Women (Al-Nesaa)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ O mankind! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul. He created its mate from it and from the two of them spread countless men and women [throughout the earth]. Fear God, in whose name you appeal to one another, and be mindful of your obligations in respect of ties of kinship. God is always watching over you. 1 And give unto the orphans their substance, and substitute not the bad for the good; and devour not their substance by adding it to your substance; verily that is a great crime. 2 And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice]. 3 And give women their dowries as a free gift, but if they of themselves be pleased to give up to you a portion of it, then eat it with enjoyment and with wholesome result. 4 And do not entrust to those who are weak of judgment the possessions which God has placed in your charge for [their] support; but let them have their sustenance therefrom, and clothe them, and speak unto them in a kindly way. 5 And examine the orphans until they attain the age of wedlock, then if ye perceive in them a discretion, hand over unto them their substance, and consume it not extravagantly or hastily for fear that they may grow. And whosoever is rich, let him abstain, and whosoever is needy let him take thereof reputably. And when ye hand over their substance unto them, call in witnesses in their presence, and sufficeth Allah as a Reckoner. 6 Men shall have a portion of what the parents and the near relatives leave, and women shall have a portion of what the parents and the near relatives leave, whether there is little or much of it; a stated portion. 7 If other near of kin orphans and needy are pre sent at the time of division of inheritance give them some thing of it and speak to them kindly. 8 And let them stand in awe [of God,] those [legal heirs] - who, if they [themselves] had to leave behind weak offspring, would feel fear on their account - and let them remain conscious of God, and let them speak [to the poor] in a just manner. 9 Those who devour the possessions of the orphans unjustly devour only fire, and will surely burn in Hell. 10