4. Sura an-Nisa

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَإِذَا حَضَرَ الْقِسْمَةَ أُوْلُواْ الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينُ فَارْزُقُوهُم مِّنْهُ ...  

4: 8.     But if at the time of division other relatives, of orphans, or poor, are present, feed them out of the (property),

... وَقُولُواْ لَهُمْ قَوْلاً مَّعْرُوفًا ﴿٨﴾  

and speak to them words of kindness and justice.

وَلْيَخْشَ الَّذِينَ لَوْ تَرَكُواْ مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّةً ضِعَافًا خَافُواْ عَلَيْهِمْ ...  

4: 9.     Let those (disposing of an estate) have the same fear in their minds as they would have for their own if they had left a helpless family behind:

... فَلْيَتَّقُوا اللّهَ وَلْيَقُولُواْ قَوْلاً سَدِيدًا ﴿٩﴾

let them fear Allah, and speak words of appropriate (comfort).

C515. It is a touching argument addressed to those who have to divide an estate.

'How anxious would you be if you had left a helpless family behind?'

If others do so, help and be kind.

Asad’s Version:

4: 8 And when [other] near of kin and orphans and needy persons are present at the distribution [of inheritance], find them something thereof for their sustenance, and speak unto them in a kindly way.

4:9 and let them stand in awe [ of God] , those [legal heirs] -who, if they [themselves] had to leave behind weak offspring, would feel fear on their account - and let them remain conscious of God, and let them speak [to the poor] in a just manner.