Woe to the curtailers,
الَّذِينَ إِذَا اكْتَالُوا عَلَى النَّاسِ يَسْتَوْفُونَ
who, when they measure something to receive from people, take it in full,
وَإِذَا كَالُوهُمْ أَوْ وَزَنُوهُمْ يُخْسِرُونَ
and when they measure or weigh something to give it to them, give less than due.
(Quran 83:1-3)
Begin Quote.
The word, Mutaffifin, 'those who give short measure or weight,' is derived from Tatfif, 'to give short measure or short weight'. The Qur'anic expression 'Woe to the curtailers' is indicative of the injunction that this practice is prohibited.
الَّذِينَ إِذَا اكْتَالُوا عَلَى النَّاسِ يَسْتَوْفُونَ
who, when they measure something to receive from people, take it in full,
وَإِذَا كَالُوهُمْ أَوْ وَزَنُوهُمْ يُخْسِرُونَ
and when they measure or weigh something to give it to them, give less than due.
(Quran 83:1-3)
Begin Quote.
The word, Mutaffifin, 'those who give short measure or weight,' is derived from Tatfif, 'to give short measure or short weight'. The Qur'anic expression 'Woe to the curtailers' is indicative of the injunction that this practice is prohibited.
The Qur'an and Sunnah have prohibited Tatfif which primarily signifies 'giving short measure and weight', because generally all transactions are carried out by things that can be measured or weighed. But the basic purpose of weighing or measuring is none else but to give a person what he deserves. It, therefore, indicates that the rule is not restricted to weights and measures only, but it includes all other means through which the rights of someone are evaluated, assessed or appraised. It is obligatory that all rights are given to the deserving persons in full, whether they are assessed by weight, measure, number or any other means. In terms of this concept of Tatfif, it is prohibited to give to any person less than his due.
It is recorded in Muwatta' of Imam Malik that Sayyidina 'Umar Ibn-ul-Khattab saw a person curtailing [cutting short] his bowing and prostration postures in prayers, he said to him: 'You have committed Tatfif (curtailed the right) of Allah.'
Having cited this statement of Sayyidina 'Umar Ibn-ul-Khattab, Imam Malik formulates the following postulate: 'Everything has a full due and a short measure.'
This postulate can apply even to prayers, ablution, cleanliness and all the rights of Allah and the ways of worship. If someone is deficient in fulfilling these rights of Allah, he is guilty of Tatfif. Similarly if one cuts short human rights [by failing to perform duties imposed upon him or keeping to the terms of agreement duly], he is covered by the rule laid down by the verse regarding Tatfif. For example, if an employee has entered into a contract with the employer that he shall work for specified time, it is imperative for him to work for the stipulated hours. If he curtails the hours, he is guilty of Tatfif. Generally, people - even scholars - are lax in this matter. They do not regard curtailment of their obligations relating to service or labour as sin. May Allah protect us from it!
Sayyidina 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas has narrated that the Holy Prophet (SAW) has said: There are five sins, for which there are five punishments:
Tabarani narrates from Ibn 'Abbas that the Holy Prophet (SAW) said: "When it becomes rampant in a community to steal from the spoils of war, Allah will cast terror of enemies into their hearts; when usury becomes a common practice in a community, death becomes a frequent occurrence in that society; a community that gives short measure and weight, Allah cuts off their sustenance; those who decide against the truth, murder becomes common among them; and those who betray their agreement, Allah causes their enemies to prevail upon them." [Malik has also transmitted it, but as a saying of Ibn 'Abbas. See Mazhari].
End quote.
Source: Maarif ul Quran, Vol. 8.
It is recorded in Muwatta' of Imam Malik that Sayyidina 'Umar Ibn-ul-Khattab saw a person curtailing [cutting short] his bowing and prostration postures in prayers, he said to him: 'You have committed Tatfif (curtailed the right) of Allah.'
Having cited this statement of Sayyidina 'Umar Ibn-ul-Khattab, Imam Malik formulates the following postulate: 'Everything has a full due and a short measure.'
This postulate can apply even to prayers, ablution, cleanliness and all the rights of Allah and the ways of worship. If someone is deficient in fulfilling these rights of Allah, he is guilty of Tatfif. Similarly if one cuts short human rights [by failing to perform duties imposed upon him or keeping to the terms of agreement duly], he is covered by the rule laid down by the verse regarding Tatfif. For example, if an employee has entered into a contract with the employer that he shall work for specified time, it is imperative for him to work for the stipulated hours. If he curtails the hours, he is guilty of Tatfif. Generally, people - even scholars - are lax in this matter. They do not regard curtailment of their obligations relating to service or labour as sin. May Allah protect us from it!
Sayyidina 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas has narrated that the Holy Prophet (SAW) has said: There are five sins, for which there are five punishments:
- He who breaks his covenant, Allah will cause his enemy to subdue him.
- The nation that abandons the sacred laws of Allah, and decides cases according to other laws, poverty will prevail commonly among them.
- The nation among whom promiscuity and zina (fornication or adultery) becomes rampant, Allah will punish them with epidemics and endemic diseases.
- Those who curtail measures and weights, Allah will cause famine to break out amongst them.
- Those who fail to pay their Zakah, Allah will withhold rain from them.
Tabarani narrates from Ibn 'Abbas that the Holy Prophet (SAW) said: "When it becomes rampant in a community to steal from the spoils of war, Allah will cast terror of enemies into their hearts; when usury becomes a common practice in a community, death becomes a frequent occurrence in that society; a community that gives short measure and weight, Allah cuts off their sustenance; those who decide against the truth, murder becomes common among them; and those who betray their agreement, Allah causes their enemies to prevail upon them." [Malik has also transmitted it, but as a saying of Ibn 'Abbas. See Mazhari].
End quote.
Source: Maarif ul Quran, Vol. 8.
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