Surah 83. Al-Mutaffifin, Ayah 1
| وَيْلٌ لِلْمُطَفِّفِينَ |
| Transliteration | : | wayl li- al- mut.affifen |
| Pickthall | : | Woe unto the defrauders: |
| Asad | : | WOE UNTO THOSE who give short measure: |
| Malik | : | Woe to those who defraud, |
| Yusuf Ali | : | Woe to those that deal in fraud 6011 |
Note - 6011"Fraud" must here be taken in a widely general sense. It
covers giving short measure or short weight, but it
covers much more than that. The next two verses make it
clear that it is the spirit of injustice that is
condemned, giving too little and asking too much. This
may be shown in commercial dealings, where a man exacts a
higher standard in his own favour than he is willing to
concede as against him. In domestic or social matters an
individual or group may ask for honour, or respect, or
services which he or they are not willing to give on
their side in similar circumstances. It is worse than
one-sided selfishness: for it is double injustice. But it
is worst of all in religion or spiritual life: with what
face can a man ask for Mercy or Love from Allah when he
is unwilling to give it to his fellow-men? In one aspect
this is a statement of the Golden Rule. 'Do as you would
be done by'. But it is more completely expressed. You
must give in full what it due from you, whether you
expect or wish to receive full consideration from the
other side or not.
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"Fraud" must here be taken in a widely general sense. It covers giving short measure or short weight, but it covers much more than that. The next two verses make it clear that it is the spirit of injustice that is condemned, giving too little and asking too much. This may be shown in commercial dealings, where a man exacts a higher standard in his own favour than he is willing to concede as against him. In domestic or social matters an individual or group may ask for honour, or respect, or services which he or they are not willing to give on their side in similar circumstances. It is worse than one-sided selfishness: for it is double injustice. But it is worst of all in religion or spiritual life: with what face can a man ask for Mercy or Love from Allah when he is unwilling to give it to his fellow-men? In one aspect this is a statement of the Golden Rule. 'Do as you would be done by'. But it is more completely expressed. You must give in full what it due from you, whether you expect or wish to receive full consideration from the other side or not. |
