The Debt Verse — Longest Verse in the Quran and Contract Documentation Rules
fiqh
Level: intermediate
muamalat
fqh-085
إِذَا تَدَايَنتُم بِدَيۡنٍ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمّٗى فَٱكۡتُبُوهُ
— البقرة 282
Verse: "O believers, when you contract a debt for a specified term — write it down. Let a scribe write between you with justice." (2:282)
Status: Longest verse in the Quran — revealed in Medina, establishing a complete system for safeguarding wealth and rights.
Rulings derived: (1) Writing: commanded for preserving rights — "write it down." (2) Just scribe: writes as dictated without bias. (3) Witnesses: two men, or one man and two women — "lest one forgets." (4) Pledge/collateral: "a held pledge" — alternative if writing is impossible while traveling. (5) No harm to scribe or witness.
Legal significance: This verse enshrines documentation and transparency in financial dealings — the Sharia foundation for any modern system of rights preservation.
Source: Al-Qurtubi (3/379); Al-Jassas (1/585); Ibn Kathir (1/756)
Question: Why is Quran 2:282 unique? Name three rulings from it.
Answer: It is the longest verse in the Quran. Three rulings: (1) writing down the debt (2) testimony of two men or one man and two women (3) pledge as alternative to writing when unavailable.