Surah An-Nisa (4:8)

وَاِذَا حَضَرَ الۡقِسۡمَةَ اُولُوا الۡقُرۡبٰى وَالۡيَتٰمٰى وَالۡمَسٰكِيۡنُ فَارۡزُقُوۡهُمۡ مِّنۡهُ وَقُوۡلُوۡا لَهُمۡ قَوۡلًا مَّعۡرُوۡفًا‏ ۝

Wa-itha hadara alqismataoloo alqurba walyatama walmasakeenufarzuqoohum minhu waqooloo lahum qawlan maAAroofa

And when other relatives and orphans and the needy are present at the time of division, then provide for them something out of it i.e., the estate and speak to them words of appropriate kindness.

Tadabbur (Reflection)

Theme of the Ayat

The Ethics of Distribution: Providing a small share to non-heirs present at the division.

The Insight

If non-heirs (relatives, orphans, the poor) are present during the division of the inheritance, provide them with a gift from the estate and speak kindly to them. **Practice generosity in justice.** Even when dealing with strict legal divisions, go beyond the letter of the law to show kindness and support for non-heirs, softening the process of distribution.