Come not nigh to the orphan´s property except to improve it,(2217) until he attains the age(2218) of full strength; and fulfil (Every)(2219) engagement, for (every) engagement will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).(2220)
2217 Cf. 6:152, and other passages relating to orphans, e.g., 2:220. If an orphan's property is touched at all, it should be to improve it, or to give him something better than he had before-never to take a personal advantage for the benefit of the guardian. A bargain that may be quite fair as between two independent persons would be, under this verse, unfair as between a guardian and his orphan ward until the latter attains the full age of understanding. 2218 Ashuddah means the age when the orphan reaches his full maturity of strength and understanding, say between the ages of 18 and 30. The age of legal majority may be 18 (as for certain purposes in India ) or 21 (as in England ). For certain purposes in Muslim law it may be less than 18. In the orphan's interest a much stricter standard is required in his case. 2219 The definite article al has here a generic meaning, and is best translated "every". 2220 From the context the engagements referred to would relate to beneficial contracts connected with the orphan's property or promises or undertakings given by the guardian or implied in the terms of his appointment. But the words are general and may be interpreted in the general sense. Note that this sentence does not occur in the similar passage in 6:152, where there was a discussion of social laws: it is appropriate here, where the discussion is about the guardian's personal and individual responsibility in a spiritual sense. Cf. 5:1).