Al-Qur'an Surah An-Nisa Verse 8

Mufti Taqi Usmani

If the relatives (who are not heirs) and the orphans and the needy are present at the time of distribution, give them some of it, and speak to them in fair words.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

If ˹non-inheriting˺ relatives, orphans,[[ For example, in the case of orphaned children whose grandfather then dies, leaving behind other children, some scholars rule that an obligatory bequest should be made to them despite not having a share in inheritance.]] or the needy are present at the time of distribution, offer them a ˹small˺ provision from it and speak to them kindly.

Ruwwad Translation Center

If at the time of distribution [other] relatives, orphans, and the needy are present, give them something too, and speak to them kindly.

A. J. Arberry

and when the division is attended by kinsmen and orphans and the poor, make provision for them out of it, and speak to them honourable words.

Abdul Haleem

If other relatives, orphans, or needy people are present at the distribution, give them something too, and speak kindly to them.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And when those of kin are Present at the division and the orphans and the needy, provide for them thereout, and say unto them a reputable saying.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

But if at the time of division other relatives, or orphans or poor, are present, feed them out of the (property), and speak to them words of kindness and justice.

Abul Ala Maududi

If other near of kin orphans and needy are pre sent at the time of division of inheritance give them some thing of it and speak to them kindly.

Ahmed Ali

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.

Ahmed Raza Khan

And if relatives and orphans and the needy are present at the time of disbursement, give them something from it and speak to them with kindness.

Ali Quli Qarai

And when the division is attended by relatives, the orphans and the needy, provide for them out of it, and speak to them honourable words.

Ali Ünal

If some from among other relatives (who do not have a legally defined share), and orphans and the destitute, are present at the division (of the inheritance), give them something thereof (for their provision), and speak to them kindly and pleasing words.

Amatul Rahman Omar

And when there are present at the division (of the heritage other) relatives and the orphans and the needy, then give them something out of it and speak to them kind words.

English Literal

And if of the relations, and the orphans, and the poorest of poor/poor oppressed attended the apportionment/division, so provide for them from it, and say to them a saying (that is) kind/good.

Faridul Haque

And if relatives and orphans and the needy are present at the time of disbursement, give them something from it and speak to them with kindness.

Hamid S. Aziz

Verily, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly, only devour fire into their bellies, and they shall broil in flames.

Hilali & Khan

And when the relatives and the orphans and Al-Masakin (the poor) are present at the time of division, give them out of the property, and speak to them words of kindness and justice.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

For men is a share of what the parents and the near relatives leave, and for women a share of what the parents and the near relatives leave whether it be little or much -- an appointed share.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And when there are present at the division the relatives and the orphans and the needy, give them (something) out of it and speak to them kind words.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And when kinsfolk and orphans and the needy are present at the division (of the heritage), bestow on them therefrom and speak kindly unto them.

Muhammad Sarwar

If relatives, orphans or destitute people, are present at the distribution of the legacy, give them something and speak kindly to them.

Qaribullah & Darwish

If relatives, orphans, or the needy are present at the division (of the inheritance), provide for them out of it, and speak to them in kind words.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And when the relatives, and the orphans, and the poor are present at the time of division, give them from the property, and speak to them words of kindness and justice.

Wahiduddin Khan

If other relatives, orphans or needy people are present at the time of the division, then provide for them out of it, and speak kindly to them.

Talal Itani

If the distribution is attended by the relatives, and the orphans, and the needy, give them something out of it, and speak to them kindly.

Tafsir jalalayn

And when the division, of the inheritance, is attended by kinsmen, those of kinship who cannot inherit, and orphans and the poor, grant them, something, out of it, before the division [is effected]; and, if the inheritors are young, speak to them, O guardians, honourable words, kindly, by apologising to them that it is not your possession [to divide as you wish], but that it is for the young [inheritors]. Some say that this [stipulation] was abrogated; others say that it was not, only that people were all too readily neglecting it, since it was encouraged [but not prescribed]. According to Ibn `Abbs, however, it is a duty.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

And when the relatives, and the orphans, and the poor are present at the time of division, give them from the property, and speak to them words of kindness and justice.

وَإِذَا حَضَرَ الْقِسْمَةَ
(are present at the time of division), those who do not have a share in the inheritance,
وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينُ
(and the orphans and the poor), are also present upon dividing the inheritance, give them a share of the inheritance.

Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn Abbas said that;

the Ayah,
وَإِذَا حَضَرَ الْقِسْمَةَ أُوْلُواْ الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينُ
(And when the relatives and the orphans and the poor are present at the time of division), was not abrogated.

Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn Abbas said that;

this Ayah still applies and should be implemented.

Ath-Thawri said that Ibn Abi Najih narrated from Mujahid that implementing this Ayah,

"Is required from those who have anything to inherit, paid from whatever portions their hearts are satisfied with giving away."

Similar explanation was reported from Ibn Mas`ud, Abu Musa, Abdur-Rahman bin Abi Bakr, Abu Al-Aliyah, Ash-Sha`bi and Al-Hasan.

Ibn Sirin, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Makhul, Ibrahim An-Nakhai, Ata bin Abi Rabah, Az-Zuhri and Yahya bin Ya`mar said;

this payment is obligatory.

Others say that;

this refers to the bequeathal at the time of death.

And others say that;

it was abrogated.

Al-Awfi reported that Ibn Abbas said that this Ayah,
وَإِذَا حَضَرَ الْقِسْمَةَ
(And when are present at the time of division),

refers to divisions of inheritance.

So, when poor relatives, who are ineligible for inheritance, orphans, and the poor attend the division of the inheritance, which is sometimes substantial, their hearts will feel eager to have a share, seeing each eligible person assuming his share; while they are desperate, yet are not given anything. Allah the Most Kind, Most Compassionate, commands that they should have a share in the inheritance as an act of kindness, charity, compassion and mercy for them.
Observing Fairness in the Will

Allah said,

وَلْيَخْشَ الَّذِينَ لَوْ تَرَكُواْ مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّةً ضِعَافًا خَافُواْ عَلَيْهِمْ فَلْيَتَّقُوا اللّهَ وَلْيَقُولُواْ قَوْلاً سَدِيدًا