Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 220

Mufti Taqi Usmani

on this world and the Hereafter. They ask you about the orphans. Say, “To work for their good is good. And if you live with them jointly, they are, after all, your brethren.”; and Allah knows the one who makes mischief, as distinct from the one who promotes good. And if Allah had wished, He would have put you in trouble. Surely, Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

upon this world and the Hereafter. And they ask you ˹O Prophet˺ concerning orphans. Say, “Improving their condition is best. And if you partner with them, they are bonded with you ˹in faith˺.[[ Literal translation, “They are your brothers.” ]] And Allah knows who intends harm and who intends good. Had Allah willed, He could have made it difficult for you.[[ By not allowing partnership between you and orphans. ]] Surely Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.”

Ruwwad Translation Center

in this life and the Hereafter. They ask you about orphans. Say, “Serving their interests is best. Should you mix your affairs with theirs, then they are your brothers. Allah knows who is dishonest and who is honest. If Allah had willed, He could have made things hard for you. Allah is indeed All-Mighty, All-Wise.”

A. J. Arberry

in this world, and the world to come. They will question thee concerning the orphans. Say: 'To set their affairs aright is good. And if you intermix with them, they are your brothers. God knows well him who works corruption from him who sets aright; and had He willed He would have harassed you. Surely God is All-mighty, All-wise.'

Abdul Haleem

on this world and the next. They ask you about [the property of] orphans: say, ‘It is good to set things right for them. If you combine their affairs with yours, remember they are your brothers and sisters: God knows those who spoil things and those who improve them. Had He so willed, He could have made you vulnerable too: He is almighty and wise.’

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

On this Wor1d and the Here after. And they ask thee of orphans. Say thou: to set right affairs for them were best. If ye mix with them, then they are your brethren. Allah knoweth the foul-dealer from the fair-dealer. And had Allah so willed, He could have harassed you; verily Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

(Their bearings) on this life and the Hereafter. They ask thee concerning orphans. Say; "The best thing to do is what is for their good; if ye mix their affairs with yours, they are your brethren; but Allah knows the man who means mischief from the man who means good. And if Allah had wished, He could have put you into difficulties; He is indeed Exalted in Power, Wise."

Abul Ala Maududi

And they ask "What ought we to spend (in the way of Allah)"? Say "Spend whatever you can spare." Thus Allah makes His commands clear to you so that you may think about the good of both this world and the Hereafter. They ask you about the right way of dealing with orphans. Say "The right way is that which is for their good." Then there is no harm if you live a common life with them for they are after all your own brethren. Allah knows well the one who means harm and also the one who means good. If Allah had willed He would have been hard upon you in this matter for He is All-Powerful but He is at the same time AlI-Wise.

Ahmed Ali

On this world and the next. And they ask you about the orphans. Tell them: "Improving their lot is much better; and if you take interest in their affairs, they are your brethren; and God is aware who are corrupt and who are honest; and if He had pleased He could surely have imposed on you hardship, for God is all-powerful and all-wise.

Ahmed Raza Khan

Before you execute your deeds of this world and of the Hereafter; and they ask you the decree regarding orphans; say, “To do good towards them is better; and if you combine your expenses with theirs, they are your brothers”; and Allah knows very well the one who spoils from him who improves; and if Allah willed, He could have put you in hardship; and Allah is Almighty, Wise.

Ali Quli Qarai

about the world and the Hereafter. And they ask you concerning the orphans. Say, ‘It is better to set right their affairs, and if you intermingle with them, they are of course your brothers: Allah knows those who cause corruption from those who set things right, and had Allah wished He would have put you to hardship.’ Indeed Allah is all-mighty, all-wise.

Ali Ünal

Upon this world and the Hereafter (with all the truths related to both). And they ask you about (how they should act in regard to) orphans. Say (to them): "(Rather than doing nothing for fear of doing wrong) set their affairs aright for their good, that is the best. If you intermix (your expenses) with theirs, (there is no harm in that) for they are your brothers(-in-religion, and brotherhood demands doing what is good for one’s brothers). God knows well him who causes disorder from him who sets aright. Had God willed, He would have imposed on you exacting conditions. Indeed He is All-Glorious with irresistible might, All-Wise.

Amatul Rahman Omar

Upon this world and the Hereafter. And they ask you concerning the orphans. Say, `To set (their affairs) right (keeping in view the promotion of their welfare) is (an act of great) virtue, and if you intermix with them they are (after all) your brethren. And Allâh knows the wrongdoers from the right-doers. And if Allâh had so willed, He would certainly have made matters difficult for you. Verily, Allâh is All- Mighty, All-Wise.

English Literal

In the present world and the end (other life), and they ask/question you about the orphans say: "Correction/repair (doing good) for them (is) best , and if you mix/mingle/associate with them, so (they are) your brothers, and God knows the corrupting from the correcting/repairing , and if God wanted/willed, He would have caused burden/hardship to you , that God (is) glorious/mighty ,wise/judicious.

Faridul Haque

Before you execute your deeds of this world and of the Hereafter; and they ask you the decree regarding orphans; say, "To do good towards them is better; and if you combine your expenses with theirs, they are your brothers"; and Allah knows very well the one who spoils from him who improves; and if Allah willed, He could have put you in hardship; and Allah is Almighty, Wise.

Hamid S. Aziz

Upon this life and the Hereafter! They will ask you about orphans: say, "It is best to do what improves their lot." But if you mingle their affairs with your s - they are your brethren, and Allah knows him who means mischief from him who means well; and if Allah wills He could surely put you into trouble. Verily, Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Hilali & Khan

In (to) this worldly life and in the Hereafter. And they ask you concerning orphans. Say: "The best thing is to work honestly in their property, and if you mix your affairs with theirs, then they are your brothers. And Allah knows him who means mischief (e.g. to swallow their property) from him who means good (e.g. to save their property). And if Allah had wished, He could have put you into difficulties. Truly, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise."

Maulana Mohammad Ali

On this world and the hereafter. And they ask thee concerning the orphans. Say: To set right their (affairs) is good; and if you mix with them, they are your brethren. And Allah knows him who makes mischief from him who sets right. And if Allah pleased, He would have made matters difficult for you. Surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

On this world and the hereafter. And they ask you concerning the orphans Say: To set right for them (their affairs) is good, and if you become co-partners with them, they are your brethren; and Allah knows the mischief-maker and the pacemaker, and if Allah had pleased, He would certainly have caused you to fall into a difficulty; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

Upon the world and the Hereafter. And they question thee concerning orphans. Say: To improve their lot is best. And if ye mingle your affairs with theirs, then (they are) your brothers. Allah knoweth him who spoileth from him who improveth. Had Allah willed He could have overburdened you. Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Muhammad Sarwar

about this life and the life hereafter. They ask you about the orphans. Tell them, "The best thing to do is what is for their good. They are your brethren if you would associate with them. God knows who is corrupt or a reformer. Had God wanted He would have brought upon you hardship. God is Majestic and All-wise.

Qaribullah & Darwish

upon this world and the Everlasting Life. They will question you concerning orphans. Say: 'Doing good for them is best. If you mix their affairs with yours, remember they are your brothers. Allah knows the corrupter from the reformer. If Allah willed He could have brought hardship upon you. He is Almighty and Wise'

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

In (to) this worldly life and in the Hereafter. And they ask you concerning orphans. Say: "The best thing is to work honestly in their property, and if you mix your affairs with theirs, then they are your brothers. And Allah knows (the one) who means mischief (e.g., to swallow their property) from (the one) who means good (e.g., to save their property). And if Allah had wished, He could have put you into difficulties. Truly, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise."

Wahiduddin Khan

upon this world and the Hereafter. They ask you about orphans. Say, "Promotion of their welfare is an act of great goodness. There is no harm in your living together with them, for they are your brothers. God knows the mischief-maker from the reformer. If God had so willed, He would have afflicted you with hardship. Surely, God is mighty and wise."

Talal Itani

About this world and the next. And they ask you about orphans. Say, “Improvement for them is best. And if you intermix with them, then they are your brethren.” God knows the dishonest from the honest. Had God willed, He could have overburdened you. God is Mighty and Wise.

Tafsir jalalayn

on, the matters of, this world and the Hereafter, and follow what is best for you in both. They will ask you about orphans, and the distress their affair caused them, for, if they became intimate with them, they may slip into error, but if they put aside the money due to them and prepare their meals for them separately, this would distress them. Say; `To set their affairs aright, in terms of their funds, by looking after it, and your mingling with them, is better', than you not doing this; and if you intermix with them, your funds and theirs, they are your brothers, in religion and it is only natural for one to intermix his affair with his brother, so you do too; God knows well him who works corruption, in their property when he intermixes with them, from him who sets, it, aright, and God will requite both; and had He willed He would have harassed you, and made it difficult for you by prohibiting you from intermixing with them. Surely God is Mighty, victorious in His affair, Wise, in His actions.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالاخِرَةِ

Thus Allah makes clear to you His Ayat in order that you may give thought. In (to) this worldly life and in the Hereafter.

meaning, just as He stated and explained these commandments for you, He also explains the rest of His Ayat regarding the commandments and His promises and warnings, so that you might give thought in this life and the Hereafter.

Ali bin Abu Talhah said that Ibn Abbas commented,

"Meaning about the imminent demise and the brevity of this life, and the imminent commencement of the Hereafter and its continuity."
Maintaining the Orphan's Property

Allah said;

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْيَتَامَى قُلْ إِصْلَحٌ لَّهُمْ خَيْرٌ وَإِنْ تُخَالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَاللّهُ يَعْلَمُ الْمُفْسِدَ مِنَ الْمُصْلِحِ وَلَوْ شَاء اللّهُ لاعْنَتَكُمْ

And they ask you concerning orphans.

Say;"The best thing is to work honestly in their property, and if you mix your affairs with theirs, then they are your brothers. And Allah knows him who means mischief (e.g., to swallow their property) from him who means good (e.g., to save their property). And if Allah had wished, He could have put you into difficulties.

Ibn Jarir reported that Ibn Abbas said,

"When the Ayat;
وَلَا تَقْرَبُواْ مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلاَّ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ
(And come not near to the orphan's property, except to improve it), (6;152) and
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ الْيَتَامَى ظُلْمًا إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِي بُطُونِهِمْ نَارًا وَسَيَصْلَوْنَ سَعِيرًا
(Verily, those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, they eat up only fire into their bellies, and they will be burnt in the blazing Fire!) (4;10) were revealed, those who took care of some orphans, separated their food and drink from the orphans' food and drink. When some of the orphans' food and drink remained, they would keep it for them until they eat it or otherwise get spoiled.

This situation was difficult for them and they mentioned this subject to Allah's Messenger.

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْيَتَامَى قُلْ إِصْلَحٌ لَّهُمْ خَيْرٌ وَإِنْ تُخَالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ

And they ask you concerning orphans. Say;"The best thing is to work honestly in their property, and if you mix your affairs with theirs, then they are your brothers.

Hence, they joined their food and drink with the food and drink of the orphans."

This Hadith was also collected by Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i and Al-Hakim in his Mustadrak.

Several others said similarly about the circumstances surrounding the revelation of the Ayah (2;220), including Mujahid, Ata, Ash-Sha`bi, Ibn Abu Layla, Qatadah and others among the Salaf and those after them.

Ibn Jarir reported that Aishah said,

"I dislike that an orphan's money be under my care, unless I mix my food with his food and my drink with his drink."

Allah said;

قُلْ إِصْلَحٌ لَّهُمْ خَيْرٌ

Say;The best thing is to work honestly in their property.

meaning, on the one hand (i.e., this is required in any case).

Allah then said;

وَإِنْ تُخَالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ
and if you mix your affairs with theirs, then they are your brothers.

meaning, there is no harm if you mix your food and drink with their food and drink, since they are your brothers in the religion.

This is why Allah said afterwards;

وَاللّهُ يَعْلَمُ الْمُفْسِدَ مِنَ الْمُصْلِحِ

And Allah knows (the one) who means mischief (e.g., to swallow their property) from (the one) who means good (e.g., to save their property).

meaning, He knows those whose intent is to cause mischief or righteousness.

He also said;

وَلَوْ شَاء اللّهُ لاعْنَتَكُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ



And if Allah had wished, He could have put you into difficulties. Truly, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.

meaning, if Allah wills, He will make this matter difficult for you. But, He made it easy for you, and allowed you to mix your affairs with the orphans' affairs in a way that is better.

Similarly, Allah said;

وَلَا تَقْرَبُواْ مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلاَّ بِالَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ

And come not near to the orphan's property, except to improve it. (6;152)

Allah has thus allowed spending from the orphan's estate by its executor, in reasonable proportions, on the condition that he has the intention to compensate the orphan later on, when he can afford it. We will mention about it in detail in Surah An-Nisa by Allah's will