Verse 282 of Surah Al-Baqarah, known as the longest verse in the Holy Qur'an, provides precise and comprehensive directives for regulating financial transactions and debts within the Islamic community. This verse, emphasising the documentation of transactions, witnessing, and the protection of the parties rights, seeks to establish order and justice in social and economic relations. Unlike the preceding verses (280 and 281), which focus on the spiritual content of religion and eschatological justice, this verse addresses the practical and structural aspects of transactions. Like a fruitful garden whose branches display order and beauty, this verse, through divine order, organises financial relations. In this exegesis, the content of the verse is rewritten with a scientific and distinguished approach for an expert audience at a research level, presenting all details with complete explanation and elaboration.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا تَدَايَنْتُمْ بِدَيْنٍ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى فَاكْتُبُوهُ
O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down.
This verse, as one of the most comprehensive legal verses, addresses the regulation of financial transactions. The command to write down the transaction is an indication of the importance of preserving rights and preventing disputes. Like a pen that inscribes clear lines on a tablet, this verse is a guide for organising human interactions.
The Holy Qur'an, like a garden with various flowers, presents laws and truths with diversity and flexibility. This variety prevents the laws from becoming monotonous or burdensome and adapts to the diverse tastes of society. Verse 282, with its breadth and details, exemplifies this diversity, preventing fatigue or inability of the addressees in implementing the rules.
Verse 282 of Surah Al-Baqarah holds a central position in the Qur'anic content system by emphasising the recording of transactions and the protection of rights. This verse, by providing a coherent and precise framework, regulates financial and social relations and, through diversity in expression, responds to the various needs of society.
وَإِنْ كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ مَيْسَرَةٍ ۚ وَأَنْ تَصَدَّقُوا خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ ۖ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
And if the debtor is in hardship, then [let there be] postponement until [a time of] ease. And if you remit it by way of charity, that is better for you, if you only knew.
Verse 280 focuses on the spiritual content of religion and introduces three key principles: the principle of debt (dayn), granting respite until financial capability (maysarah), and almsgiving as charity (sadaqah). These principles, like the pillars of the edifice of religion, emphasise justice and mercy in financial interactions.
Verse 282, by providing detailed practical measures such as document writing and obtaining witnesses, addresses the form and structure of religion. These rulings, like a precise blueprint for building justice, assist in regulating transactions within a society with limited means.
وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ
And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah.
Verse 281, like a bridge between the spiritual content and practical form of religion, emphasises the importance of piety and accountability before the Hereafter. This verse reminds that the essence of religion, beyond its external form, lies in God-consciousness and responsibility before the Divine.
The distinction between the content of religion (Verse 280) and the form of religion (Verse 282), mediated by Verse 281, reflects the Qur'ans holistic approach to regulating financial relations. These verses, by stressing justice, piety, and order, depict a balanced and equitable society.
Verse 282, with approximately fourteen lines, is the longest verse in the Qur'an and in terms of volume is equivalent to several short surahs such as Al-Falaq, An-Nas, Al-Masad, and An-Nasr. This extent, like a rushing river encompassing details, signifies the importance of precise regulation of financial transactions.
The commands in this verse, including document writing and witness procurement, relate to the worldly and practical dimensions of religion. These rulings, like a shield against deceit and human malpractices, safeguard individuals rights.
This verse corresponds to the conditions of the early and desert-dwelling society at the time of revelation, where literacy and resources were limited. Nevertheless, its principles, like sturdy pillars, remain applicable in modern societies.
Verse 282, with its scope and legal details, addresses the regulation of financial and social relations within a society of limited means. By presenting practical rulings, it guarantees order and justice in human interactions.
Hardship (usr) denotes severe financial difficulty, and ease (maysarah) signifies financial relief. Verse 280 advises the creditor that if the debtor faces hardship, a respite should be granted or the debt forgiven as charity. These concepts, like a gentle breeze unraveling a tight knot, emphasise mercy and justice in financial dealings.
Granting respite and forgiveness in Verse 280 is recommended (mustahabb), not obligatory (wajib). This delicate balance respects the creditors rights and does not compel them to forgive or postpone.
Verse 280 focuses on the spiritual content of religion while Verse 282 concentrates on its practical form. These two verses, like the two wings of a bird soaring towards justice, complement each other and provide a comprehensive system for regulating transactions.
The concepts of hardship, ease, and charity in Verse 280, together with the practical details of Verse 282, delineate a just financial system that attends to both the spiritual and practical dimensions.
Contrary to the guidance of Verse 280, some societies employ unjust methods such as detention and imprisonment against debtors. These practices, like storms threatening the roots of justice, conflict with Islamic principles.
Customs such as extravagant dowries, as tyrannical manifestations, impose financial burdens on families. These customs, like chains restricting the freedom of marital life, ought to be replaced by social cooperation.
A debtor who evades repayment through extravagance commits a forbidden act. This behaviour, akin to sowing seeds of disobedience in the soil of religion, disrupts the state of ease (maysarah) and is subject to disciplinary measures.
Governments and religious bodies are obliged to assist debtors and needy individuals using financial resources such as khums and zakat. This support, like a stream watering a parched land, facilitates the realisation of social ease.
Criticism of un-Islamic behaviours and improper customs, along with emphasis on the role of government and religious institutions, demonstrate the necessity of social and economic reforms for the realisation of Islamic justice.
Dayn is a broader term encompassing voluntary debts (such as loans) and involuntary liabilities (such as usurpation or damages). Qard specifically denotes a voluntary and lawful interaction. This distinction, like lines demarcating the borders of a territory, aids precise understanding of rulings.
Although Verse 280 refers to dayn and Verse 282 to qard, their content uniformly emphasises justice. The difference lies in form: Verse 280 highlights spiritual and eschatological aspects, while Verse 282 focuses on procedural details.
The distinction between dayn and qard, along with the contentual unity of Verses 280 and 282, illustrates the Qur'ans precision in regulating financial and legal rulings.
Verse 282 of Surah Al-Baqarah, like a blazing torch, guides the regulation of financial and social relations in the Islamic community. This verse, by providing legal and procedural details, complements Verse 280 which focuses on the spiritual content of debt. Verse 281, like a mirror reflecting the truth, stresses piety and accountability towards the Hereafter, reminding that the essence of debt lies in responsibility before God. Concepts such as hardship, ease, and charity, alongside critiques of improper customs and emphasis on social cooperation, contribute to the realisation of a just and balanced society. Governments and religious institutions, through utilisation of financial resources such as khums and zakat, are charged with supporting the needy and debtors to achieve social ease. This exegesis, grounded in the principles of justice, piety, and accountability, provides a comprehensive guide for researchers and expert audiences.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
