It means engaging in trade with it. Al-Dahhak said: It means seeking profit for him through it, while taking nothing from its profits.

“Until he reaches full maturity.” Al-Sha‘bi and Malik said: Full maturity is puberty, when good deeds begin to be recorded for him [and evil deeds are recorded against him] (1). Abu al-‘Aliyah said: It is when he acquires understanding and his strength becomes complete. Al-Kalbi said: Full maturity is from eighteen to thirty years of age. It was also said: until forty years of age; and it was said: until sixty years of age. Al-Dahhak said: Twenty years. Al-Suddi said: Thirty years. Mujahid said: Full maturity is thirty-three years.

The word ashudd is a plural form of shadd, like aqudd from qadd; it denotes the full development of a person’s youthful strength and age. From the same root comes shadd al-nahar, meaning the height of the day. It was also said that reaching full maturity means that sound judgment becomes evident after puberty.

The sense of the verse is: Do not approach the orphan’s property except in the manner that is best, continually until he reaches full maturity; then hand over his property to him, if he is sound in judgment.

“Give full measure and weight with justice”—that is, with fairness. “We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity”—that is, beyond its ability to give full measure and weight. In other words, the giver is not required to do more than what is due from him, nor is the one entitled to it required to accept less than his due, such that his soul would be distressed by it. Rather, each of them is commanded to do what he is able to do without hardship.

“And when you speak, be just”: be truthful in judgment and testimony, “even if it concerns a close relative”—that is, even if the person being judged or testified against is a relative. “And fulfil the covenant of Allah. This He has enjoined upon you, so that you may take heed”—that is, so that you may be admonished. Hamzah, al-Kisa’i, and Hafs recited tadhakkarun with an ungeminated dhal throughout the Quran, while the others recited it with a geminated dhal (2).

Ibn ‘Abbas said: These verses are decisive rulings in all the Scriptures. Nothing has abrogated them. They are prohibitions binding upon all the children of Adam, and they are the foundation of the Book. Whoever acts upon them will enter Paradise, and whoever abandons them will enter the Fire.

“And this is My straight path, so follow it. Do not follow other ways, lest they lead you away from His way. This is what He has enjoined upon you, so that you may become mindful of Allah. (153) Then We gave Moses the Book, completing Our favour upon the one who did good, explaining all things in detail, and as guidance and mercy, so that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord. (154)”

“And this”—that is, what I have enjoined upon you in these two verses—“is My path”: My way and My religion,