Ahmed Raza Khan: Mohammed Aqib Qadri:
O People who Believe! If you make an agreement for debt
for a specified time, write it down; and appoint a scribe to
write it for you with accuracy; and the scribe must not refuse
to write in the manner Allah has taught him, so he must write;
and the liable person (debtor ) should dictate it to him and
fear Allah, Who is his Lord, and not hide anything of the
truth; but if the debtor is of poor reasoning, or weak, or
unable to dictate, then his guardian must dictate with
justice; and appoint two witnesses from your men; then if two
men are not available, one man and two women from those you
would prefer to be witnesses, so that if one of them forgets,
the other can remind her; and the witnesses must not refuse
when called upon to testify; do not feel burdened to write it,
whether the transaction is small or big - write it for up to
its term's end; this is closer to justice before Allah and
will be a strong evidence and more convenient to dispel doubts
amongst yourselves - except when it is an instant trade in
which exchange is carried out immediately, there is no sin on
you if it is not written down; and take witnesses whenever you
perform trade; and neither the scribe nor the witnesses be
caused any harm (or they cause any harm); and if you do, it
would be an offence on your part; and fear Allah; and Allah
teaches you; and Allah knows everything.
Yusuf Ali:
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.
Pickthal:
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.