Name of Surah al-Mutaffifin
This surah is called al-Mutaffifin because it begins by ‘Waylun lilmutaffifin’ translated into ‘83:1 Woe to the defrauders!
The defrauders are people who give less than due when selling to people; however, they demand full measurement when buying from people, which indicates their corruption as they cheat people, but do not accept to be cheated. Thus, they deserve severe warning and painful torment in the Hereafter. That is because they consume people’s rights unlawfully, which is a grave sin.
The scholars differ about where this surah was revealed, whether in Mecca or al-Madinah. Their opinions can be summarized as follows: 1) It was revealed in Mecca. 2) It was revealed in al-Madinah. 3) It was revealed on the road between Mecca and al-Madinah.
Surah al-Mutaffifin discusses topics that are usually mentioned in Meccy surahs, such as speaking about the wicked, the Day of Judgment, and the opinions of the disbelievers on the Quran, which indicates that it might be revealed in Mecca.
Surah al-Mutaffifin contains thirty-six ayah and it is surah number eighty-three according to the arrangement of the written copy of the Quran, al-Mushaf.
Main Theme of Surah al-Mutaffifin
The surah focuses on economic corruption and the severe punishment that is prepared for those who consume people’s rights unlawfully.
Relationship between Surah al-Infitar and al-Mutaffifin
In Surah al-Infitar, Allah says, interpretation of the meaning, [82:19 The day when no soul shall possess anything for another soul and the command on that day shall belong to Allah.] This indicates a severe warning to the wicked. Then surah al-Mutaffifin says, [83:1 Woe to the defrauders!] This is a warning of giving people less than their dues and consuming their rights unlawfully.
Both surahs mention some of the horrors of the Day of Judgment. Besides, surah al-Infitar mentions that there are angelic watchers over human beings, who write their deeds, [82:10 Indeed, there are over you watchers, noble, writers who know what you do.] Then surah al-Mutaffifin mentions that what the angels write is preserved in a book that does not omit anything. [83:20 It is a register, inscribed…]
Both surahs mention that people will be divided into two parties: the righteous who will enter Paradise, and the wicked who will enter Hell. Surah al-Mutaffifin mentions an example of the wicked deeds of the disobedient, i.e. cheating people and consuming their rights unlawfully.
Topics Discussed in Surah al-Mutaffifin
• Surah al-Mutaffifin discusses topics related to the creed. It also refers to some social ethics, such as giving people less than their dues when dealing with them.
• The surah mentions a severe warning to those who cheat people when dealing with them.
• The surah mentions that the deeds of the wicked will be recorded in the book of evil and that their end will be Hell.
• The surah mentions that the deeds of the righteous will be recorded in the book of good deeds and that their end will be Paradise.
• The surah mentions the attitude of the disbelievers towards the believers in the worldly life. They used to ridicule them because they believed in Allah’s Oneness and His Messengers. However, in the Hereafter, the revers will happen. The believers will laugh at the disbelievers who will be suffering from the torment of Hell.
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