Anam 152 | aamsaafanquran's Blog

Anam 152

152- AND DO NOT APPROACH THE MONEY OF THE ORPHANS EXCEPT TO DO GOOD AND UNTIL THEY GROW UP TO BE STRONG AND ABLE, AND MEASURE UP AND WEIGHT JUSTLY, WE DO NOT DEMAND FROM A SOUL MORE THAN WHAT IT CAN BEAR, AND WHEN YOU SPEAK, BE JUST, EVEN IF HE WAS A CLOSE KIN, AND FULFILL ALLAH’S COVENANT, THIS IS WHAT ALLAH ADVISES YOU TO DO, SO THAT YOU MAY REMEMBER.

There are a number of instructions for the Muslims in this Ayah:

1-    Whenever we have any dealings with the orphans and their money, particularly if we are their guardians, we should do our best to do what is good for them.  This largely depends on our intentions, which is known to Allah the Highest.  “AND KNOW THAT ALLAH KNOWS WHAT IS INSIDE YOU, THEREFORE TAKE HEED OF HIM”.  (S:2 A:235)

When they are grown up and are of sound mind and able to look after their own affairs, then we may give them their money and property to look after, Allah the Highest said: “AND TEST THE ORPHANS UNTIL THEY REACH PUBERTY, IF YOU FIND THEM OF SOUND JUDGMENT, GIVE THEM THEIR MONEY, AND DO NOT TAKE IT YOURSELVES BY SPENDING IT WASTEFULLY AND HASTILY BEFORE THEY GROW UP.  LET THOSE WHO ARE RICH NOT TAKE THE WEALTH OF THE ORPHANS FOR THEMSELVES, AND LET THOSE WHO ARE POOR TAKE ONLY A FAIR PORTION.  WHEN YOU GIVE THEM THEIR WEALTH, LET THERE BE WITNESSES OVER IT, AND ALLAH IS SUFFICIENT TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF ALL YOUR ACTIONS”.  (S:4 A:6)

It is also the duty of the guardian to teach the orphans how to manage their money and property.  In the past, a person of 16 years or 18 years of age could work, earn a living and manage his money as be married too.  Life is becoming more complicated and we need to be educated for longer, and consequently the orphans might need to remain in guardianship for longer.

2-    Honesty in dealings and trading.  Starting with giving the right amount bought, to the right quality and time etc.  Industry and business are getting more complex, therefore, cheating and deceiving in more involved than the weight and volume, but it is all cheating.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Whoever cheats us is not one of us”.

Cheating was one of the main reasons for the destruction of the People of Madian.  “GIVE THE MEASURE AND WEIGHTS IN FULL, AND DO NOT CHEAT PEOPLE WITH THEIR SINS, AND DO NOT CAUSE MISCHIEF ON EARTH AFTER IT HAS BEEN PUT RIGHT, THIS IS BETTER FOR YOU IF YOU ARE TRUE BELIEVERS”.  (S:7 A:85)

And said: “WOE FOR THE CHEATERS * THOSE WHOM WHEN THEY HAVE GOODS MEASURED FOR THEM THEY TAKE IT IN FULL * AND IF THEY MEASURE OR WEIGH FOR THEM, THEY GIVE THEM LESS * DO THEY NOT KNOW THAT THEY ARE TO BE RESURRECTED * ON A GREAT DAY * THE DAY WHEN ALL MANKIND WILL RISE BEFORE THE LORD OF ALL BEINGS”.  (S:83 A:1-6)

3-    One should be just and right in whatever one says, even if one is speaking against a close kin, or even one’s self.   Whenever we give a testimony about someone or something, we should be right and just.  Even if we are giving an opinion about something, it should be what we believe to be right.  “YOU WHO BELIEVE, STAND FIRMLY FOR ALLAH AND LET YOUR TESTIMONY BE JUST. AND DO NOT LET THE HATRED OF PEOPLE MAKE YOU TRANSGRESS AND BE UNJUST, BE JUST FOR THIS IS NEARER TO PIETY”.  (S:5 A:8)

4-    We should fulfill our covenants with Allah the Highest; and they are many, starting with worshipping no partners by Him, and going on to observing Allah’s commands and following the way He wants us to live.

Fulfilling these commands is fulfilling some of the covenants with Allah the Highest.