Page 430 - An Index to the Qur'an

If other relatives or orphans or poor people at- We have appointed heirs for everything that par-
tend the sharing-out, provide for them out of it ents and relatives leave. If you have a bond with
and speak to them correctly and courteously. people, give them their share. Allah is a witness of
(4:8) all things. (4:33)
People should show concern in the same way They request from you a ruling. Say: ‘Allah gives
that they would fear for small children if they you a ruling about people who die without direct
were to die leaving them behind. They should heirs: If a man dies childless but has a sister she
have fear of Allah and say words that are appro- receives half of what he leaves, and he is her heir
priate. (4:9) if she dies childless. If there are two sisters they
People who consume the property of orphans receive two-thirds of what he leaves. If there are
wrongfully consume nothing in their bellies ex- brothers and sisters the males receive the share of
cept fire. They will roast in a Searing Blaze.(4:10) two females. Allah makes things clear to you so
Allah instructs you regarding your children: A you will not go astray. Allah has knowledge of all
male receives the same as the share of two fe- things.’ (4:176)
males. If there are more than two daughters they You who believe! When one of you is near to death
receive two-thirds of what you leave. If she is one and makes a will, two just men from among you
on her own she receives a half. Each of your par- should act as witnesses; or, if you are travelling
ents receives a sixth of what you leave if you when the misfortune of death occurs, two men
have children. If you are childless and your heirs who are strangers to you. You should detain them
are your parents your mother receives a third. If after prayer and, if you are doubtful, they should
you have brothers or sisters your mother receives swear by Allah: ‘We will not sell it for any price,
a sixth, after any bequest you make or any debts. even to a near relative, and we will not conceal the
With regard to your fathers and your sons, you do testimony of Allah. If we did we would indeed be
not know which of them is going to benefit you wrongdoers.’ (5:106)
more. These are obligatory shares from Allah. If it then comes to light that the two of them have
Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (4:11) merited the allegation of wrongdoing, two others
You receive half of what your wives leave if they who have the most right to do so should take their
are childless. If they have children you receive a place and swear by Allah: ‘Our testimony is truer
quarter of what they leave after any bequest they than their testimony. We have not committed per-
make or any debts. They receive a quarter of what jury. If we had we would indeed be wrongdoers.’
you leave if you are childless. If you have children (5:107)
they receive an eighth of what you leave after any That makes it more likely that they will give their
bequest you make or any debts. If a man or woman evidence properly or be afraid that their oaths will
has no direct heirs, but has a brother or sister, each be refuted by subsequent oaths. Have fear of Allah
of them receives a sixth. If there are more than that and listen carefully. Allah does not guide deviant
they share in a third after any bequest you make or people. 5:108)
any debts, making sure that no one’s rights are prej-
udiced. This is an instruction from Allah. Allah is LEADER
All-Knowing, All-Forbearing. (4:12) If they break their oaths after making their treaty
You who believe! It is not lawful for you to inherit and defame your religion, then fight the leaders of
women by force. Nor may you treat them harshly disbelief–they have no binding oaths–so that hope-
so that you can make off with part of what you fully they will stop. (9:12)
have given them, unless they commit an act of fla- He (Pharaoh) will go ahead of his people on the
grant indecency. Live together with them correctly Day of Rising and lead them down into the Fire.
and courteously. If you dislike them, it may well be What an evil watering-hole to be led to! (11:98)
that you dislike something in which Allah has We made them leaders, guiding by Our command,
placed a lot of good. (4:19) and revealed to them how to do good actions and
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