Al-Baqara 2:282
The Cow · ayah 282 of 286
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanooitha tadayantum bidaynin ila ajalin musammanfaktuboohu walyaktub baynakum katibun bilAAadliwala ya/ba katibun an yaktuba kamaAAallamahu Allahu falyaktub walyumlili allatheeAAalayhi alhaqqu walyattaqi Allaha rabbahu walayabkhas minhu shay-an fa-in kana allathee AAalayhialhaqqu safeehan aw daAAeefan aw la yastateeAAuan yumilla huwa falyumlil waliyyuhu bilAAadli wastashhidooshaheedayni min rijalikum fa-in lam yakoonarajulayni farajulun wamraatani mimman tardawnamina ashshuhada-i an tadilla ihdahumafatuthakkira ihdahuma al-okhrawala ya/ba ashshuhadao itha maduAAoo wala tas-amoo an taktuboohu sagheeran awkabeeran ila ajalihi thalikum aqsatu AAindaAllahi waaqwamu lishshahadati waadnaalla tartaboo illa an takoona tijaratanhadiratan tudeeroonaha baynakum falaysa AAalaykumjunahun alla taktubooha waashhidoo ithatabayaAAtum wala yudarra katibun walashaheedun wa-in tafAAaloo fa-innahu fusooqun bikum wattaqooAllaha wayuAAallimukumu Allahu wallahubikulli shay-in AAaleem
Saheeh International translation
Other English translations
Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+
"You who believe, when you contract a debt for a stated term, put it down in writing: have a scribe write it down justly between you. No scribe should refuse to write: let him write as God has taught him, let the debtor dictate, and let him fear God, his Lord, and not diminish [the debt] at all. If the debtor is feeble-minded, weak, or unable to dictate, then let his guardian dictate justly. Call in two men as witnesses. If two men are not there, then call one man and two women out of those you approve as witnesses, so that if one of the two women should forget the other can remind her. Let the witnesses not refuse when they are summoned. Do not disdain to write the debt down, be it small or large, along with the time it falls due: this way is more equitable in God’s eyes, more reliable as testimony, and more likely to prevent doubts arising between you. But if the merchandise is there and you hand it over, there is no blame on you if you do not write it down. Have witnesses present whenever you trade with one another, and let no harm be done to either scribe or witness, for if you did cause them harm, it would be a crime on your part. Be mindful of God, and He will teach you: He has full knowledge of everything."
Pickthall (classic)+
"O ye who believe! When ye contract a debt for a fixed term, record it in writing. Let a scribe record it in writing between you in (terms of) equity. No scribe should refuse to write as Allah hath taught him, so let him write, and let him who incurreth the debt dictate, and let him observe his duty to Allah his Lord, and diminish naught thereof. But if he who oweth the debt is of low understanding, or weak, or unable himself to dictate, then let the guardian of his interests dictate in (terms of) equity. And call to witness, from among your men, two witnesses. And if two men be not (at hand) then a man and two women, of such as ye approve as witnesses, so that if the one erreth (through forgetfulness) the other will remember. And the witnesses must not refuse when they are summoned. Be not averse to writing down (the contract) whether it be small or great, with (record of) the term thereof. That is more equitable in the sight of Allah and more sure for testimony, and the best way of avoiding doubt between you; save only in the case when it is actual merchandise which ye transfer among yourselves from hand to hand. In that case it is no sin for you if ye write it not. And have witnesses when ye sell one to another, and let no harm be done to scribe or witness. If ye do (harm to them) lo! it is a sin in you. Observe your duty to Allah. Allah is teaching you. And Allah is knower of all things."
Yusuf Ali (classic)+
"O ye who believe! When ye deal with each other, in transactions involving future obligations in a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing Let a scribe write down faithfully as between the parties: let not the scribe refuse to write: as Allah Has taught him, so let him write. Let him who incurs the liability dictate, but let him fear His Lord Allah, and not diminish aught of what he owes. If they party liable is mentally deficient, or weak, or unable Himself to dictate, Let his guardian dictate faithfully, and get two witnesses, out of your own men, and if there are not two men, then a man and two women, such as ye choose, for witnesses, so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her. The witnesses should not refuse when they are called on (For evidence). Disdain not to reduce to writing (your contract) for a future period, whether it be small or big: it is juster in the sight of Allah, More suitable as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves but if it be a transaction which ye carry out on the spot among yourselves, there is no blame on you if ye reduce it not to writing. But take witness whenever ye make a commercial contract; and let neither scribe nor witness suffer harm. If ye do (such harm), it would be wickedness in you. So fear Allah; For it is Good that teaches you. And Allah is well acquainted with all things. If ye are on a journey, and cannot find a scribe, a pledge with possession (may serve the purpose). And if one of you deposits a thing on trust with another, let the trustee (faithfully) discharge his trust, and let him Fear his Lord conceal not evidence; for whoever conceals it, - his heart is tainted with sin. And Allah knoweth all that ye do."