of what is left, and also the orphans, and the poor;
distribute unto them some part thereof; and if the
estate be too small, at least speak comfortably unto
them. And let those fear to abuse orphans, who
if they leave behind them a weak offspring, are solicitous
for them: let them therefore fear God, and speak
that which is convenient. Surely they who devour
the possessions of orphans unjustly, shall swallow
down nothing but fire into their bellies, and shall
broil in raging flames. God hath thus commanded
you concerning your children. A male shall have
as much as the share of two females: but if they
be females only, and above two in number, they shall
have two third-parts of what the deceased shall leave;
and if there be but one, she shall have the half.
And the parents of the deceased shall have each of
them a sixth part of what he shall leave, if he have
a child: but if he have no child, and his parents
be his heirs, then his mother shall have the third
part. And if he have brethren, his mother shall
have a sixth part, after the legacies[64] which he
shall bequeath, and his debts be paid. Ye know
not whether your parents or your children be of greater
use unto you. This is an ordinance from God,
and God is knowing and wise. Moreover, ye may
claim half of what your wives shall leave, if they
have no issue; but if they have issue, then ye shall
have the fourth part of what they shall leave, after
the legacies which they shall bequeath, and the debts
be paid. They also shall have the fourth part
of what ye shall leave, in case ye have no issue;
but if ye have issue, then they shall have the eighth
part of what ye shall leave, after the legacies which
ye shall bequeath and your debts be paid. And
if a man or woman’s substance be inherited by
a distant relation, and he or she have a brother or
sister; each of them two shall have a sixth part of
the estate. But if there be more than this number,
they shall be equal sharers in a third part, after
payment of the legacies which shall be bequeathed,
and the debts, without prejudice to the heirs.
This is an ordinance from God: and God is knowing
and gracious. These are the statutes of God.
And whoso obeyeth God and his apostle, God shall lead
him into gardens wherein rivers flow, they shall continue
therein forever; and this shall be great happiness.
But whoso disobeyeth God, and his apostle, and transgresseth
his statutes, God shall cast him into hell fire; he
shall remain therein forever, and he shall suffer
a shameful punishment. If any of your women be
guilty of whoredom, produce four witnesses from among
you against them, and if they bear witness against
them, imprison them in separate apartments until death
release them, or God affordeth them a way to escape.[65]
And if two of you commit the like wickedness, punish
them both: but if they repent and amend, let
them both alone; for God is easy to be reconciled
and merciful. Verily repentance will be accepted
with God, from those who do evil ignorantly, and then