant. This is what He enjoins upon you so that you may take admonition.’