O ye who believe! When ye deal with each other, in
transactions involving future obligations in a fixed period of time, reduce
them to writing Let a scribe write down faithfully as between the parties: let
not the scribe refuse to write: as Allah Has taught him, so let him write. Let
him who incurs the liability dictate, but let him fear His Lord Allah, and not
diminish aught of what he owes. If they party liable is mentally deficient, or
weak, or unable Himself to dictate, Let his guardian dictate faithfully, and
get two witnesses, out of your own men, and if there are not two men, then a
man and two women, such as ye choose, for witnesses, so that if one of them
errs, the other can remind her. The witnesses should not refuse when they are
called on (For evidence). Disdain not to reduce to writing (your contract) for
a future period, whether it be small or big: it is juster in the sight of
Allah, More suitable as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among
yourselves but if it be a transaction which ye carry out on the spot among
yourselves, there is no blame on you if ye reduce it not to writing. But take
witness whenever ye make a commercial contract; and let neither scribe nor
witness suffer harm. If ye do (such harm), it would be wickedness in you. So
fear Allah; For it is Good that teaches you. And Allah is well acquainted with
all things. If ye are on a journey, and cannot find a scribe, a pledge with
possession (may serve the purpose). And if one of you deposits a thing on trust
with another, let the trustee (faithfully) discharge his trust, and let him Fear
his Lord conceal not evidence; for whoever conceals it, - his heart is tainted
with sin. And Allah knoweth all that ye do.
