Overall meaning : Allah instructs the faithful to document in writing any debt they contract for a fixed period and to ensure that the person appointed to commit it to paper between them is familiar with writing and known for his fairness and impartiality. Whoever is appointed for the task should not decline to carry out this duty and must write as Allah has blessed him with the ability to write. The debtor should dictate the document and avoid Allah’s punishment by not diminishing anything at all from the amount he owes to the creditor. If the person incurring the debt is ignorant, incompetent due to young age or insanity or unable to dictate himself for any reason, then his guardian should dictate for him faithfully and honestly. Allah also instructs the believers to have two Muslim men of known probity and integrity to witness the transaction; but if two men are not available, then one man and two women whom they judge fit to act as witnesses, so that if either of the two women should forget, then one may remind the other. Witnesses should not refuse if called upon to give evidence. He further exhorts them not to tire of putting all their debts in writing, be they small or large, together with the date on which they fall due, for recording the maturity date is more just in the sight of Allah, further confirms the testimony of witnesses—in that it serves to avoid any disputes that might arise among the parties to the document upon referring to what has already been documented in writing—and constitutes the best means of avoiding doubts and disputes. If, however, the transaction concerns ready trade whereby both the buyer and the seller receive their due rights on the spot, they will incur no sin if they do not put that to paper, but they must call witnesses to the transaction.
Allah Almighty then forbids debtors and creditors from doing any harm whatsoever to the writer and the witness; by the same token, the writer and the witness must not do any harm whatsoever to the creditor of debtor, for doing such harm is tantamount to showing disobedience to Allah. He also commands them to fear Him, stating that He teaches them everything that benefits them in their worldly and religious matters and that He has knowledge of all things.
If they are on a journey and contract a debt for a fixed period and cannot find a writer to document it along with the maturity date, Allah further teaches, the debtor should place a pledge in the creditor’s possession which he will keep until the debtor pays back his debt. If, however, the creditor trusts the debtor and wishes to contract a debt without taking anything in pledge for the payment of the debt, the debtor must, in this case, honour his trust and pay back the debt in full. He must also fear Allah’s punishment in case He disobeys His command and does what He has forbidden him to do in this regard.
The Almighty then warns against withholding and concealing the testimony by either denying it altogether or making any changes to, stating that those who withhold it have sinful hearts and stand guilty before Allah for concealing it. Allah has full knowledge of all people’s actions and keeps count of them, and He will surely repay them according to their deeds.