Verse of Loan

The Verse of Loan (Arabic: آيَة ٱلدَّيْن, ’āyatu d-dayn) is verse 282 in chapter Al-Baqara (Q2:282). This verse is the longest verse at the longest chapter in Quran. The concept of borrowing was explained in the verse.

Text and meaning

Text and transliteration

• Hafs from Aasim ibn Abi al-Najud

یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوۤا۟ إِذَا تَدَایَنتُم بِدَیۡنٍ إِلَىٰۤ أَجَلࣲ مُّسَمࣰّى فَٱكۡتُبُوهُ ۚ وَلۡیَكۡتُب بَّیۡنَكُمۡ كَاتِبُۢ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ ۚ وَلَا یَأۡبَ كَاتِبٌ أَن یَكۡتُبَ كَمَا عَلَّمَهُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ فَلۡیَكۡتُبۡ وَلۡیُمۡلِلِ ٱلَّذِی عَلَیۡهِ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَلۡیَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّهُۥ وَلَا یَبۡخَسۡ مِنۡهُ شَیۡـࣰٔا ۚ فَإِن كَانَ ٱلَّذِی عَلَیۡهِ ٱلۡحَقُّ سَفِیهًا أَوۡ ضَعِیفًا أَوۡ لَا یَسۡتَطِیعُ أَن یُمِلَّ هُوَ فَلۡیُمۡلِلۡ وَلِیُّهُۥ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ ۚ وَٱسۡتَشۡهِدُوا۟ شَهِیدَیۡنِ مِن رِّجَالِكُمۡ ۖ فَإِن لَّمۡ یَكُونَا رَجُلَیۡنِ فَرَجُلࣱ وَٱمۡرَأَتَانِ مِمَّن تَرۡضَوۡنَ مِنَ ٱلشُّهَدَاۤءِ أَن تَضِلَّ إِحۡدَىٰهُمَا فَتُذَكِّرَ إِحۡدَىٰهُمَا ٱلۡأُخۡرَىٰ ۚ وَلَا یَأۡبَ ٱلشُّهَدَاۤءُ إِذَا مَا دُعُوا۟ ۚ وَلَا تَسۡـَٔمُوۤا۟ أَن تَكۡتُبُوهُ صَغِیرًا أَوۡ كَبِیرًا إِلَىٰۤ أَجَلِهِۦ ۚ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكُمۡ أَقۡسَطُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَأَقۡوَمُ لِلشَّهَـٰدَةِ وَأَدۡنَىٰۤ أَلَّا تَرۡتَابُوۤا۟ إِلَّاۤ أَن تَكُونَ تِجَـٰرَةً حَاضِرَةࣰ تُدِیرُونَهَا بَیۡنَكُمۡ فَلَیۡسَ عَلَیۡكُمۡ جُنَاحٌ أَلَّا تَكۡتُبُوهَا ۗ وَأَشۡهِدُوۤا۟ إِذَا تَبَایَعۡتُمۡ ۚ وَلَا یُضَاۤرَّ كَاتِبࣱ وَلَا شَهِیدࣱ ۚ وَإِن تَفۡعَلُوا۟ فَإِنَّهُۥ فُسُوقُۢ بِكُمۡ ۗ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۖ وَیُعَلِّمُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَیۡءٍ عَلِیمࣱ ۝‎
²⁸² Yā’ayyuha l-ladhīna ’āmanū ’idhā tadāyantum bidaynin ’ilā ’ajali m-musamman faktubūh(u), walyaktu b-baynakum kātibum bil‘adl(i), walā ya’ba kātibun ’an y-yaktuba kamā ‘allamahu l-lāh(u), falyaktub walyumlili l-ladhī ‘alayhi l-ḥaqqu walyattaqi l-lāha rabbahū walā yabkhas minhu shay’ā, fa’in kāna l-ladhī ‘alayhi l-ḥaqqu safīhan ’aw ḍa‘ifan ’aw lā yastaṭī‘u ’an y-yumilla huwa falyumlil waliyyuhū bil‘adl(i), wastashhidū shahīdayni mi r-rijālikum, fa’i l-lam yakūnā rajulayni farajulun w-wamra’atāni mimman tarḍawna mina sh-shuhadā’i ’an taḍilla ’iḥdāhumā fatudhakkira ’iḥdāhumā l-’ukhrā, walā ya’ba sh-shuhadā’u ’idhā mā du‘ū, walā tas’amū ’an taktubūhu ṣaghīran ’aw kabīran ’ilā ajalih(ī), dhālikum ’aqsaṭu ‘inda l-lāhi wa’aqwamu lishshahādati wa’adnā ’allā tartābū, ’illā ’an takūna tijāratan ḥāḍiratan tudīrūnahā baynakum falaysa ‘alaykum junāḥun ’allā taktubūhā, wa’ashhidū ’idhā tabāya‘tum, walā yuḍārra kātibun walā shahīdun, wa’in taf‘alū fa’innahū fusūqun bikum, wattaqu l-lāh(a), wayu‘allimukumu l-lāh(u), wallāhu bikulli shay’in ‘alīm(un)

---

• Warsh from Nafiʽ al-Madani

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا اَ۬لَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا تَدَايَنتُم بِدَيۡنٍ اِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى فَاكۡتُبُوهُ ^ج وَلۡيَكۡتُب بَّيۡنَكُمۡ كَاتِبٌۢ بِالۡعَدۡلِ ^ج وَلَا يَابَ كَاتِبٌ اَن يَكۡتُبَ كَمَا عَلَّمَهُ اَ۬للَّهُ ^ج فَلۡيَكۡتُبۡ وَلۡيُمۡلِلِ اِ۬لَّذِے عَلَيۡهِ اِ۬لۡحَقُّ وَلۡيَتَّقِ اِ۬للَّهَ رَبَّهُۥ وَلَا يَبۡخَسۡ مِنۡهُ شَيۡـًٔا ^ج فَإِن كَانَ اَ۬لَّذِے عَلَيۡهِ اِ۬لۡحَقُّ سَفِيهًا اَوۡ ضَعِيفًا اَوۡ لَا يَسۡتَطِيعُ أَن يُمِلَّ هُوَ فَلۡيُمۡلِلۡ وَلِيُّهُۥ بِالۡعَدۡلِ ^ج وَاسۡتَشۡهِدُوا۟ شَهِيدَيۡنِ مِن رِّجَالِكُمۡ ^صلے فَإِن لَّمۡ يَكُونَا رَجُلَيۡنِ فَرَجُلٌ وَامۡرَأَتَانِ مِمَّن تَرۡضَوۡنَ مِنَ اَ۬لشُّهَدَآءِ اَ۬ن تَضِلَّ إِحۡدٜيٰهُمَا فَتُذَكِّرَ إِحۡدٜيٰهُمَا اَ۬لُاخۡرٜىٰ ^ج وَلَا يَابَ اَ۬لشُّهَدَآءُ اِٜذَا مَا دُعُوا۟ ^ج وَلَا تَسۡـَٔمُوٓا۟ أَن تَكۡتُبُوهُ صَغِيرًا اَوۡ كَبِيرًا اِلَىٰٓ أَجَلِهِۦ ^ج ذَٰلِكُمُۥٓ أَقۡسَطُ عِندَ اَ۬للَّهِ وَأَقۡوَمُ لِلشَّهَٰدَةِ وَأَدۡنٜىٰٓ أَلَّا تَرۡتَابُوٓا۟ ^صلے إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَ تِجَٰرَةٌ حَاضِرَةٌ تُدِيرُونَهَا بَيۡنَكُمۡ فَلَيۡسَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ جُنَاحٌ اَلَّا تَكۡتُبُوهَا ^قلے وَأَشۡهِدُوٓا۟ إِذَا تَبَايَعۡتُمۡ ^ج وَلَا يُضَآرَّ كَاتِبٌ وَلَا شَهِيدٌ ^ج وَإِن تَفۡعَلُوا۟ فَإِنَّهُۥ فُسُوقٌۢ بِكُمۡ ^قلے وَاتَّقُوا۟ اَ۬للَّهَ ^صلے وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اَ۬للَّهُ ^قلے وَاَ۬للَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَےۡءٍ عَلِيمٌ ۝‎
²⁸¹ Yā’ayyuha l-ladhīna ’āmanū ’idhā tadāyantum bidaynin ilā ’ajali m-musamman faktubūh(u), walyaktu b-baynanakum kātibum bil‘adl(i), walā yāba kātibun an y-yaktuba kamā ‘allamahu l-lāh(u), falyaktub walyumlili l-ladhī ‘alayhi l-ḥaqqu walyattaqi l-lāha rabbahū walā yabkhs minhu shay’ā, fa’in kāna l-ladhī ‘alayhi l-ḥaqqu safīhan aw ḍa‘ifan aw lā yastaṭī‘u ’an y-yumilla huwa falyumlil waliyyuhū bil‘adl(i), wastashhidū shahīdayni mi r-rijālikum, fa’i l-lam yakūnā rajulayni farajulun w-wamra’atāni mimman tarḍawna mina sh-shuhadā’i an taḍilla ’iḥdāhumā fatudhakkira ’iḥdāhuma lukhrā, walā yaba sh-shuhadā’u idhā mā du‘ū, walā tas’amū ’an taktubūhu ṣaghīran aw kabīran ilā ajalih(ī), dhālikumū ’aqsaṭu ‘inda l-lāhi wa’aqwamu lishshahādati wa’adnā ’allā tartābū, ’illā ’an takūna tijāratun ḥāḍiratun tudīrūnahā baynakum falaysa ‘alaykum junāḥun allā taktubūhā, wa’ashhidū ’idhā tabāy‘tum, walā yuḍārra kātibun walā shahīdun, wa’in taf‘alū fa’innahū fusūqun bikum, wattaqu l-lāh(a), wayu‘allimukumu l-lāh(u), wallāhu bikulli shay’in ‘alīm(un)

Meaning

²⁸² O you who believe! When you contract a debt for a fixed period, write it down. Let a scribe write it down in justice between you. Let not the scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him, so let him write. Let him (the debtor) who incurs the liability dictate, and he must fear Allah, his Lord, and diminish not anything of what he owes. But if the debtor is of poor understanding, or weak, or is unable himself to dictate, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And get two witnesses out of your own men. And if there are not two men (available), then a man and two women, such as you agree for witnesses, so that if one of them (two women) errs, the other can remind her. And the witnesses should not refuse when they are called on (for evidence). You should not become weary to write it (your contract), whether it be small or big, for its fixed term, that is more just with Allah; more solid as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves, save when it is a present trade which you carry out on the spot among yourselves, then there is no sin on you if you do not write it down. But take witnesses whenever you make a commercial contract. Let neither scribe nor witness suffer any harm, but if you do (such harm), it would be wickedness in you. So be afraid of Allah; and Allah teaches you. And Allah is the All-Knower of each and everything.

Translation:Noble Quran, 1999

---

²⁸² O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down. And let a scribe write [it] between you in justice. Let no scribe refuse to write as Allāh has taught him. So let him write and let the one who has the obligation [i.e., the debtor] dictate. And let him fear Allāh, his Lord, and not leave anything out of it. But if the one who has the obligation is of limited understanding or weak or unable to dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses – so that if one of them [i.e., the women] errs, then the other can remind her. And let not the witnesses refuse when they are called upon. And do not be [too] weary to write it, whether it is small or large, for its [specified] term. That is more just in the sight of Allāh and stronger as evidence and more likely to prevent doubt between you, except when it is an immediate transaction which you conduct among yourselves. For [then] there is no blame upon you if you do not write it. And take witnesses when you conclude a contract. Let no scribe be harmed or any witness. For if you do so, indeed, it is [grave] disobedience in you. And fear Allāh. And Allāh teaches you. And Allāh is Knowing of all things.

Translation:Saheeh International, 1997

---

²⁸² 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.

Translation:Yusuf Ali, 1934

---

²⁸² 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.

Translation:Pickthall, 1930

---

See also

• Qard al-Hasan
• The verse of Ikmal al-Din
• The verse of Wilayah
• The warning verse
• Verse of brotherhood
• The verse of purification
• Muhammad in the Quran
• The verse of evil eye
• The obedience verse
• The verse of Mawadda