The Foundational Commercial Ethics Verse (83:1-3)
“Waylun li-al-mutaffifin — alladhina idha ktalu ‘ala al-nasi yastawfun — wa-idha kalu-hum aw wazanu-hum yukhsirun.”
The structure of the indictment: when they receive, they take full measure; when they give, they cause shortfall. This asymmetry — the consistent self-advantage — is the definition of tatfif (giving short measure). The verse targets commercial dishonesty with surgical precision: not general greed but the specific manipulation of weights and measures that shifts wealth through systematic, small unfairnesses.
Classical hadith reports that when this verse was recited on the Prophet’s arrival in Medina, the city’s markets had been notorious for tatfif — and the recitation reportedly reformed the market culture.
The Two Ledgers: Sijjin and ‘Illiyyin (83:7-18)
Sijjin: “Kalla inna kitab al-fujjar la-fi sijjin — wa-ma adraka ma sijjin — kitabun marqum.” — A written ledger of the wicked; sijjin is related to sijn (prison) — a locked-down record. The deeds of the corrupt are inscribed and sealed.
‘Illiyyin: “Kalla inna kitab al-abrar la-fi ‘illiyyin — wa-ma adraka ma ‘illiyyin — kitabun marqum — yashhadu-hu al-muqarrabun.” — The ledger of the righteous is in the elevated records (‘illiyyin from ‘ala — height/elevation), witnessed by those brought near (al-muqarrabun) — the angels of proximity.
The Vision of the Lord (83:23-26)
“‘Ala al-ara’ik yanzurun — ta’rifu fi wujuhihim nadrat al-na’im — yusqawna min rahiqin makhtum — khitamuhu miskun.”
The righteous in the Garden: nazara ila rabbihim — they see (yanzurun) from their couches. The vision of Allah is affirmed for the righteous in the Garden. The sealed wine (rahiq makhtum) whose seal is musk — earthly wine is forbidden; the Garden’s wine has no intoxication, only the mark of divine hospitality.
See also: Quran Sciences, Tafsir Overview, Signs Of Qiyamah, Barzakh, Akhlaq, Maqasid Al Shariah, Al Jahannam