Commandments regarding Evidence (L-352)

 

Commandments regarding Evidence (L-352)

ذٰلِكُم أَقسَطُ عِندَ اللَّهِ وَأَقوَمُ لِلشَّهادَةِ وَأَدنىٰ أَلّا تَرتابوا ۖ إِلّا أَن تَكونَ تِجارَةً حاضِرَةً تُديرونَها بَينَكُم فَلَيسَ عَلَيكُم جُناحٌ أَلّا تَكتُبوها ۗ وَأَشهِدوا إِذا تَبايَعتُم ۚ وَلا يُضارَّ كاتِبٌ وَلا شَهيدٌ ۚ وَإِن تَفعَلوا فَإِنَّهُ فُسوقٌ بِكُم ۗ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللَّهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيءٍ عَليمٌ282c.

282c.  Zaalikum  ‘aqsatu  ‘indAllaahi  wa  ‘aqwamu  lish-shahaadati  wa  ‘adnaaa  ‘allaa  tartaabuuu  ‘illaaa  ‘an-takuuna  tijaaratan  haaziratan- tudiiruunahaa  baynakum  fa-laysa  ’alaykum  junaahun  ‘allaa  tak-tubuuhaa.  Wa  ‘ash-hiduuu  ‘izaa  tabaaya’-tum.  Wa  laa yu-zaaarra  kaatibunw-wa  laa  shahiid.  Wa  ‘in-taf-‘aluu  fa- ‘innahuu  fusuuqum-bikum.  Watta-qUllaah.  Wa  yu-‘allimu-kumUllaah.  WAllaahu  bi-kulli  shay- ‘in  ‘Aliim.

282c.  That is more equitable with God, and stronger as evidence, and more likely to prevent doubt—except in the case of a spot transaction between you—then there is no blame on you if you do not write it down. And let there be witnesses whenever you conclude a contract, and let no harm be done to either scribe or witness. If you do that, it is corruption on your part. And fear God. God teaches you. God is aware of everything.

‘Aqsatu – (more equitable), this word has been derived from Qist, which means equity, justice. From it; is the word Muqsitun, which is an epithet of Allah Almighty, which means A Judge.

‘Aqwamu – (that who keeps More Extent), the words Qiyaamun,Qawwaamun and Qayyimun etc. have come out from its origin. ‘Aqwamu means “the person who keeps everything proper (best of all)”.

Tijaaratan  haaziratan – (the merchandise which you transfer among yourselves from hand to hand). That is to say; it would not be on debt or promises, but it would be from hand to hand. In that case, it is no sin for you if you do not write it.

This verse has been running with effect from last two lessons. About bringing the trade in writing and making a witness, it has been being instructed continuously. In this last part of the verse, it is commanded: By bringing the trade in writing, no doubt and delusion will be born. However, there is no need of writing in case of trading by hand to hand. Like this, it is necessary for the scribe and witnesses also that they should act according to the justice; they must not try to harm someone else. Otherwise, they will be sinners. https://youtu.be/siKdgRuGJ1g