1O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allāh, through whom¹³⁴ you ask one another,¹³⁵ and the wombs.¹³⁶ Indeed Allāh is ever,¹³⁷ over you, an Observer.

2And give to the orphans their properties and do not substitute the defective [of your own] for the good [of theirs]. And do not consume their properties into your own. Indeed, that is ever a great sin.

3And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hands possess [i.e., slaves]. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].

4And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts¹³⁸ graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease.¹³⁹

5And do not give the weak-minded your property,¹⁴⁰ which Allāh has made a means of sustenance for you, but provide for them with it and clothe them and speak to them words of appropriate kindness.

6And test the orphans [in their abilities] until they reach marriageable age. Then if you perceive in them sound judgement, release their property to them. And do not consume it excessively and quickly, [anticipating] that they will grow up. And whoever, [when acting as guardian], is self-sufficient should refrain [from taking a fee]; and whoever is poor – let him take according to what is acceptable. Then when you release their property to them, bring witnesses upon them. And sufficient is Allāh as Accountant.

7For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much – an obligatory share.

8And when [other] relatives and orphans and the needy are present at the [time of] division, then provide for them [something] out of it [i.e., the estate] and speak to them words of appropriate kindness.

9And let those [executors and guardians] fear [injustice] as if they [themselves] had left weak offspring behind and feared for them. So let them fear Allāh and speak words of appropriate justice.

10Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire. And they will be burned in a Blaze [i.e., Hellfire].

11Allāh instructs you concerning your children [i.e., their portions of inheritance]: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are [only] daughters, two or more, for them is two thirds of one's estate.¹⁴¹ And if there is only one, for her is half. And for one's parents, to each one of them is a sixth of his estate if he left children. But if he had no children and the parents [alone] inherit from him, then for his mother is one third. And if he had brothers [and/or sisters], for his mother is a sixth,¹⁴² after any bequest he [may have] made or debt.¹⁴³ Your parents or your children – you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. [These shares are] an obligation [imposed] by Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.

12And for you is half of what your wives leave if they have no child. But if they have a child, for you is one fourth of what they leave, after any bequest they [may have] made or debt. And for them [i.e., the wives] is one fourth if you leave no child. But if you leave a child, then for them is an eighth of what you leave, after any bequest you [may have] made or debt. And if a man or woman leaves neither ascendants nor descendants but has a brother or a sister, then for each one of them is a sixth. But if they are more than two, they share a third,¹⁴⁴ after any bequest which was made or debt, as long as there is no detriment [caused].¹⁴⁵ [This is] an ordinance from Allāh, and Allāh is Knowing and Forbearing.

13These are the limits [set by] Allāh, and whoever obeys Allāh and His Messenger will be admitted by Him to gardens [in Paradise] under which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein; and that is the great attainment.

14And whoever disobeys Allāh and His Messenger and transgresses His limits – He will put him into the Fire to abide eternally therein, and he will have a humiliating punishment.

15Those who commit immorality [i.e., unlawful sexual intercourse] of your women – bring against them four [witnesses] from among you. And if they testify,¹⁴⁶ confine them [i.e., the guilty women] to houses until death takes them or Allāh ordains for them [another] way.¹⁴⁷

16And the two¹⁴⁸ who commit it [i.e., unlawful sexual intercourse] among you – punish [i.e., dishonor] them both. But if they repent and correct themselves, leave them alone. Indeed, Allāh is ever Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

17The repentance accepted by Allāh is only for those who do wrong in ignorance [or carelessness] and then repent soon after. It is those to whom Allāh will turn in forgiveness, and Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.

18But repentance is not [accepted] of those who [continue to] do evil deeds up until, when death comes to one of them, he says, "Indeed, I have repented now," or of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful punishment.

19O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion.¹⁴⁹ And do not make difficulties for them in order to take [back] part of what you gave them¹⁵⁰ unless they commit a clear immorality [i.e., adultery].