Al-Mutaffifin 83:1 - Linguistic Miracle

Destruction for those who give less measure

The Arabs used a measuring container called a Mikyāl, in which goods were measured by filling it up to a defined level - usually the rim. When the contents reached that level, it was considered a full unit and priced accordingly. If someone wanted to cheat, he would not typically alter the bottom of the container, but rather manipulate the top level ( )الطُّ فَاف . When giving to others, he would reduce

the level slightly below the rim, giving less than what was due while making it appear full.

It is a small, marginal manipulation at the very boundary. A barely noticeable reduction or increase yet Allah affirms a place in Hell for these manipulators and cheaters for this action. They are not robbing people of thousands or even hundreds but rather a handful of pennies.

With regards to the word Wayl - translated as destruction - it means punishment, grief, and destruction. There are hadiths narrated from the Prophet ﷺ that Wayl refers to a valley in Hell in which the disbeliever is thrown. Al-Aṣmaʿī points out that whenever Allah uses the word Wayl for someone, then that person has earned a place in Hell. So these people, although they cheated people for a few pennies, have reserved a place in Hell for themselves for this action.

This surah is concerning those who wrong other people and how Allah will give justice to those whom these people wronged. This crime of cheating people of a few pennies stands for a larger reality that Allah will give people justice against those who

wronged them, even for the smallest misdeeds. Since Allah will do this for even the smallest of actions, it naturally follows that He will do the same for bigger actions of injustice.

After establishing the fact that justice will in fact be served to people for their actions, in this surah Allah mentions those who have been wronged and oppressed by other people and how they will be redeemed and their oppressors be made to pay for their oppression.