“Do not approach the orphan’s property except in the manner that is best, until he reaches full maturity. Give full measure and weight with justice. We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity. When you speak, be just, even if a close relative is concerned. And fulfill the covenant of Allah. This He has enjoined upon you, so that you may take heed. Indeed, this is My straight path, so follow it; and do not follow other paths, for they will cause you to stray from His path. This He has enjoined upon you, so that you may be mindful of Him.”
“Do not approach the orphan’s property” by consuming it, exchanging it through a transaction biased in your own favor, or taking it without due cause. “Except in the manner that is best”—that is, only in a manner that improves their property and benefits them. This indicates that it is impermissible to approach or manage it in a manner that harms the orphans, or in a manner that neither harms nor benefits them. “Until he reaches full maturity”—that is, until the orphan attains puberty and sound judgment and knows how to manage property. Once he reaches full maturity, his property is handed over to him, and he may manage it at his own discretion.
This indicates that before reaching full maturity, an orphan is legally restricted from managing his property, that his guardian must administer it in the manner most advantageous to him, and that this restriction ends when he reaches full maturity.
“Give full measure and weight with justice”—that is, with fairness and complete fulfillment. If you strive to do so, then “We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity”—that is, beyond what it can bear without undue hardship. Thus, if someone strives to give full measure and weight but an unintentional shortfall occurs without negligence on his part, Allah is Ever-Pardoning, All-Forgiving (1).
Scholars of legal theory have cited this verse and others like it as evidence that Allah does not burden anyone with what they are incapable of bearing, and that whoever is mindful of Allah regarding what He has commanded and does whatever lies within his ability bears no blame for what lies beyond it.
“When you speak”—whether giving judgment among people, settling disputes between them, or discussing doctrines and circumstances—“be just” in your words. Observe truthfulness concerning those you love and those you dislike, be equitable, and do not conceal what must be made clear. Indeed, bias against someone you dislike when speaking about him or his views is forbidden injustice.
Moreover, when a scholar discusses the doctrines of the people of religious innovation, he must give everyone his due, clarify the truth and falsehood they contain, and assess how near to or far from the truth they are.
The jurists have stated that a judge must treat both litigants equally in the way he looks at and addresses them. “And fulfill the covenant of Allah.” This includes the covenant His servants have made with Him to uphold and faithfully fulfill His rights, as well as covenants concluded among people. All such covenants must be fulfilled, and it is forbidden to break or violate them.
“This”—meaning the rulings mentioned—“He has enjoined upon you, so that you may take heed” of the rulings He has explained to you, duly observe Allah’s injunction to you, and recognize the wisdom and rulings it contains.
After explaining many great commands and important laws, He referred to them and to what is more comprehensive than them, saying: “Indeed, this is My straight path.” That is, these rulings and others like them, which Allah has explained in His Book and made clear to His servants, constitute Allah’s path leading to Him and to the abode of His honor—a balanced, easy, and direct path.
“So follow it,” that you may attain triumph and success and realize your hopes and joys. “And do not follow other paths”—that is, paths opposed to this one—“for they will cause you to stray from His path”: they will lead you away from it and scatter you to the right and left. Once you stray from the straight path, nothing remains but roads leading to the Hellfire.
“This He has enjoined upon you, so that you may be mindful of Him.” If you uphold what Allah has explained to you in knowledge and practice, you will become among those mindful of Him and among Allah’s successful servants. He refers to the path in the singular and ascribes it to Himself because it is the one path leading to Him, and Allah is the One who helps those who tread it to follow it.