سُوْرَةُ المُطَفِّفِيْنَ
Surah Al-Mutaffifin (83) — Ayah 2
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ٱكْتَالُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ يَسْتَوْفُونَ ﴿2﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, demand full measure,
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
Those who
إِذَا
idhā
when
ٱكْتَالُوا۟
ik'tālū
they take a measure
عَلَى
ʿalā
from
ٱلنَّاسِ
l-nāsi
the people
يَسْتَوْفُونَ
yastawfūna
they take in full
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
2. Those who, when they take a measure from people, take in full [2].
[2]
Different Forms of Cheating in Measurement:
Taking your full due by measuring is not a crime. This only becomes a crime when one takes their full due but gives less to others. Then, there are several forms of excess or deficiency in this crime. One is that a person takes less for himself and also gives less to others—in other words, his scale or weight itself is small, and he uses the same for both taking and giving, and does not cheat. In this case, it is still a crime, but the severity of the crime is lessened. The second is that a person takes the full or even more when receiving, but gives less when giving. In this case, the crime is doubled or even tripled. The real foundation of transactions is justice, that is, to give in full. And in countless places in the Noble Quran, there is a strict emphasis that when you weigh, weigh with a straight scale, and do not give anyone less than their due. Taking full or more and giving less to others is such a grave crime that, because of it, the people of Sayyiduna Shu‘ayb ؑ were subjected to punishment. Islam has instructed Muslims to go beyond justice, to the level of ihsan (excellence) or self-sacrifice, and that is, when taking one’s due, to be content with a little less, and when giving, to give a little more. Thus, once the Prophet ﷺ went to the market of Madinah. Someone was weighing grain; the Prophet ﷺ instructed him, “Weigh and tip the scale a little” [نسائي، كتاب البيوع]—that is, weigh and let the scale lean a little (in favor of the buyer). Reflect: in a society where such a practice becomes common, could any dispute ever arise in transactions?
The Instruction to Tip the Scale:
And the person who gives by tipping the scale will also receive his due in the same way—with the scale tipped in his favor. And he will not be left wanting in any way. Then, the mercy and blessings of Allah Almighty that will descend upon such a society can only be estimated through experience.
[2]
Different Forms of Cheating in Measurement:
Taking your full due by measuring is not a crime. This only becomes a crime when one takes their full due but gives less to others. Then, there are several forms of excess or deficiency in this crime. One is that a person takes less for himself and also gives less to others—in other words, his scale or weight itself is small, and he uses the same for both taking and giving, and does not cheat. In this case, it is still a crime, but the severity of the crime is lessened. The second is that a person takes the full or even more when receiving, but gives less when giving. In this case, the crime is doubled or even tripled. The real foundation of transactions is justice, that is, to give in full. And in countless places in the Noble Quran, there is a strict emphasis that when you weigh, weigh with a straight scale, and do not give anyone less than their due. Taking full or more and giving less to others is such a grave crime that, because of it, the people of Sayyiduna Shu‘ayb ؑ were subjected to punishment. Islam has instructed Muslims to go beyond justice, to the level of ihsan (excellence) or self-sacrifice, and that is, when taking one’s due, to be content with a little less, and when giving, to give a little more. Thus, once the Prophet ﷺ went to the market of Madinah. Someone was weighing grain; the Prophet ﷺ instructed him, “Weigh and tip the scale a little” [نسائي، كتاب البيوع]—that is, weigh and let the scale lean a little (in favor of the buyer). Reflect: in a society where such a practice becomes common, could any dispute ever arise in transactions?
The Instruction to Tip the Scale:
And the person who gives by tipping the scale will also receive his due in the same way—with the scale tipped in his favor. And he will not be left wanting in any way. Then, the mercy and blessings of Allah Almighty that will descend upon such a society can only be estimated through experience.
