Al-Qur'an Surah Al-An'am Verse 152

Mufti 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.

Dr. 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,[[ i.e., when you testify or judge. ]] 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.

Ruwwad Translation Center

Do not approach the orphan’s property, except to improve it, until he attains maturity. Give full measure and weight with justice. We do not burden any soul beyond what it can bear. And maintain justice when you speak, even if it be about a close relative. And fulfill the covenant of Allah. This is what He commands you, so that you may take heed.

A. J. 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.

Abdul Haleem

Stay well away from the property of orphans, except with the best [intentions], 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’-

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And approach not the substance of an orphan save with that which is best until he attaineth his age of strength, and fill up the measure and balance with equity- We burthen not a soul except according to its capacity and when ye speak, be fair, even though it be against a kinsman; and the covenant of Allah fulfil. Thus He enjoineth you that haply ye may be admonished.

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.

Abul Ala Maududi

(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.

Ahmed Ali

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.

Ahmed Raza Khan

‘And do not approach the wealth of an orphan except in the best manner, till he reaches his adulthood; and measure and weigh in full, with justice; We do not burden any soul except within its capacity; and always speak fairly, although it may be concerning your relative; and be faithful only to Allah’s covenant; this is commanded to you, so that you may accept advice.’”

Ali Quli Qarai

Do not approach the orphan’s property, except in the best [possible] 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.’

Ali Ünal

"And do not draw near to the property of the orphan except in the best way (such as to improve and increase it) until he comes of age. Weigh and balance with full measure and equity." We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity. "And when you speak, be just, even though it be against one near of kin; and fulfill God’s covenant (and the covenants you make with one another in God’s Name). All this He has enjoined upon you, that you may reflect and be mindful.

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,

English Literal

And do not approach/near the orphan`s property/possession except with which it is best, until he reaches his maturity/strength, and fulfill/complete the measuring/weighing device, and the scale with the just/equitable, We do not burden a self except its endurance/capacity, and if you said (talked), so be just/equitable, and even if (it) was (against) of the relations/near, and with God`s promise/contract fulfill/complete; that He directed/commanded with it, maybe you mention/remember .

Faridul Haque

‘And do not approach the wealth of an orphan except in the best manner, till he reaches his adulthood; and measure and weigh in full, with justice; We do not burden any soul except within its capacity; and always speak fairly, although it may be concerning your relative; and be faithful only to Allah’s covenant; this is commanded to you, so that you may accept advice.’ ”

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.

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, etc.), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfill the Covenant of Allah, This He commands you, that you may remember.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

Say: Come! I will recite what your Lord has forbidden to you: Associate naught with Him and do good to parents and slay not your children for (fear of ) poverty -- We will provide for you and for them -- and draw not nigh to indecencies, open or secret, and kill not the soul which Allah has made sacred except in the course of justice. This He enjoins upon you that you may understand.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And do not approach the property of the orphan except in the best manner until he attains his maturity, and give full measure and weight with justice-- We do not impose on any soul a duty except to the extent of its ability; and when you speak, then be just though it be (against) a relative, and fulfill Allah's covenant; this He has enjoined you with that you may be mindful;

Mohammed Marmaduke William 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.

Muhammad Sarwar

Do not handle the property of the orphans except with a good reason until they become mature and strong. Maintain equality in your dealings by the means of measurement and balance. No soul is responsible for what is beyond it's ability. Be just in your words, even if the party involved is one of your relatives and keep your promise with God. Thus does your Lord guide you so that you may take heed.

Qaribullah & Darwish

Do not touch the wealth of the orphan, except in the fairer manner until he reaches maturity. Give just weight and full measure, We never charge a soul with more than it can bear. When you speak, be just, even if it affects your own kinsmen. Fulfill the covenant of Allah. With such He charges you, in order that you remember.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

"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 speak, say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfill the covenant of Allah. This He commands you, that you may remember."

Wahiduddin Khan

Stay well away from an orphan's property, except with the best intentions, before he comes of age. Give full measure and weight, according to justice, We never charge a soul with more than it can bear, when you speak, observe justice, even though it concerns a close relative; and fulfil the covenants of God. That is what He has enjoined upon you so that you may take heed.

Talal Itani

And do not come near the property of the orphan, except with the best intentions, until he reaches maturity. And give full weight and full measure, equitably. We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity. And when you speak, be fair, even if it concerns a close relative. And fulfill your covenant with God. All this He has enjoined upon you, so that you may take heed.

Tafsir jalalayn

And that you do not approach the property of the orphan save with that, approach, which is fairer, namely, the one wherein lie his best interests, until he is of age, when he is sexually mature. And give full measure and full weight, in justice, fairly, desisting from any fraud. We do not charge any soul beyond its capacity, what it can bear in such [matters], so that if one makes a mistake in a measure or weight, and God knows that his intention had been well-meaning, then he suffers no blame, as is stated in one hadth. And if you speak, [to pass] a judgement or otherwise, then be just, by being truthful, even if he, the person receiving the statement or the one being accused in it, should be a kinsman. And fulfil God's covenant. This is what He has charged you with, that perhaps you will remember (read tadhakkarn or tadhkurn), you will be admonished.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The Prohibition of Consuming the Orphan's Property

Allah said;

وَلَا تَقْرَبُواْ مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلاَّ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ

"And come not near to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength;

Ata bin As-Sa'ib said that Sa`id bin Jubayr said that Ibn Abbas said,

"When Allah revealed,
وَلَا تَقْرَبُواْ مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلاَّ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ
(And come not near to the orphan's property, except to improve it). and,
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ الْيَتَامَى ظُلْمًا
(Verily, those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans) (4;10) those who were guardians of orphans separated their food from the orphans' food and their drink from their drink. When any of that food or drink remained, they used to keep it for the orphan until he or she ate it or it spoiled. This became difficult for the companions and they talked about it to the Messenger of Allah, and Allah sent down the Ayah,

وَيَسْـَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْيَتَـمَى قُلْ إِصْلَحٌ لَّهُمْ خَيْرٌ وَإِن تُخَالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوَنُكُمْ

And they ask you about 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." (2;220)

Thereafter, they mixed their food and drink with food and drink of the orphans."

Abu Dawud collected this statement.

Allah's statement,
حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ
(until he (or she) attains the age of full strength);

According to Ash-Sha`bi, Malik and several others among the Salaf,

refers to reaching the age of adolescence.
The Command to Give Full Measure and Full Weight with Justice

Allah's statement,

وَأَوْفُواْ الْكَيْلَ وَالْمِيزَانَ بِالْقِسْطِ

and give full measure and full weight with justice.

is a command to establish justice while giving and taking.

Allah has also warned against abandoning this commandment, when He said,

وَيْلٌ لِّلْمُطَفِّفِينَ

الَّذِينَ إِذَا اكْتَالُواْ عَلَى النَّاسِ يَسْتَوْفُونَ

وَإِذَا كَالُوهُمْ أَوْ وَّزَنُوهُمْ يُخْسِرُونَ

أَلا يَظُنُّ أُوْلَـيِكَ أَنَّهُمْ مَّبْعُوثُونَ

لِيَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

يَوْمَ يَقُومُ النَّاسُ لِرَبِّ الْعَـلَمِينَ

Woe to Al-Mutaffifin. Those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, demand full measure. And when they have to give by measure or weight to (other) men, give less than due. Do they not think that they will be resurrected (for reckoning). On a Great Day The Day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of all that exists. (83;1-6)

Allah destroyed an entire nation that was accustomed to giving less in weights and measures.

Allah said next,

لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلااَّ وُسْعَهَا

We burden not any person, but that which he can bear.

that is, whoever strives while pursuing his rights and giving other peoples' full rights, then there is no sin on him if he commits an honest mistake after trying his best and striving to do what is right.
The Order for Just Testimony

Allah said;

وَإِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَاعْدِلُواْ وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَى

And whenever you give your word, say the truth even if a near relative is concerned.

This is similar to His statement,

يَـأَيُّهَأ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّامِينَ للَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah as just witnesses. (5;8)

And there is a similar Ayah in Surah An-Nisa'.

So Allah commands justice in action and statement, with both near relatives and distant relatives. Indeed, Allah orders justice for everyone at all times and in all situations.
Fulfilling the Covenant of Allah is an Obligation

Allah said next,

وَبِعَهْدِ اللّهِ أَوْفُواْ

and fulfill the Covenant of Allah.

Ibn Jarir commented,

"Allah commands;Fulfill Allah's commandments that He has ordered you. You will do so when you obey Him in what He commanded, refrain from what He prohibited and abide by His Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger. This constitutes fulfilling the covenant of Allah.

ذَلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ


This He commands you, that you may remember.

Allah says here, that this is what He has ordered and commanded, and He stressed its importance for you,
لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
(...that you may remember), that you may be advised and thus refrain from what you used to do before this.