'Abdullāh Ibn 'Abbās / Muḥammad al-Fīrūzabādī
تفسير : (prove orphans) test the intelligence of orphans (till they reach the marriageable age) the age of puberty; (then, if ye find them of) if you see that they possess (sound judgement) righteousness in religion and a tendency to protect their wealth, (deliver over unto them their fortune) then give their wealth which is with you; (and devour it not squandering) it in transgression and unlawfully (and in haste) in haste lest the orphan grows older and consumes it little by little (lest they should grow up) for fear that they grow older and stop you from devouring their wealth. (whoso (of the guardians) is rich) and needs not the orphan's wealth, (let him abstain generously) because of his richness from taking of the property of orphans, nor should he diminish anything from their wealth; (and whoso is poor) and needy (let him take thereof in reason (for his guardianship)) in measure, such that he is not in need for the wealth of orphans; it is also said that this means: he should take from the wealth of orphans in proportion with the measure of his work regarding this wealth; and it is also said that this means: he can take from the wealth of orphans as a loan to be paid back. (and when ye deliver up their fortune unto orphans) when they reach the legal age, (have (the transaction) witnessed in their presence) when you deliver it to them. (allah sufficeth as a reckoner) allah suffices as a witness. this verse was revealed about thabit ibn rifa'ah al-ansari.
Jalāl al-Dīn al-Maḥallī
تفسير : try, test, well the orphans, before reaching maturity with regard [the duties of] religion and [before] they can [legally] manage their own affairs, until they reach the age of marrying, that is, until they have become eligible for it through puberty or [legal] age, which, according to al-shāfi‘ī, is the completion of fifteen years; then, if you perceive in them maturity, that is, right [judgement] in matters of religion and their property, deliver their property to them; consume it not, o guardians, wastefully, without due merit, and in haste, that is, hastening to expend it, fearing, lest they should grow up, and become mature, at which time you will be obliged to hand it over to them. if any man, who is a guardian, is rich, let him be abstinent, that is, let him abstain from the orphan’s property and refrain from consuming it; if he is poor, let him consume, of it, honourably, that is, in line with the wage for his work. and when you deliver to them, the orphans, their property, take witnesses over them, that they have received it and that you are absolved [of the obligation], so that if any dispute occurs, you are able to refer to a clear proof: this is a command [intended] for guidance. god suffices as a reckoner, as a guardian of his creatures’ deeds and as a reckoner of these [deeds] (the bā’ [in bi’llāhi] is extra).
Ali ibn Ahmad al-Wahidi
تفسير : (prove orphans…) [4:6].
this was revealed about thabit ibn rifa‘ah and his uncle. rifa‘ah died when his son thabit was very young. the uncle of thabit went to the messenger of allah, allah bless him and give him peace, and said: “the son of my brother is an orphan under my care, what is lawful for me from his wealth? and when should i give him back his wealth?” and so allah, exalted is he, revealed this verse.
