23.1 Fraud
Cursed are to those that deal in fraud,-
Those who, when they have to receive by measure from
men, take full measure,
But when they have to give by measure or weight to
men, give less than due.Ch 83: V1 - 3
23.2 Theft
As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hands:
a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their
crime: and Allah is Exalted in Power.
But if the thief repents after his crime, and amends his
conduct, Allah turns to him in forgiveness; for Allah is
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.Ch 5: V41 - 42
23.3 Circulation of wealth and preventing monopolies
What Allah has bestowed on His Messenger (and
taken away) from the people of the towns, belongs to
Allah, to His Messenger and to relatives and orphans,
the needy and the wayfarer; in order that it may not
(merely) make a circuit between the wealthy among
you. So take what the Messenger gives to you, and deny
yourselves that which he withholds from you and fear
Allah, for Allah is strict in punishment.Ch 59: V7
23.4 Unfair business practices and bribery
… eat up not one another’s property unjustly, nor bribe
…Ch 2: V188
23.5 Trade by mutual good will
… let there be amongst you traffic and trade by mutual
good-will …Ch 4: V29
23.6 Charity (Nafaqa, Sadaqa and Zakaah)
(The devotees of Allah are) those who spend their
wealth for increase in self-purification.
Ch 92: V18
And ...give regular Charity
Ch 22: V78
... they ask you how much they are to spend (in charity);
Say: “What is beyond your needs.” Thus does Allah
make clear to you His Signs: in order that you may
consider-
Ch 2: V 219
That which you lay out for increase through the
property of (other) people, will have no increase with
Allah: but that which you lay out for charity, seeking the
Pleasure of Allah, (will increase): it is these who will get
a reward multiplied.
Ch 30: V39
Of their goods, take alms, so that you might purify and
sanctify them; and pray on their behalf. Verily your
prayers are a source of security for them: And Allah is
One Who hears and knows.
Ch 9: V103
Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those
employed to administer the (funds); for those whose
hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for
those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and
for the traveller: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah
is full of knowledge and wisdom.Ch 9: V60
23.7 Riba (Usury)
O you who believe! Devour not usury, doubled and
multiplied; but fear Allah; that you may (really) prosper.
Ch 3: V130
Those who devour usury will not stand except as
stand like one whom Satan by his touch has driven to
madness. That is because they say: “Trade is like usury,”
but Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury.
Those who after receiving direction from their Lord,
desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for
Allah (to judge); but those who repeat (the offence) are
companions of the Fire: They will stay therein (forever).
Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give
increase for deeds of charity: for He loves not creatures
ungrateful and wicked.
Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and
establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have
their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear,
nor shall they grieve.
O you who believe! Fear Allah, and give up what
remains of your demand for usury, if you are indeed
believers.
If you do it not, take notice of war from Allah and His
Messenger: But if you turn back, you shall have your
capital sums: deal not unjustly, and you shall not be
dealt with unjustly.
If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time until it
is easy for him to repay. But if you remit it by way of
charity, that is best for you if you only knew.Ch 2: V 275 -280
23.8 Contracts and contractual obligations
O you who believe! Fulfil (all) obligations...
Ch 5: V1
O you who believe! When you 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 anything
of what he owes. If the party liable is mentally deficient,
or weak, or unable to dictate himself, 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 you 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). Do not hesitate to reduce to writing
(your contract) for a future period, whether it be small
or big: it is more just in the sight of Allah, more suitable
as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts
among yourselves but if it be a transaction which you
carry out on the spot among yourselves, there is no
blame on you if you reduce it not to writing. But take
witness whenever you make a commercial contract;
and let neither scribe nor witness suffer harm. If you
do (such harm), it would be wickedness in you. So fear
Allah; for it is Allah that teaches you. And Allah is well
acquainted with all things.Ch 2: V 282
23.9 Inheritance
It is prescribed, when death approaches any of you, if
he leave any goods that he make a bequest to parents
and near relatives, according to reasonable usage; this
is due from the Allah-fearing.
Ch 2: V 180
From what is left by parents and those nearest related
there is a share for men and a share for women,
whether the property is small or large, a determinate
share.
But if at the time of division other relatives, or orphans
or poor, are present, feed them out of the (property),
and speak to them words of kindness and justice.
Ch 4: V 7 - 8
Details
The shares below are meant to be applied in many different
circumstances. A common and simple example is a husband
that dies leaving behind a wife, a son and a daughter as the
only heirs. The estate will be wound up according to the
verses below as follows:
• pay legacies and debts first,
• then ¼ to the wife and
• the remaining ¾ is divided between the children in
a ratio of 2:1 for males: females
o in this case ¼ for the daughter and ½ (two quarters) for
the son.
Allah (thus) directs you as regards your children’s
(inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two
females: if only daughters, two or more, their share is
two-thirds of the inheritance; if only one, her share is a
half.
For parents, a sixth share of the inheritance to each,
if the deceased left children; if no children, and the
parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a third; if
the deceased left brothers (or sisters) the mother has a
sixth.
(The distribution in all cases) is after the payment of
legacies and debts. You know not whether your parents
or your children are nearest to you in benefit. These
are settled portions ordained by Allah; and Allah is All-
knowing, All-wise.
In what your wives leave, your share is a half, if they
leave no child; but if they leave a child, you get a fourth;
after payment of legacies and debts.
In what you leave, their share is a fourth, if you leave no
child; but if you leave a child, they get an eighth; after
payment of legacies and debts.
If the man or woman whose inheritance is in question,
has left neither ascendants nor descendants, but has
left a brother or a sister, each one of the two gets a
sixth; but if more than two, they share in a third; after
payment of legacies and debts;
So that no loss is caused (to any one). Thus is it ordained
by Allah; and Allah is All-knowing, Most Forbearing.
Those are limits set by Allah: those who obey Allah and
His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens with rivers
flowing beneath, to stay therein (forever) and that will
be the supreme achievement.Ch 4: V 11 - 13
They ask thee for a legal decision. Say: Allah directs
(thus) about those who leave no descendants or
ascendants as heirs. If it is a man that dies, leaving a
sister but no child, she shall have half the inheritance:
If (such a deceased was) a woman, who left no child, her
brother takes her inheritance: If there are two sisters,
they shall have two-thirds of the inheritance (between
them): if there are brothers and sisters, (they share), the
male having twice the share of the female.
Thus doth Allah make clear to you (His law), lest you err.
And Allah has knowledge of all things.Ch 4: V 176