Women (Al-Nesaa)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Mankind, fear your Lord, who created you of a single soul, and from it created its mate, and from the pair of them scattered abroad many men and women; and fear God by whom you demand one of another, and the wombs; surely God ever watches over you. 1 Hence, render unto the orphans their possessions, and do not substitute bad things [of your own] for the good things [that belong to them,] and do not consume their possessions together with your own: this, verily, is a great crime. 2 And if ye apprehend that ye may not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry such as please you, of other women, by twos or threes or fours, but if ye apprehend that ye shall not act justly, then marry one only, or that which your right hands own that will be more fit, that ye may swerve not. 3 And give unto women their marriage portions in the spirit of a gift; but if they, of their own accord, give up unto you aught thereof, then enjoy it with pleasure and good cheer. 4 But do not give to fools their property that God has assigned to you to manage; provide for them and clothe them out of it, and speak to them honourable words. 5 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. 6 To the men a share of what parents and kinsmen leave, and to the women a share of what parents and kinsmen leave, whether it be little or much, a share apportioned; 7 And when the relatives and orphans and the needy collect at the time of the division (of property) provide for them too, and talk kindly to them. 8 And let those fear who, if they left behind them weak seed, would be afraid on their account, and let them fear God, and speak words hitting the mark. 9 Lo! Those who devour the wealth of orphans wrongfully, they do but swallow fire into their bellies, and they will be exposed to burning flame. 10