o believers when you contract a debt for a fixed term you should put it in writing. let a scribe write with equity the document for the parties. the scribe whom allah has given the gift of literacy should not refuse to write. let him write and let the one under obligation dictate and he should fear allah his lord and should not diminish from or add anything to the terms which have been settled. but if the borrower be of low understanding or weak or unable to dictate then let the guardian of his interests dictate it with equity. and let two men from among you bear witness to all such documents. but if two men be not available there should be one man and two women to bear witness so that if one of the women forgets the other may remind her. the witnesses should be from among such people whom you approve of as witnesses. when the witnesses are asked to testify they should not refuse to do so. do not neglect to reduce to writing your transaction for a specified term whether it be big or small. allah considers this more just for you for it facilitates the establishment of evidence and lessens doubts and suspicions. of course there is no harm if you do not put in writing the common transactions you conclude daily on the spot but in case of commercial transactions you should have witnesses. the scribe and the witnesses should not be harassed if you do so you shall be guilty of sin. you should guard against the wrath of allah he gives you the knowledge of the right way for allah has the knowledge of everything.
يا أيها الذين آمنوا إذا تداينتم بدين إلى أجل مسمى فاكتبوه وليكتب بينكم كاتب بالعدل ولا يأب كاتب أن يكتب كما علمه الله فليكتب وليملل الذي عليه الحق وليتق الله ربه ولا يبخس منه شيئا فإن كان الذي عليه الحق سفيها أو ضعيفا أو لا يستطيع أن يمل هو فليملل وليه بالعدل واستشهدوا شهيدين من رجالكم فإن لم يكونا رجلين فرجل وامرأتان ممن ترضون من الشهداء أن تضل إحداهما فتذكر إحداهما الأخرى ولا يأب الشهداء إذا ما دعوا ولا تسأموا أن تكتبوه صغيرا أو كبيرا إلى أجله ذلكم أقسط عند الله وأقوم للشهادة وأدنى ألا ترتابوا إلا أن تكون تجارة حاضرة تديرونها بينكم فليس عليكم جناح ألا تكتبوها وأشهدوا إذا تبايعتم ولا يضار كاتب ولا شهيد وإن تفعلوا فإنه فسوق بكم واتقوا الله ويعلمكم الله والله بكل شيء عليم