Surah 83. Al-Mutaffifin

WOE UNTO THOSE who give short measure:

  - Mohammad Asad

Woe to those who defraud,

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Woe to the defrauders!

  - Mustafa Khattab

Woe unto the defrauders:

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Woe to those that deal in fraud ⁶⁰¹¹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

"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.

those who, when they are to receive their due from [other] people, demand that it be given in full -

  - Mohammad Asad

who when, they take by measure from men, take the full measure,

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Those who take full measure 'when they buy' from people,

  - Mustafa Khattab

Those who when they take the measure from mankind demand it full,

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Those who when they have to receive by measure from men exact full measure.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

but when they have to measure or weigh whatever they owe to others, give less than what is due!¹

  - Mohammad Asad

This passage (verses 1-3) does not, of course, refer only to commercial dealings but touches upon every aspect of social relations, both practical and moral, applying to every individual's rights and obligations no less than to his physical possessions.

but when they give by measure or by weight to others, they give less than due.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

but give less when they measure or weigh for buyers.

  - Mustafa Khattab

But if they measure unto them or weigh for them, they cause them loss.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

But when they have to give by measure or weight to men give less than due.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Do they not know that they are bound to be raised from the dead

  - Mohammad Asad

Do they not think that they will be raised to life again

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Do such people not think that they will be resurrected

  - Mustafa Khattab

Do such (men) not consider that they will be again

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Do they not think that they will be called to account? ⁶⁰¹²

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Legal and social sanctions against Fraud depend for their efficacy on whether there is a chance of being found out. Moral and religious sanctions are of a different kind. 'Do you wish to degrade your own nature?' 'Do you not consider that there is a Day of Account before a Judge Who knows all, and Who safeguards all interests, for He is the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds? Whether other people know anything about your wrong or not, you are guilty before Allah'.

[and called to account] on an awesome Day -

  - Mohammad Asad

on a Mighty Day,

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

for a tremendous Day-

  - Mustafa Khattab

Unto an awful Day,

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

On a Mighty Day

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali