About Surah Al-Mutaffifin

The people of Madinah were notoriously corrupt in giving short weights and measures just before the Emigration. Acting as a prologue to the Prophet’s (ﷺ) entry, these 36 verses served to purify the city's commercial practices. Placed 86th in revelation order between Sūrat al-ʿAnkabūt and al-Baqarah, the text draws its titles—including al-Taṭfīf (The Fraud) and Waylun li-l-muṭaffifīn (Woe to the Defrauders)—from its opening denunciation.

The warning moves rapidly from the marketplace to the Day of Judgment, establishing that cheating a buyer stems directly from denying ultimate accountability. The verses then split into a stark contrast between two ledgers. The actions of the wicked are bound in the lowly record of Sijjīn alongside their promised torment, while the righteous have their deeds preserved in the high ranks of ‘Illiyyūn.

The worldly scorn and laughter that polytheists once directed at the believers is entirely overturned on the Day of Resurrection. From their elevated stations of bliss, the righteous look down to mock the disbelievers facing their severe reckoning.

Surah 83 Juz 30 36 verses

Al-Mutaffifin

The Defrauding Meccan

083

Surah Info Reflections Layers

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

83:1

Woe to those who give short measure,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

83:2

who demand of other people full measure for themselves,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

83:3

but give less than they should when it is they who weigh or measure for others!

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

83:4

Do these people not realize that they will be raised up

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

83:5

on a mighty Day,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

83:6

a Day when everyone will stand before the Lord of the Worlds?

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

83:7

No indeed! The list of the wicked is in Sijjin––

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

83:8

what will explain to you what Sijjin is?––

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

83:9

a clearly numbered list.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem