Sura-2 [Al-Baqara medina 87]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ...

2:220. (Their bearings) on this life and the Hereafter.

C243. Gambling and intemperance are social as well as individual sins. They may ruin us in our ordinary every-day worldly life, as well as our spiritual future.

In case it is suggested that there is no harm in a little indulgence, we are asked to think over all its aspects, social and individual, - worldly and spiritual.

... وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْيَتَامَى...

They ask thee concerning orphans.

C244. For Orphans the best rule is to keep their property, household, and accounts separate, lest there should be any temptation to get a personal advantage to their guardian by mixing them with the guardian’s property, household accounts-also to keep clear of any ideas of marriage, where this fiduciary relation exist.

Quran 6:152 may possibly suggest complete separation. But it may be an economy and an advantage to the orphan to have his property and accounts administered with guardian’s property and accounts and to have him live in the guardian’s household, or to marry into the guardian’s family, especially where the orphan’s property is small and he or she has no other friend.

The test is:

what is best in the orphan’s interest?

If the guardian does fall into temptation, even if human law does not detect him, he is told he is sinning in Allah’s sight and that should keep him straight.

... قُلْ إِصْلاَحٌ لَّهُمْ خَيْرٌ وَإِنْ تُخَالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ...

Say:

"The best thing to do is what is for their good; if ye mix their affairs with yours, they are your brethren;

... وَاللّهُ يَعْلَمُ الْمُفْسِدَ مِنَ الْمُصْلِحِ...

but Allah knows the man who means mischief from the man who means good.

... وَلَوْ شَاء اللّهُ لأعْنَتَكُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿٢٢٠﴾

And if Allah had wished, He could have put you into difficulties:

He is indeed Exalted in Power, Wise."

C245. The idea in Islam is not to make Allah’s Law a burdensome fetter, but to ease a man’s path in all kinds of difficult situations by putting him on his honour and trusting him.

The strictest probity is demanded of him, but if he falls short of it, he is told that he cannot escape Allah’s punishment even though he may evade human punishment.

Asad’s Version:

2: 220

ASad .........And they will ask thee about orphans. Say: “To improve their condition is best.” And if you share their life, [remember that] they are your brethren [note 206]: for God distinguishes between him who spoils things and him who improves. …………

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."

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.

Transliteration Fid dunya_ wal a_khirah(ti), wa yas'alu_naka 'anil yata_ma_ qul isla_hul lahum khair(un), fa in tukha_litu_hum fa ikhwa_nukum, walla_hu ya'lamul mufsida minal muslih(i), wa lau sya_'alla_hu la'a'natakum innalla_ha 'azizun hakim(un).

[ Asad’s note 206 – The implication is that if one shares the life of an orphan in his charge, one is permitted to benefit by such as association – for instance, through a business partnership – provided this does not damage the orphan’s interests in any way.]