83al-MuṭaffifīnThose Who Sell Shortسُورَةُ المطففين

Woe to those who [in their market transactions] mis-measure [and miscalculate]:

Those who demand from other people a full measure when they are recipients,

But when they do the measuring they scant [and skimp] people their due.

Are these [types] not aware that they will be revived

For [accountability] on a strenuous Day —

A Day when people will rise before the Sustainer of all the worlds?

No more [getting away with it]! Of a certainty the [malicious] record of the infuriating ones is tightly guarded.

And what do you know about that which is tightly guarded?

[It is] a logbook and written account [of all that they did].

Woe on that Day to the conflictarians —

Those who are at odds with the Day of Dīn.

And no one but an aggressive delinquent would be at odds with it;

[And so], whenever Our demonstrations of power and authority are rehearsed to such a one, he says, “[But these are] myths [and mythology] of ancinet generations.”

No, no. Rather their hearts have fallen into decay due to their [world-centered] acquisitions.

No, and no [again]. Surely, on that Day they shall have no access to their Sustainer;

And then, indeed, they shall suffer the pit-fire,

And will hear it said, “This [punishment] is what you claimed [back in the world] to be a lie.”

No [to all false claims]. The record of the virtuous is on an elevated par.

And do you know what an elevated par is?

[It is] a logbook and written account [of all that they did],

Attested to by [cherubic] confidants.

Indeed, [in the afterlife] the people of virtue shall be in bliss,

[Resting] on davenports, serenely gazing about:

You will recognize the glow of elegance in their faces.

They will be served choice nectar,

Its quality prime — and for that shall all contestants compete —

And its [the drink’s] composition producing wholesome and heightened sensory perceptions and feelings (tasnīm),

[From] a fountain out of which [Allah’s] intimates imbibe.

Indeed, criminals [in the world] were always poking fun at committed muslims,

And whenever they would pass by them [the committed muslims] they would gesture with disparaging mockery;

And whenever they [the criminals] would return to their crowd, they would do so jubilantly;

And whenever they [the criminals] saw them [the committed muslims], they would say, “Of course these are wayward people.”

Withal, they [the criminals] were not tasked with keeping tabs on them [the committed muslims].

But, today [on the Day of Dīn], it is the committed muslims who are belittling the kāfirs,

[Sitting] on davenports and watching:

Are the kāfirs requited [handsomely] for what they were accustomed to doing?