Page 34 - The Mercy of Believers

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THE MERCY OF BELIEVERS

hereafter, believers carefully conserve the wealth of or-
phans until they reach intellectual maturity. When or-
phans grow old and mature enough to exercise rational
and healthy judgement, believers hand over their prop-
erty to them. The conditions of this are specified in the
Qur'an as follows:

Keep a close check on orphans until they reach a
marriageable age, then if you perceive that they have
sound judgement hand over their property to them.
Do not consume it extravagantly and precipitately
before they come of age. Those who are wealthy
should abstain from it altogether. Those who are
poor should use it sensibly and correctly. When you
hand over their property to them ensure that there
are witnesses on their behalf. Allah suffices as a
Reckoner. (Surat an-Nisa': 6)
Believers comply exactly with all these commands re-
lating to the care and education of orphans. A comparison
made between the way people in societies distant from
religion treat orphans and the attitude of believers shows
the nobleness of Qur'anic morality.

Mercy Shown to Debtors

Another very good example of the mercy peculiar to
believers is the attitude they assume towards debtors.
Allah relates the proper attitude one has to adopt to
debtors in the following verse:
If someone is in difficult circumstances, there
should be a deferral until things are easier. But mak-
ing a free gift of it would be better for you if you