Surah Mutaffifin

Introduction
Name based on first Ayah
Zamaana e Nuzool
Early Meccan period based on the topics discussed.
Comes after after surahs where akhirah is discussed. Also in this time muslims
were not yet being persecuted as mentioned in the surah they were only made
fun of.

Ayah 1
Waeel is also the name of a valley in hell.
Taffeef means chotee, haqeer si cheez.
Used generally when measurements/balance/weights are changed secretely. The
change isn’t easily identifiable.
Not only includes giving less buy also taking more than fair.
Mutaffif is a person when he wants something wants more than he deserves or
when he gives he gives less than he should.

Bukhari (Sahih). Chapter of Punishments. - They did not cheat a little bit in
business, except;
1) The crops stopped growing. 2) They were seized by means of drought.

Ayah 2
Allah himself tells what he means by mutaffif.
The mutaffifs also argue/fight to get what they deserve or more.
Ayah 3
When they give to others its less than what he desereves. This is not just related
to those involved in /trade. Eg: Expense claims, Tax filing, False over time, second
hand selling.
The Quran instructs in various places to measure fairly. Surah bani Israel, surah
Rehman
The people of Shuaib a.s were punished because of the crime measuring unfairly
and unjustly.
Its not just the act of measuring unfairly which is criticized but also the attitude of
giving unfairly while wanting just treatment yourself which is being criticized also.
This informs us of our innate desire to be treated fairly/justly. If we don't want to
be cheated then we should also have the same standard for others and not want
to cheat them.
Even having this innate desire for justice why do we commits these act? Its not as
if he can’t distinguish between right and wrong, justice and oppression but its
because he is overcome by desire or want and is unable to maintain the balance
in his Nafs.
Eg: A thief would like to be stolen from.
A killer will not like to be killed.
If these evil doers were asked themselves objectively they will be of the opinion
themselves that these people should be punished. So innately they know that the
coming of the day of judgement is logical.
If a day of judgement is not brought then it means that the creator of this world
doesn't differentiate between good and bad. Good people and bad people are
same to him.
Ayah 4, 5, 6
Why do they behave this way because they believe they won’t be brought back to
life and be made to answer for their deeds?
Allah is the lord of everyone. The cheaters and those who cheated.

Ayah 7
The evil doers are mistaken if they think they will not be facing the day of
Judgement where they will be held accountable.
Kitab al Fujjaar
Their evil deeds are recorded in register of evil doers which is the register of
sijjeen.

Ayah 8, 9
Linguistically sijjeen means prison as the name of those worthy of punishment
and imprisonment are recorded in this register.

Ayah 10, 11
The reason for their corruption was their denial of the day of judgment.
Ayah 12
We are being informed what kind of people deny the day of judgement as no
sane, just, merciful person denies this day. No external proof/evidence is required
for this day to come. Our hearts/innate nature are proof enough.

They are in denial of this day because accepting this fact will have negative impact
on their desires and bad habits. That's why they make lame arguments against the
day of Judgement.

Ayah 13, 14
They deny the last day because of some evidence or proof. They don’t call they
day of Judgement “myth” or an “old tale” based on logic or reason or evidence.
This ayah also implies the punishment of those past people who denied the Last
day.
After committing sins continuously, the heart becomes rusted and filthy.
Specifically, the sins mentioned earlier in the surah.
They have become desensitized as they have committed crimes/sins
continuously.
They are in a state of denial, like a pigeon closes its eyes and thinks the cat is not
there.
But because of the sins they have committed their hearts have become rusted
(hadith) And no light can reach them so something which is completely logical
seems like a myth or a legend to them.
Another Hadith says the hearts also become rusted like iron and to purify your
heart remember death and recite the Quran (Bayhqi)
Ayah 15
The sinners won’t be able to see their Lord on that day. In the previous Surah that
Hell fire will be infront of them and they won’t be able to see anything else. This is
a punishment.
They also won’t be even given a chance to talk to their Lord or to say something.

Ayah 16, 17
They will be cast in hell and not even addressed by Allah (they will also be blocked
to hear his voice).

Accountability
This surah like many other surahs of meccan period deals with the concept of
Akhira.
Akhira: being raised after death to answer for your actions.
The people we have read about are those who reject the concept of
accountability.
Even in this world where systems of accountability are weak you find corruption
and crime widespread compared to where there is a strong system of
accountability. You don’t have to look further than your own country Pakistan.
Honesty/integrity based on pure reason, rationality, logic will not be everlasting.
(Honesty is the best policy). But when it’s based on God Consciousness, sense of
being held accountable to Allah and concept of Akhira.

When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated to Madinah he found the same