وَلَا تُؤۡتُوا السُّفَهَآءَ اَمۡوَالَـكُمُ الَّتِىۡ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ لَـكُمۡ قِيٰمًا وَّارۡزُقُوۡهُمۡ فِيۡهَا وَاكۡسُوۡهُمۡ وَقُوۡلُوۡا لَهُمۡ قَوۡلاً مَّعۡرُوۡفًا
Word By Word —
Word By Word —
Wala tu/too assufahaaamwalakumu allatee jaAAala Allahu lakum qiyamanwarzuqoohum feeha waksoohum waqooloo lahumqawlan maAAroofa
What Does Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 5 Mean? - Common Questions & Answers
Explore the meaning, interpretation, and Islamic explanation of Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 5 from the Holy Quran. Find answers to frequently asked questions about this verse, its context, and significance in Islamic teachings.
❓Who are the 'sufaha' or weak-minded people mentioned in An-Nisa 4:5?
According to classical Islamic scholars, 'as-sufaha' (the weak-minded) includes several categories: Ibn Abbas defined them as children and women lacking proper judgment; Ibn Masud, Al-Hakam, and others specified women and boys; Sa'id bin Jubayr included orphans who haven't reached maturity; and modern understanding extends to anyone with mental incapacity, erratic behavior, poor financial judgment, or those declared bankrupt. The term encompasses anyone who would waste or misuse wealth due to lack of sound decision-making capacity.
❓What are the responsibilities of guardians in protecting wealth according to this verse?
Guardians have three fundamental responsibilities outlined in the verse: 1) 'Warzuquhum fiha' - provide sustenance and food from the wealth, 2) 'Waksuhum' - clothe them from it, and 3) 'Qulu lahum qawlan ma'rufan' - speak to them with kindness and justice. Guardians must protect wealth from misuse while ensuring dependents' needs are met with dignity. The wealth under guardianship becomes the guardian's responsibility as if it were their own, requiring careful stewardship and proper documentation.
❓How does Islamic law balance wealth protection with provision for dependents?
Islam achieves this balance through a comprehensive framework: guardians must not give direct control of wealth to those unable to handle it responsibly, but must provide for all their legitimate needs including food, clothing, and kind treatment. The principle recognizes wealth as 'qiyaman' (support/foundation) - not just individual property but a means of social stability. This prevents both waste and neglect, ensuring assets are preserved while dependents receive proper care and maintain their dignity.
❓When can guardians take compensation for their services in Islamic law?
Guardian compensation follows clear Islamic guidelines: wealthy guardians ('wa man kana ghaniyyan falyasta'fif') must abstain from taking anything from the trust, as they have sufficient means. Poor guardians ('wa man kana faqiran falyakul bil-ma'ruf') may take reasonable compensation that is just and proportionate to their services. This compensation must not exceed actual needs or fair wages for the work performed, ensuring both guardian welfare and trust protection.
❓What tests determine if someone is ready to handle their wealth responsibly?
Islamic law establishes specific criteria for financial maturity: 'Fabtalu'l-yatama' (test the orphans) until 'balaghun-nikah' (they reach age of marriage/puberty). The key test is 'fa'in anastum minhum rushdan' (if you find sound judgment in them), which includes religious soundness, wisdom with money, proper understanding of financial responsibility, and ability to protect and manage wealth appropriately. Only when these conditions are met should wealth be transferred to the individual.
❓How does this verse connect to broader themes in Surah An-Nisa?
An-Nisa 4:5 continues the chapter's comprehensive treatment of financial rights and family protection. Following verses about marriage justice (4:3) and mahr obligations (4:4), this verse addresses wealth guardianship, completing the framework for family financial responsibility. The chapter progressively builds Islamic family law: from protecting orphan property to regulating marriage, establishing mahr rights, and now governing wealth management. Together, these verses ensure that all family financial relationships are based on justice, protection of the vulnerable, and divine accountability.
❓What is the spiritual and social wisdom behind this Quranic command?
This verse embodies multiple layers of wisdom: it prevents poverty through wealth preservation, maintains social stability by protecting assets from mismanagement, and ensures productive use of resources for society's benefit. The command recognizes that individual property rights carry communal responsibilities. The phrase 'wa kafa billahi hasiba' (Allah is sufficient as reckoner) emphasizes divine oversight, making financial guardianship a spiritual trust. This creates a system where wealth serves both individual welfare and social good under divine accountability.
❓How do modern financial laws and Islamic banking relate to this verse's principles?
This verse provides foundational principles for modern Islamic finance: the concept of wealth as 'qiyaman' (foundation) supports Islamic banking's emphasis on asset-backed financing and social responsibility. The guardianship model influences Islamic trust management, estate planning, and fiduciary services. The balance between protection and provision informs Islamic financial institutions' approach to wealth management and social investment. The principle of divine oversight (Allah as hasiba) underlies Islamic banking's ethical frameworks and Shariah compliance monitoring.
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