# Verse of Loan

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

## Text and meaning

[Yā’ay-yuha l-ladhīna ’āmanū ’idhā tadāyantum bidaynin ’ilā ’ajali m-musam-man faktubūh(u),]
$^{282}$ O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down.
[walyaktu b-baynanakum kātibum bil‘adl(i),]
And let a scribe write [it] between you in justice.
[walā yaa' ba kātibun ’an y-yaktuba kamā ‘al-lamahu l-lāh(u),]
Let no scribe refuse to write as Allāh has taught him.
[falyaktub walyumlili l-ladhī ‘alayhi l-ḥaq-qu walyat-taqi l-lāha rab-bahū walā yabkhs minhu shay’ā,]
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.
[fa’in kāna l-ladhī ‘alayhi l-ḥaq-qu safīhan ’aw ḍa‘ifan ’aw lā yastaṭī‘u ’an y-yumil-la huwa falyumlil waliy-yuhū bil‘adl(i),]
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.
[wastashhidū shahīdayni mi r-rijālikum,]
And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men.
[fa’i l-lam yakūnā rajulayni farajulun w-wamra’atāni mim-man tarḍawna mina sh-shuhadā’i ’an taḍil-la ’iḥdāhumā fatudhak-kira ’iḥdāhumā l-’ukhrā,]
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.
[walā ya’ba sh-shuhadā’u ’idhā mā du‘ū,]
And let not the witnesses refuse when they are called upon.
[walā tas’amū ’an taktubūhu ṣaghīran ’aw kabīran ’ilā ajalih(ī),]
And do not be [too] weary to write it, whether it is small or large, for its [specified] term.
[dhālikum ’aqsaṭu ‘inda l-lāhi wa’aqwamu lish-shahādati wa’adnā ’al-lā tartābū,]
That is more just in the sight of Allāh and stronger as evidence and more likely to prevent doubt between you,
[’il-lā ’an takūna tijāratan ḥāḍiratan tudīrūnahā baynakum falaysa ‘alaykum junāḥun ’al-lā taktubūhā,]
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.
[wa’ashhidū ’idhā tabāy‘tum,]
And take witnesses when you conclude a contract.
[walā yuḍār-ra kātibun walā shahīdun,]
Let no scribe be harmed or any witness.
[wa’in taf‘alū fa’in-nahū fusūqun bikum,]
For if you do so, indeed, it is [grave] disobedience in you.
[wat-taqu l-lāh(a),]
And fear Allāh.
[wayu‘al-limukumu l-lāh(u),]
And Allāh teaches you.
[wal-lāhu bikul-li shay’in ‘alīm(un)]
And Allāh is Knowing of all things.

### 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.