As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 83, Al-Mutaffifïn or the Dealers in Fraud, verses 1-17. These verses talk of those who defraud others and the punishments they will incur.
Tafseer for this selection concerns the word “fraud” and its explanation in verses 1-3.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.Woe to those who deal in fraud,[1] who when, they take by measure from men, take the full measure,[2] but when they give by measure or by weight to others, they give less than due.[3] Do they not think that they will be raised to life again[4] on a Mighty Day,[5] a Day when all mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds?[6] Indeed not! The record of the wicked is in Sijjeen (prison register),[7] what will explain to you, what the Sijjeen is?[8] This is a written book of hell.[9] Woe on that Day to the disbelievers,[10] who deny the Day of Judgment![11] None denies it except the sinful transgressor.[12] Who, when Our revelations are recited to him, says: “These are the tales of the ancient peoples.”[13] Of course not! In fact their misdeeds have caused a covering on their hearts.[14] Indeed on that Day, they shall be debarred from the vision of their Lord.[15] Then they shall be made to enter hell,[16] and told: “This is what you used to deny.”[17] 83:[1-17]
Ameen.
Tafseer
Concerning the word “fraud” and its explanation in verses 1-3:
“Fraud” must here be taken in the 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 be conceded 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 is due from you, whether you expect or wish to receive full consideration from the other side or not.
This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.
Thank you and be well.