The Holy Quran 2:283 — Surah Al-Baqarah

Arabic text

۞ وَإِن كُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ وَلَمْ تَجِدُوا۟ كَاتِبًا فَرِهَـٰنٌ مَّقْبُوضَةٌ ۖ فَإِنْ أَمِنَ بَعْضُكُم بَعْضًا فَلْيُؤَدِّ ٱلَّذِى ٱؤْتُمِنَ أَمَـٰنَتَهُۥ وَلْيَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّهُۥ ۗ وَلَا تَكْتُمُوا۟ ٱلشَّهَـٰدَةَ ۚ وَمَن يَكْتُمْهَا فَإِنَّهُۥٓ ءَاثِمٌ قَلْبُهُۥ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ

Translation

If you are on a journey (and contract a debt) and cannot find a scribe (or any means to record the debt), then something (may be) taken (by the creditor) as security (from the debtor). If any of you entrust another (with any trust), then let him who is trusted hand over what is entrusted to him (on demand) and let him fear Allaah (by fulfilling the right of the creditor with truthfulness). Do not hide testimony (when you are called to deliver it) for whoever hides it has a sinful heart. Allaah knows well whatever you do.

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

That is, if you make a transaction of loan and credit while on a journey and find no scribe for the document, then the debtor should give something as a pledge (rahn) against the debt. Note: on a journey the need for a pledge will be greater than when at home, since at home the creditor's assurance is also easily obtainable through writing and testimony;…

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