وَإِذَا كَالُوهُمْ أَو وَّزَنُوهُمْ يُخْسِرُونَ 3
Translations
But if they give by measure or by weight to them, they cause loss.
Transliteration
Wa-idha kaaloohum aw wazzanoohum yukhsiroon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the dishonest practice of merchants who cheat customers by giving less when measuring or weighing goods for them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this refers to deliberate fraud where merchants intentionally short-change buyers, which is a grave sin that violates trust and justice. The phrase 'yukhsiroon' (they cause loss/cheat) highlights the active deception involved in this commercial malpractice.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Mutaffifin opens by condemning those who give short measure and weight, addressing a prevalent practice among Meccan merchants of the pre-Islamic era. This ayah specifically illustrates the cheating behavior condemned in the surah's opening, establishing the practical context of commercial dishonesty that the surah condemns as a major moral transgression.
Related Hadiths
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever cheats us is not from us' (Sahih Muslim 102). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' and warned against fraud in all transactions (Jami' at-Tirmidhi and other sources on business ethics).
Themes
Key Lesson
Honesty and fairness in all transactions—whether commercial or personal—are fundamental Islamic values that please Allah and build trust in society. Cheating others, even in small amounts, is a serious sin that contradicts Islamic principles of justice and integrity.