Sūrah 83
Sūrah al-Muṭaffifīn
Introduction to this pair
Both these sūrahs form a pair with regard to their topics. In the first sūrah, the basis of argument is the awareness of good and evil found in human nature, and in the second, the manifest signs in the world around human beings form this basis.
Both sūrahs are directed at the leadership of the Quraysh, and it is evident from their topics that like the previous sūrahs they were also revealed in Makkah in the phase of open warning (indhār-i ‘ām) of Prophet Muḥammad’s (sws) preaching mission.
The theme of both sūrahs is to warn the Quraysh of any misconception they may have about the Day of Judgement. Come what may, they are going to be raised up on that day to appear before their Lord and shall definitely meet different fates according to their deeds.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful.
Devastation for the cheaters; these who exact full measure when they take from others, and when they measure or weigh for them give less than what is due. Do they not believe that they will surely be raised up one day for the presence on a great day? The day when people will stand before the Lord of the worlds.
[They say that everyone will meet the same fate on that day.] By no means! The record of the disobedient shall certainly be in Sijjīn. And what do you understand what Sijjīn is? A written register. Devastation shall on that day be upon those who deny. These who are denying the Day of Reward and Punishment. And in reality only he denies it who exceeds the limits, usurps rights. When Our revelations are recited to him, he says: “These are tales of the ancients.” By no means! In fact, the rust of their deeds has settled on their hearts. [They think that if ever the Day of Judgement comes, then too they alone will be God’s favoured ones.] By no means! On that day, they shall certainly be held away from their Lord. Then they shall surely enter Hell. Then it shall be said to them: “This is what you have been denying.”
[No, good and evil can never be equal.] By no means! The record of the obedient shall surely be in ‘Illiyyīn. And what do you understand what ‘Illiyyīn is? A written register, in the custody of the exalted angels. Indeed, these obedient shall be surrounded [there] with favours, reclining on thrones, gazing around. You will see the glow of this bliss on their faces. Their thirst will be quenched with pure wine, sealed; the seal will be of musk. This is the end for which let those who wish to strive, strive with fervour – and it will be tempered with Tasnīm, a special spring on whose banks these favoured ones of God will sit and drink.
[Those were the days also when] these wrongdoers used to laugh at the believers. They used to make gestures with their eyes when they passed them by. When they returned to their people, they would return joyously. And when they saw them, they would say: “These indeed are the strayed ones.” They claim to be reformers, whereas they were not sent to be their guardians. But today the believers are laughing at these disbelievers, reclining on thrones observing their fate – Why! Have not these disbelievers been duly rewarded for what they did?