- “They ask you for a ruling concerning women. Say, ‘Allah gives you His ruling concerning them, as well as through what is recited to you in the Book regarding orphaned women to whom you do not give what has been prescribed for them and whom you either desire or decline to marry; and regarding vulnerable children; and that you must uphold justice for orphans. Whatever good you do, Allah is ever fully aware of it.’”
Seeking a ruling means that the questioner asks the one consulted to explain the religious ruling on the matter in question. Allah informs us that the believers sought a ruling from the Messenger ﷺ concerning matters relating to women. Allah Himself undertook to issue this ruling, saying, “Say, ‘Allah gives you His ruling concerning them.’” Therefore, act upon the rulings He has given you in every matter concerning women, fulfilling their rights and refraining from wronging them, both generally and in particular.
This is a general command encompassing everything Allah has legislated—whether command or prohibition—with respect to women: wives and others, young and old. After this general statement, He specifically enjoined care for the vulnerable among orphans and children, out of concern for them and to deter people from neglecting their rights. He said, “As well as through what is recited to you in the Book regarding orphaned women.” That is, He also gives you rulings through what is recited to you in the Book concerning female orphans. “To whom you do not give what has been prescribed for them.” This describes the actual circumstances prevalent at that time. When an orphan girl was under a man’s guardianship, he would deprive her of her rights and wrong her: either by consuming all or part of her wealth; preventing her from marrying so that he could benefit from her wealth, fearing that it would pass out of his hands if he married her off; or taking some of the bridal gift paid upon her marriage, whether by stipulation or otherwise. This occurred when he had no desire to marry her. Alternatively, he might desire to marry her because she possessed beauty and wealth, yet fail to give her a fair bridal gift, instead giving her less than she deserved. All of this is injustice encompassed by this text. Hence He said, “And whom you either desire or decline to marry”—that is, you either have no desire to marry them or desire to marry them, as illustrated above.
“And regarding vulnerable children.” That is, He gives you a ruling concerning vulnerable young children: you must give them their rights of inheritance and all other rights, and you must not wrongfully seize their wealth or exercise arbitrary control over it. “And that you must uphold justice for orphans”—that is, complete justice. This includes overseeing them by requiring them to obey Allah’s commands and fulfil what He has made obligatory for His servants. Their guardians are responsible for this and must require it of them.
It also includes looking after their worldly interests by developing their wealth, seeking what is most advantageous for them in its management, and approaching it only in the best manner. Likewise, guardians must not favor a friend or anyone else over them in marriage or any other matter in a way that diminishes their rights. This is part of Allah Most High’s mercy toward His servants: He emphatically urges that the interests of those unable to look after themselves, because of their weakness and the loss of their fathers, be properly served.
He then encouraged benevolence in general, saying, “Whatever good you do”—for orphans or anyone else, whether its benefit extends to others or remains with the doer—“Allah is ever fully aware of it.” That is, His knowledge encompasses the deeds of all who do good, whether little or much, good or otherwise, and He will recompense each person according to his deeds.