Quote:
{2:283} And if you are on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then a security deposit [should be] taken. And if one of you entrusts another, then let him who is entrusted discharge his trust [faithfully] and let him fear God, his Lord. And do not conceal testimony, for whoever conceals it - his heart is indeed sinful, and God is Knowing of what you do.
{2:284} To God belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Whether you show what is within yourselves or conceal it, God will bring you to account for it. Then He will forgive whom He wills and punish whom He wills, and God is over all things competent.
Excellent translation, except again for the translation of
قدير to "competent." Should be "powerful."
"A security deposit [should be] taken" is a great translation of
رهان مقبوضة but a better one, IMHO, would be "a collateral [should be] taken." A security deposit brings to mind cash, while a collateral can be any asset, which is what
رهان is.
I suggest,
{2:283} And if you were on a travel and did not find a scribe, then a collateral held. But if you trusted each other, then let him who is entrusted deliver his trust and let him watch out for God, his Lord. And do not suppress testimony, for whoever suppresses it, then verily it is sinful - his heart, and God, of what you do, is All-Knowing.{2:284} To God belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. And whether you show what is within yourselves or conceal it, God brings you to account for it. Then He forgives whom He wills and torments whom He wills, and God, over everything, is Powerful.