Surah Al-Mutaffifin, also called Surah Wayl lil-Mutaffifin or Surah At-Tatfeef, is one of the chapters regarding which scholars have differed on whether it was revealed in Makkah or Madinah, or whether part of it is Makki and part of it is Madani.
The author of Al-Kashshaf states that it is Makki and that it was the last surah revealed in Makkah.
Imam Ibn Kathir asserts that it is Madani, without mentioning any dispute on the matter.
Imam Al-Qurtubi notes that Surah Al-Mutaffifin is Makki according to Ibn Mas'ud and Ad-Dhahhak, and Madani according to Al-Hassan and Ikrimah. The surah consists of 36 verses.
Mujaahid states that it was the first surah revealed in Madinah.
Ibn Abbaas and Qataadah maintain that it is Madani, except for the last eight verses from Allah’s statement:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُوا
(Indeed, those who committed crimes…)
to the end of the surah, which are Makki.
Al-Kalbi and Jabir ibn Zayd say that it was revealed between Makkah and Madinah.
Al-Imam Al-Aalusi gathers all these opinions in his Tafseer without preferring one over the other.
It appears to us that Surah Al-Mutaffifin is Makki, but we lean toward the view that it was among the last revelations in Makkah. Al-Imam Jalaaluddin As-Suyuti included it in his book Al-Itqaan as the last Makkan surah revealed to the Prophet Peace Upon him before the Hijrah.
Several aspects support the view that this surah is Makki, including its clear discussion about the wicked (fujjar) and the righteous (abrar), the Day of Judgment and the fate of deniers, the accusations of the polytheists against the Qur'an, the comparison between the fate of believers and disbelievers, and the stance of Quraysh’s disbelievers toward poor Muslims. These themes are characteristic of Makkan Qur'an, and while they are present in Madani revelations, they are treated in less detail than in Makkan ones.
This noble surah begins with a threat against those who defraud in weight and measure, reminding them of the Day of Resurrection, judgment, and recompense, hoping they would repent to their Creator and seek His forgiveness.
It then draws a detailed comparison between the evil fate of the wicked (fujjar) and the blessed outcome of the righteous (abrar).
The surah concludes by mentioning how the polytheists mocked and harmed the poor believers, yet it gives glad tidings to the believers that on the Day of Judgment, they will laugh at the disbelievers just as the disbelievers laughed at them in the worldly life.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
وَيْلٌ لِلْمُطَفِّفِينَ
Discussion on Four Key Issues:
1. Historical Background of Revelation
Al-Imam An-Nasaa’i reported from Ibn Abbaas that when the Prophet Peace Upon him arrived in Madinah, the people there had the worst measurement practices. So Allah revealed:
وَيْلٌ لِلْمُطَفِّفِينَ
(Woe to those who give less than due…)
After this, they improved their weighing and measuring.
Al-Farra’ states that the people of Madinah became among the most precise in their measurements until his time.
Ibn Abbaas also narrated that this was the first surah revealed upon the Prophet Peace Upon him after arriving in Madinah. The people of Madinah had a habit of taking full measures when buying but giving less when selling. When this surah was revealed, they stopped this practice and became the most just in their trade.
Some scholars say that the surah was revealed about a man called Abu Juhaynah (whose real name was Amr). He had two different measuring containers—he would take with the larger one and give with the smaller one. This was reported by Abu Hurayrah.
2. Meaning of ‘Wayl’ (ويل)
The word وَيْلٌ means severe punishment in the Hereafter.
Ibn Abbaas said it refers to a valley in Hell where the pus and filth of the people of Hell flow, as mentioned in the verse:
وَيْلٌ لِلْمُطَفِّفِينَ
(Woe to those who give less than due…)
Ibn Umar explained that a Mutaffif (defrauder) is a person who knowingly uses an unjust measuring scale, and thus he bears the sin for it.
Some scholars extended the meaning of Tatfeef (fraudulence) beyond weighing and measuring to include prayer, ablution, and other acts of worship.
Imam Maalik mentioned in Al-Muwatta’ that everything has its due measure, and anyone who does not give the full due is a Mutaffif.
Saalim ibn Abi Aj-Ja'd said:
“Prayer is measured just like weight and measure. Whoever fulfills it properly will be rewarded, and whoever defrauds in it will face what Allah has warned in:
وَيْلٌ لِلْمُطَفِّفِينَ
(Woe to those who give less than due…)”
3. Linguistic Meaning of ‘Tatfeef’ (التطفيف)
Linguists state that Tatfeef comes from Tafif (طفيف), meaning something small or slight.
A Mutaffif is someone who unjustly reduces a person’s due, whether in weight, measure, or any other right.
Al-Imam Az-Zajjaj explains that the term Mutaffif is used because a fraudster usually steals only a small portion—a light, almost unnoticeable amount.
The word originates from Tuff (طفّ), which refers to the edge or boundary of something.
Tuffaf Al-Makkuk (طفاف المكوك) means what slightly overflows from the measuring cup.
The Hadith states:
كلكم بنو آدم طف الصاع لم تملؤوه
(All of you, O children of Adam, are like a measuring cup that is not fully filled.)
This means that people are close in nature, with no superiority except through piety.
The term Tuffaf (طفاف) also refers to the brim of a full container, and a vessel is called Tuffaf when it is filled to the top.
4. Practical Application of Fair Trade
A Mutaffif is someone who defrauds in weighing and measuring.
Ibn Al-Qaasim reported that Imam Maalik read:
وَيْلٌ لِلْمُطَفِّفِينَ
and said:
“Do not defraud and do not cheat, but rather pour [the measure] fully. When it reaches its due amount, release your hand and do not hold back.”
AbdulMalik ibn Al-Majshun reported that the Prophet Peace Upon him forbade wiping off the excess from a full measure, saying:
"Blessings remain in its extra portion."
Some narrations mention that Pharaoh’s system of measurement was corrupt, as his scales were tampered with iron to ensure fraud in trade.
This detailed discussion highlights the significance of fair dealings, honesty in trade, and avoiding deception—all essential principles emphasized in Surah Al-Mutaffifin.