ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Al Mizan an Exegesis of the Quran (volume Seven) Volume 7: Surah An-nisaa, Verses 2-6 And give to the orphans their property, and do not substitute worthless 9things) for (their) good (ones), and do not devour their property (as an addition) to your own property; this is surely a great crime (2).

And if you fear that you can not act equitable towards orphans, then marry such (other) women as seem good to you, two and three and four; but if you fear that you will not do justice (between them), then (marry) only one or what your right hands possess; this is nearer that you may not deviate from the right course (3). And give women their dowries as 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 give away your property which Allah has made for you a (means of) support to the weak of understanding, and maintain them out of it, and clothe them and speak to them with kind words (5).

And test the orphans until they reach (age of) marriage, then if you find in them maturity of intellect, make over to them their property, and do not consume it extravagantly and hastily, lest they attain to full age; and whoever is rich, let him abstain altogether, and whoever is poor, let him eat reasonably; then when you make over to them their property, call witnesses in their presence; and Allah is enough as a Reckoned (6).

GENERAL COMMENT The verses are part of the prologue, which began with the first verse. The aim is to pave the way for the laws of inheritance and basic rules of marriage like the number of wives allowed and the women within prohibited degree. These two are among the greatest and most important laws governing human society; and they have profound effect on its formation and continuation. Matrimony controls affinity and genealogy of society members, and deeply affects other constituent factors.

Inheritance regulates the distribution of wealth existing in the world - the factor on which a society depends for its life and continuity. As a sine qua non the chapter prohibits fornication and illicit sexual relations, and forbids devouring others' property unlawfully - except that it is a trade deal with the parties' consent. In this way two fundamental principles have been established for regulating the two most important aspects of society, i.e., the subjects of affinity and property.