Al-Mutaffifeen (ٱلْمُطَفِّفِين)

Surah Al-Mutaffifin (الْمُطَفِّفِين) is the 83^rd surah of the Quran. The name of the Surah is taken from the second word of its first verse, وَيْلٌ لِّـلْمُطَفِّفِيْن, which means “WOE TO THOSE who give short measure”. It refers to the evil practice of the disbelievers in the earlier days of Islam, where they used to deceive others in weighing and measuring the goods, during sale and purchase. They used to demand full and accurate measures and weights when buying from others. Contrary to that, they gave short-measured goods while selling to others. This dishonesty in business and trade is condemned in this Surah.

The Surah also emphasizes the consequences on the Day of Resurrection for those who deny the reality of the Final Judgement. It was sent down at a time when the Meccans used to disgrace and ridicule the believers, publicly, although they hadn’t yet started persecution and manhandling. The distinction between believers and disbelievers and their fate on the Day of Judgement is also described in this Surah.

Shaan e Nazool (Historical Background)

Surah Al-Mutaffifin was revealed before the Prophet’s صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ migration to Medina. It was the time when the disbelievers of Mecca were involved in an evil practice in their trading and business. They would deceive the people by short measures and weights when selling something, whereas they used to demand accurate and full measures when buying goods from them. This act of dishonesty needed to be condemned. Moreover, the disbelievers did not accept the reality of the Resurrection on the Day of Final Judgement. At the same time, the clear dissimilarity between the believers and disbelievers was also required to encourage the Muslims.

Under these circumstances, Surah Al-Mutaffifin was revealed. Hence, it addresses all these issues in a beautiful Quranic way, so as to make them realize the consequences of dishonest behavior in their business and trade dealings. They are warned about the consequences of this dishonesty, which would be their fate on the Day of Resurrection. 

·Makki or Madni Surah

The theme and the subject matter of Surah Al-Mutaffifin clearly reflect that this is a Makki Surah. It was revealed during the earlier days of Meccan life of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. Sometimes, the revelation of this Surah is discussed under the context of a tradition, narrated by Ibn Abbas, saying that it was revealed in Medina, which is a misinterpretation of the tradition. The consensus of the scholars about its revelation is that it was revealed during the earlier days of Islam in Mecca. Hence, it is grouped under the Makki Surahs.  

·Place in the Quran

It is the 83^rd Surah of the Quran. Surah Al-Mutaffifin is placed in Juzz (para) 30. It can be found before Surah Al-Inshiqaq (the 84^th Surah) and after Surah Al-Infitar (the 82^nd Surah). Per the order of revelation, it is the 86^th Surah, whereas in the sequence of recitation, it falls at number 83. It is the 6^th Surah within the 30^th Juzz.  

• Number of Verses: Surah Al-Mutaffifin has 36 verses.
• Number of Ruku (Sections): Surah Al-Mutaffifin contains 1 section (Ruku).

Significance of Surah Al-Mutaffifin

Surah Al-Mutaffifin is a highly virtuous surah as it addresses a very critical issue of dishonesty in trade dealings. It teaches us high moral, social and spiritual lessons. Dishonest trading was a common practice during the earlier days of Islam, within the community of disbelievers. They used to give less measured goods when selling and demand accurate weights when buying from others. The Surah addresses this issue by clearly defining the Islamic ethics of trading, the correct measurements and fair dealing. This principle still forms the moral and ethical grounds of the modern trades and businesses.

Going further, the surah also defines the difference between the righteous and the evildoers and their fate on the Day of Resurrection and Final Judgement, sijjin being the fate of the dishonest and illiyun being the destination of the righteous people. At the time of the revelation of this Surah, the disbelievers were in denial about the reality of the resurrection and the Final Judgement. The concept of resurrection is therefore clearly mentioned in this Surah. Hence, Surah Al-Mutaffifin signifies the importance of honesty in trade dealings, social justice, fear of accountability on the Day of Resurrection, and the reality of the life hereafter.

Themes and Subject Matter of Surah Al-Mutaffifin

The main subject discussed in Surah Al-Mutaffifin is the practice of trade dishonesty, which was very common among the disbelievers of Mecca at that stage. The first six verses of this Surah describe this evil practice and its consequences. People are warned against this fraudulent behavior in trading. This sets the Islamic principles of morality when dealing with others. It is established in this part of the Surah that those following such an evil practice are not aware of the life hereafter. They don’t realize the fact that on the Day of Resurrection, they would be punished.

This concept of Divine punishment is described in verses 7 to 9 of this Surah. The fate of such people is described as their record being written in “Sijjin”, which in the Quranic words is a “distinctly written record”. In the next 8 verses, the concept of the Day of Resurrection is described, which is denied by the disbelievers. It is mentioned here that the destination of the disbelievers is Hell.

Then in the verses from 18-28, the greatest end of the righteous is described. It is mentioned here that their deeds are being recorded in the list of the dignified people, on which are appointed the angels nearest to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.  The fate of the believers and righteous people is described, saying their account is being recorded in “Illiyun”, a distinctly written record of the righteous people (as per Quranic words). The difference between the fates of the corrupt and the righteous serves as motivation for moral integrity. So, the believers are consoled, and the disbelievers warned.

The theme of this surah can be summarized as under:

• Condemnation of dishonest practices in business and trade dealings.
• Warning against the punishment on the Day of Resurrection.
• Rewards for the righteous on the Day of Final Judgement.
• Reality of the life hereafter.
• Differentiation between evil doers and righteous persons.

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Mutaffifin

Surah Al-Mutaffifin carries huge moral, practical and spiritual benefits. Although no specific benefits are associated with its recitation, in any of the authentic traditions, the theme, subject, and lessons taught in this Surah hold great significance; hence, its recitation is highly recommended.

Some of the major benefits and virtues of reciting this Surah are summarized here:

• It protects from committing dishonesty and fraud in financial transactions. It is a powerful reminder against any such intentions while dealing with trade and business transactions.
• Consistent recitation of this Surah brings fear of Divine punishment, which protects us from fraudulent and mischievous deeds.
• It strengthens Taqwa. While reciting it, we realize the difference between the sinful and the righteous people. It also reminds us that every deed of ours is being recorded.
• It reminds us of the reality of the Day of Resurrection and Final Judgement; hence enhances our belief in the final accountability.
• It helps us overcome the instinct of greediness and materialism.
• Regular recitation is a sort of reminder for us to follow the ethical and moral values, as well as social justice, in our day-to-day dealings.
• Above all, we get the benefits of reciting the Quranic verses.

Listen to the Recitation of Surah Al-Mutaffifin by Renowned Qaris

Reading the Quranic verses with correct pronunciation is extremely important. Even a minor mistake in the pronunciation of a word might entirely change its meaning. While reciting the Quran, it becomes crucial to read it exactly in the same way as was revealed, as these are the words of Allah, سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Any wrong pronunciation may lead to an entirely different meaning.

It would be even more difficult for a non-Arabic speaking person to correctly pronounce the Quranic verses, whereas reading the Quran with Tajweed is crucial. In this context, listening to the recitation of an authentic Qari might help us read it with Tajweed. On the other hand, sometimes, one would like to just listen to the Quran, instead of reading it oneself. To assist you, we at Muslim and Quran have uploaded recitation of the Quran by various renowned reciters (Qaris). You can find and select a particular Qari to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You just need to download the MuslimandQuran mobile application to listen to the Qaris of your preference.

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Surah Al-Mutaffifin PDF

Although it is easy to read the Quran, directly on the website or mobile application of Muslim and Quran, sometimes you may like to read it offline. At Muslim and Quran, we provide this facility as well. You can download Surah Al-Mutaffifin in PDF for reading later.

Surah Al-Mutaffifin can be downloaded in PDF by following these simple steps:

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