Page 158 - An Index to the Qur'an

downcast, darkened by debasement, that will be ents receives a sixth of what you leave if you
the Day which they were promised. (70:43-44) have children. If you are childless and your heirs
are your parents your mother receives a third. If
DEBT - LOAN you have brothers or sisters your mother receives
If someone is in difficult circumstances, there a sixth, after any bequest you make or any debts.
should be a deferral until things are easier. But With regard to your fathers and your sons, you
making a free gift of it would be better for you if do not know which of them is going to benefit
you only knew. (2:280) you more. These are obligatory shares from
You who believe! When you take on a debt for a Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (4:11)
specified period, write it down. A writer should You receive half of what your wives leave if they
write it down between you justly. No writer are childless. If they have children you receive a
should refuse to write; as Allah has taught him, quarter of what they leave after any bequest they
so he should write. The one incurring the debt make or any debts. They receive a quarter of
should dictate and should have fear of Allah his what you leave if you are childless. If you have
Lord and not reduce it in any way. If the person children they receive an eighth of what you leave
incurring the debt is incompetent or weak or un- after any bequest you make or any debts. If a
able to dictate, then his guardian should dictate man or woman has no direct heirs, but has a
for him justly. Two men among you should act as brother or sister, each of them receives a sixth. If
witnesses. But if there are not two men, then a there are more than that they share in a third after
man and two women with whom you are satis- any bequest you make or any debts, making sure
fied as witnesses; then if one of them forgets, the that no one’s rights are prejudiced. This is an in-
other can remind her. Witnesses should not re- struction from Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-
fuse when they are called upon. Do not think it Forbearing. (4:12)
too trivial to write down, whether small or large, Allah made a covenant with the tribe of Israel
with the date that it falls due. Doing that is more and We raised up twelve leaders from among
just in Allah’s sight and more helpful when bear- them. Allah said, ‘I am with you. If you perform
ing witness and more likely to eliminate any prayer and give the alms, and believe in My
doubt–unless it is an immediate transaction hand Messengers and respect and support them, and
to hand, taken and given without delay. There is make a generous loan to Allah, I will erase your
nothing wrong in your not writing that down. wrong actions from you and admit you into
Call witnesses when you trade. Neither writer Gardens with rivers flowing under them. Any of
nor witness should be put under pressure. If you you who disbelieve after that have gone astray
do that, it is deviancy on your part. Have fear of from the right way.’ (5:12)
Allah and Allah will give you knowledge. Allah The alms are for: the poor, the destitute, those
has knowledge of all things. (2:282) who collect it, reconciling people’s hearts, free-
If you are on a journey and cannot find a writer, ing slaves, those in debt, spending in the Way of
something can be left as a security. If you leave Allah, and travellers. It is a legal obligation from
things on trust with one another the one who is Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (9:60)
trusted must deliver up his trust and have fear of Or do you ask them for a wage so they are
Allah his Lord. Do not conceal testimony. If weighed down with debt? (52:40)
someone does conceal it, his heart commits a Who will make a good loan to Allah so that He
crime. Allah knows what you do. (2:283) may multiply it for him? He will have a generous
Allah instructs you regarding your children: A reward. (57:11)
male receives the same as the share of two fe- If you make a generous loan to Allah He will
males. If there are more than two daughters they multiply it for you and forgive you. Allah is All-
receive two-thirds of what you leave. If she is one Thankful, Most Forbearing. (64:17)
on her own she receives a half. Each of your par- Or do you ask them for a wage so they are
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