وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا۟ ٱلنَّاسَ أَشْيَآءَهُمْ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ 183
Translations
And do not deprive people of their due and do not commit abuse on earth, spreading corruption.
Transliteration
Wa lā tabhsū an-nāsa ashyāʾahum wa lā taʿthaw fī al-arḍ mufsidīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands believers not to defraud or diminish people's rights and possessions, and to refrain from spreading corruption on earth. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a comprehensive prohibition against cheating in transactions, usurping others' property, and engaging in any form of mischief-making. The ayah establishes fundamental principles of justice, honesty, and social responsibility as essential components of faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which recounts the stories of various prophets and their messages to their peoples. This particular verse is part of Prophet Shu'aib's sermon to the people of Madyan, warning them against fraud in commerce and corruption—issues that were prevalent in their society and remain timeless tests of human morality.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi 3895), emphasizing justice in dealings. Additionally, 'Whoever deceives is not of us' (Sahih Muslim 102) directly addresses the prohibition against deception mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
In modern contexts, this ayah calls believers to integrity in all transactions—whether commercial, digital, or social—and reminds us that hoarding resources, tax evasion, wage theft, and environmental corruption are all forms of 'taʿthiyah' (spreading mischief) that violate Islamic principles of justice and stewardship of creation.