وَإِذَا حَضَرَ ٱلْقِسْمَةَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينُ فَٱرْزُقُوهُم مِّنْهُ وَقُولُوا۟ لَهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا 8
Translations
And when [other] relatives and orphans and the needy are present at the [time of] division, then provide for them [something] out of it [i.e., the estate] and speak to them words of appropriate kindness.
Transliteration
Wa idha hadara al-qismata ulu al-qurba wa al-yatama wa al-masakinu faruzuquhum minhu wa qulu lahum qawlan ma'rufa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands believers to provide sustenance and kind treatment to relatives, orphans, and the poor when dividing an estate or inheritance. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this is a directive to show mercy and generosity toward vulnerable members of society during the distribution of wealth, ensuring they receive a share or gift from the division, even if they have no legal claim. The phrase 'qawlan ma'rufa' (kind words) emphasizes that compassion in speech must accompany material provision.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Nisa addresses matters of inheritance, orphans' rights, and family law in Islamic society. This ayah specifically appears within the section dealing with orphans' property (4:2-10), providing guidance on ethical treatment of vulnerable groups during wealth distribution, reflecting Medina's context of establishing just social structures.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895). Additionally, the hadith about the seven categories in the shade of Allah's throne includes those who feed the poor and needy (Sahih Bukhari 660).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true wealth lies in sharing with those in need, and that our moral character is demonstrated through both our actions toward the vulnerable and our gentle manner of speaking to them. In modern context, it emphasizes that financial transactions should never overshadow our responsibility to show mercy and dignity to society's most needy members.