- Woe to Al-Mutaffifin [those who give less in measure and weight (decrease the rights of others)].
Mutaffifin are the ones who commit unnoticeable theft, retaining maybe 0.5% out of 100%. It could be in goods, services, or rights. Allah (swt) announces a warning of hopeless and unimaginable destruction for them, a clear sign of His anger.
Imam Ash-Shanqeeti observes the order of this Ayat, where the word “Wayl” has come before “Mutaffifeen”. It denotes high danger of the big crime people are committing by usurping tangible and intangible rights of others. The world economies are regulated by it, thus impacting globally.
“Wayl” is also one of the most dangerous valleys in the Hell, which Hell itself has sought refuge from.
Allah (swt) has created this world on the principles of justice. Hence, He is angered by anyone, who is unjust. Cruel kingdoms and famines are a direct punishment for such nations to be followed by devastation in the hereafter.
- Those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, demand full measure.
Imam Al-Bayhaqi states that bad Akhlaq leads to a bad ending. This person steals and cheats others for the love of this world. His tactics are lowly, whereas nobility of character demands justice. Any kind soul will never even think of striping others of their rights. However, when disbelievers demand their rights, they will stoop to any level to get them.
- And when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due.
When it is time to repay others, they have double standards. They are run by a win-lose mentality. This can include turning up late for work, leaving early from work, wearing insufficient clothes, not initiating Salam to others, and hastening one’s prayers. It is a decrease of any and every kind that we frequently and unintentionally indulge into every day.
- Think they not that they will be resurrected (for reckoning).
Allah (swt) criticizes them for their negligence. Their weak belief in the Akhirah is the root cause of their corrupt thoughts.
- On a Great Day.
It is an enormous day because of its frightfulness.
- The Day when (all) humankind will stand before the Lord of the Alamin (humankind, Jinns and all that exists)?
Imam Al-Qurtubi narrates that this Ayat gives an impressive and clear sign. The fraud and cheating they are involved in is a huge sin. How will they face (the Lord of the worlds)? It will be standing of 50,000 days.
- Nay! Truly, the Record (writing of the deeds) of the Fujjar(disbelievers, sinners, evil-doers and wicked) is (preserved) in Sijjin.
The records and souls of all evil people and Jinn are kept in Sijjin. Fujjar is an impulsive sinner. He is a Mutaffif.
- And what will make you know what Sijjin is?
Sijjin is a prison, seven layers below the ground.
- A Register inscribed.
It is a secure record. Marqoom is a writing that cannot be erased. It is as if embossed on cloth.
- Woe, that Day, to those who deny [(Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Day of Resurrection, and Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments)].
Allah (swt) announces destruction for the ones who do not believe in His Ghaib (unseen world) that exists today. They do not reject it with their tongue but with their beliefs and actions.
- Those who deny the Day of Recompense.
They simply deny the Day of Resurrection.
- And none can deny it except every transgressor beyond bounds, (in disbelief, oppression and disobedience of Allah, the sinner!)
Aseem refers to a sinful transgressor who is continually involved in a cycle of sin. His sin is connected to his heart, and he is a slave of strong desires and internal corruption.
- When Our Verses (of the Quran) are recited to him he says: ‘Tales of the ancients!’
This sinner refers to the Quran as legends of the former people – nothing to be believed in or followed.
- Nay! But on their hearts is the Ran(covering of sins and evil deeds), which they used to earn.
Just as iron rusts due to oxidization, the hearts become rusty and covered. Imam Al-Qurtubi states Raan is a state, where a sinner commits a sin and every sin puts a black spot on the heart, until the heart is covered with blackness.
Each sin is also equivalent to the prick of a needle. Repeated pricks render the heart with holes like a strainer and make it dysfunctional. The heart is unable to accept Naseehah and hold any goodness or Khair.
Abu Hurairah (rtam) reported that sins place a black dot on the sinner’s heart. If he repents and offers Taubah, the dot disappears. If the person repeats his sin, the dot also reappears. Taubah is the cleanser of Raan, and it refreshes the heart.
- Nay! Surely, they (evil-doers) will be veiled from seeing their Lord that Day.
Imam Ash-Shawkani states that people who preferred to stay away from Tauheed in the world, in Akhirah will not be permitted to see Allah’s (swt) honourable face. Allah (swt) will appear before the believers only. This is the greatest and gravest loss one can perceive, not be able to meet and see the Creator.
- Then, verily they will indeed enter and taste the burning flame of Hell.
And they will fall into Hell eventually.
- Then, it will be said to them: ‘This is what you used to deny!’
They will witness what the disbelievers denied. A Mutaffif rejects Allah’s (swt) Ayat by his actions – by not paying heed to them and not following them.
- Nay! Verily, the Record (writing of the deeds) of Al-Abrar (the pious who fear Allah and avoid evil), is (preserved) in Illiyyun.
The records and souls of the good people are preserved above the seven heavens. Al-Birr means goodness. Al-Abrar are the ones who repay in full (tangible things and intangible rights). They follow the win-win mindset.
- And what will make you know what Illiyyun is?
What is Illiyyun?
- A Register inscribed.
It is a secure record. Marqoom is a writing that cannot be erased. It is as if embossed on cloth.
- To which bear witness those nearest (to Allah, i.e., the angels).
The closest angels to Allah (swt) are present to witness Illiyyun.
- Verily, Al-Abrar (the pious who fear Allah and avoid evil) will be in delight (Paradise).
Al-Abrar will find their recompense with Allah (swt). They will be surrounded by Allah’s (swt) blessings.
- On thrones, looking (at all things).
They will be seated exclusively and comfortably on couches with canopies viewing the blessings around them.
- You will recognize in their faces the brightness of delight.
Their faces will reveal the pampering they have experienced.
- They will be given to drink pure sealed wine.
They will be served pure and sealed wine.
- The last thereof (that wine) will be the smell of musk, and for this let (all) those strive who want to strive (i.e., hasten earnestly to the obedience of Allah).
Imam Al-Aloosi explains that Al-Mutanafisoon are believers who are quick to obey and please Allah (swt). The root of Mutanafas is ‘noble/ lofty/ high’. This believer competes to gain rewards, without harming his competitors. He is a principled competitor whose Nafs grow. His efforts are double: one to compete and the other to maintain a high character.
Imam Ash-Shanqeeti highlights the initial part of the Surah, that a Mutaffif while competing collects (Wayl) of Day of Judgement, which means utter destruction, because of his cheating and fraud.
- It (that wine) will be mixed with Tasnim.
Tasnim is a pure and exotic mixture. This drink was meant for those, who committed pure and best deeds for Allah (swt).
- A spring whereof drink those nearest to Allah.
This spring is at the height of Jannah and Maqarrib will drink in delight from it. They obeyed all of Allah’s (swt) commands leaving out the Mubah (deeds that were not sinful but had shades of doubt). Hence, they earned the title of Muqarriboon.
- Verily! (During the worldly life) those who committed crimes used to laugh at those who believed.
This is a common reality, when criminals feel secure and smart about their temporary material success. They are heedless of Allah’s (swt) grip upon them and, hence, ridicule the believers, terming them as losers.
- And whenever they passed by them, used to wink one to another (in mockery).
Their lowly and conceited thinking reflected in their body language, derisive glances and behavior towards the believers. They did not hide their arrogance but rather displayed it in mock and leg pulling.
- And when they returned to their own people, they would return jesting.
Imam As-Sadi explains that a Mutaffif’s greatest loss is his self-deception. He is happy, as he does not have to undergo any worldly trial; hence, he believes that he is safe. Allah (swt) did not punish them in the world, which formed incorrect paradigms for the disbelievers. They rejected the truth and followed falsehood.
- And when they saw them, they said: ‘Verily! These have indeed gone astray!
Their greatest delusion was that the Momineen are losers, whereas they are the ultimate winners.
- But they (disbelievers, sinners) had not been sent as watchers over them (the believers).
The disbelievers were not sent to the world to check other’s deeds. They were to take their own account and obey Allah (swt).
- But this Day (the Day of Resurrection) those who believe will laugh at the disbelievers.
Allah (swt) will provide the Momineen an eternal opportunity to laugh and be pleased with their efforts. They suffered at the hands of the disbelievers. On the Day of Judgement, it will be the believer’s turn to laugh at the disbeliever’s state of destruction.
- On (high) thrones, looking (at all things).
Imam Al-Bayhaqi states that the Abrar (the virtuous believers) will be in a complete state of comfort and relaxation. They will be elevated to help them see gardens, streams, Hoors and servants. There will be so much to behold. Allah (swt) will grant special privileges to the Muqariboon and let them enjoy in immense and everlasting pleasure.
- Are not the disbelievers paid (fully) for what they used to do?
This is the revenge Allah (swt) will take from the heedless disbelievers on behalf of their infliction of pain and torture to the believers. Is this not the best recompense for the Kuffar for their insults and wickedness against the Momineen?
Adapted from “Tadabbur wa Amal”.
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