Verse 2:221 | inQuran

English - Hazrat Molavi Sher Ali ^ra

Upon this world and the next. And they ask thee concerning the orphans. Say: ‘Promotion of their welfare is an act of great goodness. And if you intermix with them, they are your brethren. And Allah knows the mischief-maker from the reformer. And if Allah had so willed, He would have put you to hardship. Surely, Allah is Mighty, Wise.’

English - Five Volume Translation

Yes, that you may reflect upon this world and the next. And they ask thee concerning [a]the orphans. Say: ‘Promotion of their welfare is an act of great goodness. And if you intermix with them, they are your brethren. And Allah knows the mischief-maker from the reformer. And if Allah had willed, He would have put you to hardship. Surely, Allah is Mighty and Wise.’[227]

4:128; 89:18; 93:10; 107:3.

Important Words:

الیتامی (orphans) is the plural of یتیم which is derived from یتم meaning he fell short of a thing, feeling weak and tired; he lost his father in childhood. Thus یتیم is one whose father has died and who has not yet attained the age of puberty, which, according to Islamic jurisprudence, is 18 years. The word یتیم is also used about a thing which is without equal (Aqrab & Mufradat).

تخالطوھم (intermix with them) is derived from خلط. They say خلط الشیء بالشیء i.e. he mixed up one thing with the other. خالطهmeans, he mixed or mingled or associated with him; he mixed or joined with him in his affairs; he became co-partner with him. خالط قلبه ھم means, anxiety pervaded his heart (Aqrab & Lane).

اعنتکم (put you to hardship) is derived from عنت which means, he fell into difficulty or hardship. اعنته means, he put him to hardship; he burdened him with a task that was beyond his power (Aqrab).

Commentary:

The opening words of this verse apparently seem to be misplaced, for they are connected not with the following words of the verse in which they are placed, but with the concluding words of the previous one. The complete sentence, therefore, should read like this, "thus Allah makes His commandments clear to you that you may reflect upon this world and the next". If read like this, the clause would mean that God has refrained from issuing a definite commandment with regard to war expenditure and has simply ordered you to retain such portion of your possessions as you may require for your worldly needs and spend the balance in the cause of religion so that you may be trained to think over and judge the comparative value of this world and the next and act accordingly. The words, "upon this world and the next" have been separated from the preceding words to provide a pause with the object of impressing the importance of the matter on the mind of the listener or reader.

As Quranic verses follow a natural order––an order prompted and followed by the innermost nature of the addressee––this verse follows in the wake of the verses dealing with war. As the war leaves behind orphans, this verse lays down basic instructions as to how they should be treated and looked after. Muslims are told that the bringing up of orphans is a very delicate affair and an important social duty. Orphans should be brought up in the manner most conducive to their greatest good, i.e. their physical, moral and spiritual welfare. They should be treated as members of the family; and their property properly looked after and steps taken to augment it. The words, and if you intermix with them, they are your brethren, signify not only permission but exhortation. The exhortation lies in the word "brethren" which is meant to point to Muslims to allow orphans to live as members of their family, this being not only wise and humane but also based on considerations of convenience. If orphans had been directed to be kept aloof and their property managed on a strictly legal basis, it would have, in most cases, entailed a good deal of unnecessary inconvenience and trouble for both parties concerned.

The words, Allah knows the mischief-maker from the reformer, serve as a stern warning to the guardians of orphans. Anything they do is sure to come to the knowledge of God. Nay, God knows even the hidden things of the human heart. So they should beware of playing the part of mischief-makers in the garb of reformers.

God’s attributes of "Powerful" and "Wise" placed at the end of the verse contain a general admonition to guardians of orphans to be very careful about their dealings with them. They should not delude themselves with the idea that, being weak and not yet possessed of proper understanding, the orphans are entirely at their mercy and that they can treat them as they like. For, if orphans are not strong and wise, God certainly is, and He would call them to account if they behaved unkindly or dishonestly towards these helpless and friendless creatures of His. By mentioning God’s attributes of "Powerful" and "Wise" the Quran also means to exhort Muslims to look after orphans in such a way and give them such good education and training as should help them to grow strong and wise and become useful members of the community.

English - Short Commentary Translation

Upon this world and the next. And they ask thee concerning [a]the orphans. Say, ‘Promotion of their welfare is an act of great goodness.[266] And if you intermix with them, they are your brethren. And Allah knows him who seeks to make mischief apart from him who seeks to promote the welfare of the orphans. And if Allah had so willed, He would have put you to hardship. Surely, Allah is Mighty and Wise.’

اردو ترجمہ مرزا طاہر احمد خلیفة المسیح الرابعؒ

دنیا کے بارہ میں بھی اور آخرت کے بارہ میں بھی۔ اور وہ تجھ سے یتیموں کے بارے میں پوچھتے ہیں۔ تُو کہہ دے ان کی اصلاح اچھی بات ہے۔ اور اگر تم ان کے ساتھ مل جل کر رہو تو وہ تمہارے بھائی بند ہی ہیں۔ اور اللہ فساد کرنے والے کا اصلاح کرنے والے سے فرق جانتا ہے۔ اور اگر اللہ چاہتا تو تمہیں ضرور مشکل میں ڈال دیتا۔ یقیناً اللہ کامل غلبہ والا (اور) حکمت والا ہے۔

French

– sur ce monde et sur l’autre. Ils t’interrogent aussi au sujet des orphelins. Dis-leur : « C’est un acte de grande bonté que de promouvoir leur bien-être ; et si vous entretenez des relations avec eux, n’oubliez pas qu’ils sont vos frères. Et Allāh sait distinguer celui qui veut créer du désordre de celui qui désire promouvoir le bien-être des orphelins. Et si Allāh l’avait voulu, Il vous aurait fait subir l’adversité. Assurément, Allāh est Puissant et Sage. »

German

über diese Welt und die künftige. Und sie fragen dich über die Waisen. Sprich: "Förderung ihrer Wohlfahrt ist (eine Tat) großer Güte." Und wenn ihr mit ihnen enge Beziehungen eingeht, so sind sie eure Brüder. Und Allah unterscheidet wohl den Unheilstifter vom Friedensstifter. Und hätte Allah gewollt, Er hätte es euch schwer gemacht. Wahrlich, Allah ist allmächtig, allweise.

Chinese

关于今世和后世。他们 (也)问你如何对待[a]孤儿。你 (告诉他们) 说: “增进他们的福利是很大的善功。倘若你们与他们混合起来 (生活), (那并没有什么害处,) 因为他们就是你们的弟兄。安拉辨识恶作剧者和增进 (孤儿) 福利者之间的差异。如果他意欲, 则他使你们遭遇艰难。安拉确实是最优胜的, 最有智慧的。”[164]

Italian

Su questo mondo e sul prossimo. E ti interrogano sugli orfani. Dì: «Provvedere al loro benessere è un atto di grande bontà. E se trattate con loro, sono vostri fratelli. E Allah distingue il seminatore di zizzania dal riformatore. E se Allah avesse voluto, vi avrebbe messo alla prova. Certamente, Allah è Potente, Saggio.»

Spanish

Sobre este mundo y el futuro. Y te preguntan sobre los huérfanos. Diles: “La defensa de su bienestar es un acto de la máxima bondad. Y si os mezcláis con ellos, son vuestros hermanos. Y Al-lah distingue al que obra mal del que obra bien. Y si Al-lah lo quisiera podría poneros a dura prueba. En verdad, Al-lah es Todopoderoso, Sabio”.

اردو تفسیرِ صغیر

اس جہان کے بارے میں (بھی) اور آخرت کے بارے میں بھی۔ اور یہ (لوگ) تجھ سے یتامی کے بارے میں (بھی) پوچھتے ہیں۔ تو کہہ دے (کہ) ان کی اصلاح بہت اچھا کام ہے‘ اور اگر تم ان سے مل جل کر رہو تو (اس میں کوئی حرج نہیں کیونکہ) وہ تمہارے بھائی ہی ہیں اور اللہ فساد کرنے والے کو اصلاح[1] کرنے والے کے مقابلہ میں خوب جانتا ہے اور اگر اللہ چاہتا تو تمہیں مشقت میں ڈال دیتا۔ اللہ یقیناً غالب (اور) حکمت والا ہے۔

اردو ترجمہ مودودی

پوچھتے ہیں: یتیموں کے ساتھ کیا معاملہ کیا جائے؟ کہو: جس طرز عمل میں ان کے لیے بھلائی ہو، وہی اختیار کرنا بہتر ہے اگر تم اپنا اور اُن کا خرچ اور رہنا سہنا مشترک رکھو، تو اس میں کوئی مضائقہ نہیں آخر وہ تمہارے بھائی بند ہی تو ہیں برائی کرنے والے اور بھلائی کرنے والے، دونوں کا حال اللہ پر روشن ہے اللہ چاہتا تو اس معاملے میں تم پر سختی کرتا، مگر وہ صاحب اختیار ہونے کے ساتھ صاحب حکمت بھی ہے

English - Sahih

To this world and the Hereafter. And they ask you about orphans. Say, "Improvement for them is best. And if you mix your affairs with theirs - they are your brothers. And Allah knows the corrupter from the amender. And if Allah had willed, He could have put you in difficulty. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.

اردو ترجمہ احمد علی

دنیا اور آخرت کے بارے میں اور یتیموں کے متعلق آپ سے پوچھتے ہیں کہہ دو ان کی اصلاح کرنا بہتر ہے اور اگر تم انہیں ملا لو تو وہ تمہارے بھائی ہیں اور الله بگاڑنے والے کو اصلاح کرنےوالے سے جانتا ہے اور اگر الله چاہتا تو تمہیں تکلیف میں ڈالتا بے شک الله غالب حکمت والا ہے

English - Talal Itani

Concerning the world and the Hereafter. They ask you about the orphans. Say, "Setting right (their affairs) for them (is) best. And if you associate with them then they (are) your brothers. And Allah knows the corrupter from the amender. And if (had) willed Allah surely He (could have) put you in difficulties. Indeed, Allah (is) All-Mighty, All-Wise."

Chinese Commentary ^*

Cross Refs:

a

4:128; 89:18; 93:10; 107:3.

164

抚育孤儿是一件非常难以处理的事情, 而也是一项重要的社会责任。孤儿们应以最有益于他们的身体、道德和精神健康的方式加以抚育。他们应当得到家庭成员般的待遇--------这一规劝包含在 “他们是你们的兄弟” 这句话中。

اردہ تفصیرِ صغیر نوٹس ^*

1

یَعْلَمُ الْمُفْسِدَ مِنَ الْمُصْلِحِ کے الفاظ ایسے ہیں کہ میرے نزدیک ان کا ایسا ترجمہ کرنا جو لفظی بھی ہو اور اس کے اردو میں کوئی معنے بھی ہو جاتے ہوں ناممکن ہے۔ بہرحال میں اس میں کامیاب نہیں ہو سکا کیونکہ دونوں زبانوں کے محاورات کا فرق اس مشکل کو حل نہیں ہونے دیتا۔ مولوی نذیر احمد صاحب دہلوی نے اس کا ترجمہ ’’بگاڑنے والے کو سنوارنے والے سے (الگ) پہچانتا ہے‘‘ کیا ہے۔ شاہ رفیع الدین صاحب نے اس کا ترجمہ ’’اور اللہ جانتا ہے بگاڑنے والے کو سنوارنے والے سے‘‘ کیا ہے۔ لفظی لحاظ سے یہ ترجمے کتنی ہی محنت سے کیے گئے ہوں اس میں شک نہیں کہ اردو میں اصل مفہوم ادا نہیں

English - Arberry

in this world, and the world to come. They will question thee concerning the orphans. Say: 'To set their affairs aright is good. And if you intermix with them, they are your brothers. God knows well him who works corruption from him who sets aright; and had He willed He would have harassed you. Surely God is All-mighty, All-wise.'

English - Maududi

And they ask "What ought we to spend (in the way of Allah)"? Say "Spend whatever you can spare." Thus Allah makes His commands clear to you so that you may think about the good of both this world and the Hereafter. They ask you about the right way of dealing with orphans. Say "The right way is that which is for their good." Then there is no harm if you live a common life with them for they are after all your own brethren. Allah knows well the one who means harm and also the one who means good. If Allah had willed He would have been hard upon you in this matter for He is All-Powerful but He is at the same time AlI-Wise.

English - Ahmed Ali

On this world and the next. And they ask you about the orphans. Tell them: "Improving their lot is much better; and if you take interest in their affairs, they are your brethren; and God is aware who are corrupt and who are honest; and if He had pleased He could surely have imposed on you hardship, for God is all-powerful and all-wise.

English - Yusuf Ali

(Their bearings) on this life and the Hereafter. They ask thee concerning orphans. Say: "The best thing to do is what is for their good; if ye mix their affairs with yours, they are your brethren; but Allah knows the man who means mischief from the man who means good. And if Allah had wished, He could have put you into difficulties: He is indeed Exalted in Power, Wise."

English - Five Volume Commentary ^*

Cross Refs:

a

4:128; 89:18; 93:10; 107:3.

227

Important Words:

الیتامی (orphans) is the plural of یتیم which is derived from یتم meaning he fell short of a thing, feeling weak and tired; he lost his father in childhood. Thus یتیم is one whose father has died and who has not yet attained the age of puberty, which, according to Islamic jurisprudence, is 18 years. The word یتیم is also used about a thing which is without equal (Aqrab & Mufradat).

تخالطوھم (intermix with them) is derived from خلط. They say خلط الشیء بالشیء i.e. he mixed up one thing with the other. خالطهmeans, he mixed or mingled or associated with him; he mixed or joined with him in his affairs; he became co-partner with him. خالط قلبه ھم means, anxiety pervaded his heart (Aqrab & Lane).

اعنتکم (put you to hardship) is derived from عنت which means, he fell into difficulty or hardship. اعنته means, he put him to hardship; he burdened him with a task that was beyond his power (Aqrab).

Commentary:

The opening words of this verse apparently seem to be misplaced, for they are connected not with the following words of the verse in which they are placed, but with the concluding words of the previous one. The complete sentence, therefore, should read like this, "thus Allah makes His commandments clear to you that you may reflect upon this world and the next". If read like this, the clause would mean that God has refrained from issuing a definite commandment with regard to war expenditure and has simply ordered you to retain such portion of your possessions as you may require for your worldly needs and spend the balance in the cause of religion so that you may be trained to think over and judge the comparative value of this world and the next and act accordingly. The words, "upon this world and the next" have been separated from the preceding words to provide a pause with the object of impressing the importance of the matter on the mind of the listener or reader.

As Quranic verses follow a natural order––an order prompted and followed by the innermost nature of the addressee––this verse follows in the wake of the verses dealing with war. As the war leaves behind orphans, this verse lays down basic instructions as to how they should be treated and looked after. Muslims are told that the bringing up of orphans is a very delicate affair and an important social duty. Orphans should be brought up in the manner most conducive to their greatest good, i.e. their physical, moral and spiritual welfare. They should be treated as members of the family; and their property properly looked after and steps taken to augment it. The words, and if you intermix with them, they are your brethren, signify not only permission but exhortation. The exhortation lies in the word "brethren" which is meant to point to Muslims to allow orphans to live as members of their family, this being not only wise and humane but also based on considerations of convenience. If orphans had been directed to be kept aloof and their property managed on a strictly legal basis, it would have, in most cases, entailed a good deal of unnecessary inconvenience and trouble for both parties concerned.

The words, Allah knows the mischief-maker from the reformer, serve as a stern warning to the guardians of orphans. Anything they do is sure to come to the knowledge of God. Nay, God knows even the hidden things of the human heart. So they should beware of playing the part of mischief-makers in the garb of reformers.

God’s attributes of "Powerful" and "Wise" placed at the end of the verse contain a general admonition to guardians of orphans to be very careful about their dealings with them. They should not delude themselves with the idea that, being weak and not yet possessed of proper understanding, the orphans are entirely at their mercy and that they can treat them as they like. For, if orphans are not strong and wise, God certainly is, and He would call them to account if they behaved unkindly or dishonestly towards these helpless and friendless creatures of His. By mentioning God’s attributes of "Powerful" and "Wise" the Quran also means to exhort Muslims to look after orphans in such a way and give them such good education and training as should help them to grow strong and wise and become useful members of the community.

English - Short Commentary Notes ^*

Cross Refs:

a

4:128; 89:18; 93:10; 107:3.

266

The bringing up of orphans is a very delicate affair and also an important social duty. Orphans should be brought up in a manner most conducive to their physical, moral and spiritual welfare. They should be treated as members of the family—the exhortation being contained in the words, "they are your brethren."

English - Pickthall

Upon the world and the Hereafter. And they question thee concerning orphans. Say: To improve their lot is best. And if ye mingle your affairs with theirs, then (they are) your brothers. Allah knoweth him who spoileth from him who improveth. Had Allah willed He could have overburdened you. Allah is Mighty, Wise.

English - Muhammad Ali ^ra

On this world and the hereafter. And they ask thee concerning the orphans. Say: To set right their (affairs) is good; and if you mix with them, they are your brethren. And Allah knows him who makes mischief from him who sets right. And if Allah pleased, He would have made matters difficult for you. Surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.

English - Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan ^ra

... upon this world and the next. They ask thee concerning orphans. Tell them: The promotion of their welfare is very meritorious. There is no harm in your living together with them, for they are your brethren, and Allah well knows him who seeks to promote their welfare and also him who seeks to do them harm. If Allah had so willed, He would have put you to hardship. Surely, Allah is Mighty, Wise.

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