Surah Al-Mutaffifin, Ayah 1-3

August 23, 2025

وَيْلٌ لِّلْمُطَفِّفِينَ ۝ الَّذِينَ إِذَا اكْتَالُوا عَلَى النَّاسِ يَسْتَوْفُونَ ۝ وَإِذَا كَالُوهُمْ أَو وَّزَنُوهُمْ يُخْسِرُونَ

Woe to those who give less [than due], Who, when they take a measure from people, take in full. But if they give by measure or by weight to them, they cause loss.

ہلاکت ہے ناپ تول میں کمی کرنے والوں کے لیے، جو جب لوگوں سے ناپ کر لیتے ہیں تو پورا لیتے ہیں، اور جب انہیں ناپ کر یا تول کر دیتے ہیں تو کم کر دیتے ہیں۔

Reflection

These verses strongly condemn those who practice dishonesty in business dealings, specifically in weights and measures. The "mutaffifin" are those who cheat by taking full measure when receiving but giving less when selling. This represents a broader principle of fairness and justice in all transactions. The severe warning ("woe") indicates that such dishonesty is a major sin that brings divine punishment. This teaching emphasizes that Islam requires complete honesty in business dealings and that cheating others, even in small amounts, is a serious moral violation. The verses establish that economic justice and fair dealing are fundamental religious obligations, not just social conventions.

Context

These verses open Surah Al-Mutaffifin (The Defrauding), which condemns dishonest business practices. They establish the importance of fairness and honesty in commercial dealings.

Themes

Business Ethics Honesty Economic Justice

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