Surah Al-Mutaffifin

Surah 83 · The Defrauding · 36 verses · meccan

Those Who Give Less — al-Mutaffifin, people who take full measure and give short measure.

The story

Some shopkeepers would take full weight when buying but give a bit less when selling. Allah revealed a whole surah about it. Cheating even a tiny bit is a big deal to Allah.

How it unfolds

AYAH 1-6
Short measure
Full in, short out — and a tremendous Day.
AYAH 7-17
The register
Sijjin and 'Illiyyun, and the rust that covers hearts.
AYAH 18-36
Who laughs last
Sealed nectar, a drink mixed from Tasnim, and the mockers finally observed.

Verses to carry

83:1"Woe to those who give less than due." A whole surah opening over a thumb on the scale.
83:14"Rather, the stain has covered their hearts of that which they were earning."
83:26"So for this let the competitors compete."

Remember this

Doing wrong leaves a mark on your heart, like rust. Doing good polishes it clean.

Talk about it

Is it ever okay to cheat "just a little bit"? What does this surah say?