Surah An-Nisa
وَيَسْتَفْتُونَكَ فِى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِيهِنَّ وَمَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ فِى يَتَـٰمَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ٱلَّـٰتِى لَا تُؤْتُونَهُنَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُنَّ وَتَرْغَبُونَ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ وَأَن تَقُومُوا۟ لِلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمًا
Wa yastaftūnaka fin-nisā'(i), qulillāhu yuftīkum fīhinn(a), wa mā yutlā ‘alaikum fil-kitābi fī yatāman-nisā'il-lātī lā tu'tūnahunna mā kutiba lahunna wa targabūna an tankiḥūhunna wal-mustaḍ‘afīna minal-wildān(i), wa an taqūmū lil-yatāmā bil-qisṭ(i), wa mā taf‘alū min khairin fa innallāha kāna bihī ‘alīmā(n).
And they request from you, [O Muhammad], a [legal] ruling concerning women. Say, "Allah gives you a ruling about them and [about] what has been recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan girls to whom you do not give what is decreed for them - and [yet] you desire to marry them - and concerning the oppressed among children and that you maintain for orphans [their rights] in justice." And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allah is ever Knowing of it.
📝 Footnotes
169) See Surah an-Nisā’ (4:2‒3). 170) According to the customs of the pre-Islamic Jahiliyyah Arabs, a guardian held absolute authority over an orphan girl under his care, as well as over her wealth. If the orphan girl was beautiful, the guardian would marry her herself to maintain control over her property. If she was not physically attractive, the guardian would prevent her from marrying another man so that he could continue to exploit and control her wealth. This verse strictly forbids that practice.