2 Preface وَآتُوا اليَتامىٰ أَموالَهُم ۖ وَلا تَتَبَدَّلُوا الخَبيثَ بِالطَّيِّبِ ۖ وَلا تَأكُلوا أَموالَهُم إِلىٰ أَموالِكُم ۚ إِنَّهُ كانَ حوبًا كَبيرًاYusuf AliTo orphans restore their property (When they reach their age), nor substitute (your) worthless things for (their) good ones; and devour not their substance (by mixing it up)1 with your own. For this is indeed a great sin. Justice to orphans is enjoined, and three things are particularly mentioned as temptations in the way of a guardian: (1) He must not postpone restoring all his ward’s property when the time comes; subject to 4:5 below. (2) If there is a list of property, it is not enough that that list should be technically followed: the property restored must be of equal value to the property received: the same principle applies where there is no list. (3) If property is managed together, or where perishable goods must necessarily be consumed, the strictest probity is necessary when the separation takes place, and this is insisted on. See also 2:220 and note.