Surah Al-Mutaffifin – Khalid Al Jalil

Al-Mutaffifin ("Defrauding") is the 83rd surah of the Quran, in the 30th juz. It has 36 verses and is counted as Meccan, the last Meccan surah in the traditional order of revelation (86th, after Al-Ankabut), though some scholars consider it Medinan. It condemns cheating in weights and measures and contrasts the record of the wicked with that of the righteous.

It opens: woe to the defrauders, who take full measure from people but give less when they measure or weigh for them. Do they not think they will be raised for a tremendous Day, when mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds? (83:1-6). Ibn Abbas reports that when the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Medina its people were among the worst at measuring, until this surah was revealed and they became fair (Ibn Majah, graded hasan). Hence the view that it is Medinan; al-Kalbi said it was revealed between Mecca and Medina.

The record of the wicked is in Sijjin (83:7-9). What they used to earn has rusted over their hearts (83:14): the Prophet ﷺ explained that each sin leaves a black spot on the heart, polished away by repentance but spreading if one persists (at-Tirmidhi, graded hasan sahih). On that Day they will be veiled from their Lord (83:15).

The record of the righteous is in 'Illiyyin (83:18-21). They will recline on couches, their faces glowing with bliss, drinking a sealed nectar whose seal is musk: for this let the competitors compete (83:22-26). The surah ends by reversing the roles: the criminals used to laugh at the believers, but on that Day the believers will laugh at the disbelievers (83:29-36). Fair measure is also commanded in Al-Isra and in the story of Shu'ayb in Hud.