۞ أَوْفُوا۟ ٱلْكَيْلَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْمُخْسِرِينَ 181
Translations
Give full measure and do not be of those who cause loss.
Transliteration
Awfu al-kayla wa la takunu min al-mukhsirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the fulfillment of measures and weights in full, prohibiting believers from being among those who cause loss or diminishment to others in transactions. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this instruction addresses a common practice among the people of Shu'ayb (Shoaib), who were notorious for defrauding in weights and measures. The ayah emphasizes justice in commerce as a fundamental Islamic principle, warning against the spiritual and material consequences of dishonesty.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the story of Prophet Shu'ayb and his people, who were punished for their systematic fraud in commercial dealings. The context shows Shu'ayb warning his nation against deception in business transactions, making this a thematic centerpiece of his message. This surah, revealed in Mecca, uses this historical example to instruct the early Muslim community on commercial ethics.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever deceives us is not from us' (Muslim 102). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet emphasized: 'The best of you are those best in paying back their debts,' reinforcing the principle of honest and complete fulfillment in transactions.
Themes
Key Lesson
Honesty in all transactions—whether in commerce, labor, or any exchange—is not merely a practical necessity but a spiritual obligation that reflects one's faith and character. In modern contexts, this applies to fair pricing, accurate measurement, quality of goods, and transparent business practices as essential components of Islamic morality.