Surah Al-Mutaffifin explained for children, in pictures
We never cheat on the scales, and we race to do good
Meaning from Tafsir Al-Muyassar, simplified for children. Reviewed by Sherif Alkady, 21 October 2026.
The lessons
1 · Verses 1–3Woe to those who cheat
Woe to those who give short measure: when they buy from people they take full measure, but when they sell to them they give less.
2 · Verses 4–6For a tremendous Day
Do they not think they will be raised for a tremendous Day, the Day all people will stand before the Lord of the worlds, who will account for every small and big thing?
3 · Verses 7–9Sijjin
Truly, the record of the wicked is in Sijjin, a narrow prison and a painful punishment. And what will make you know what Sijjin is? A register already written, nothing added and nothing taken away.
4 · Verses 10–13Tales of the ancients
Woe that Day to the deniers who deny the Day of Recompense. None denies it except every sinful transgressor; when Our verses are recited to him, he says: 'Tales of the ancients.'
5 · Verses 14–17A stain over their hearts
No! Rather, the sins they used to commit have covered their hearts. No! That Day they will be screened off from seeing their Lord, then they will burn in Hellfire, and it will be said: 'This is what you used to deny.'
6 · Verses 18–21Illiyyun
Truly, the record of the righteous is in the high places of Paradise. And what will make you know what Illiyyun is? A register already written, witnessed by those brought near among the angels.
7 · Verses 22–24The radiance of bliss
The righteous will be in bliss, on raised couches, looking at their Lord and at the good He prepared for them. You will recognise in their faces the radiance of bliss.
8 · Verses 25–28Let the competitors compete
They will be given a pure sealed drink whose last trace is the scent of musk, so for this let the competitors compete. It is mixed from a spring in Paradise called Tasnim, from which those brought near drink.
9 · Verses 29–33They used to laugh
The criminals used to laugh at the believers, wink at each other when they passed them, go home to their families joking about them, and when they saw the companions of Muhammad, peace be upon him, they said, 'These people are lost,' though they were not sent as guardians over them.
10 · Verses 34–36Today the believers
So on that Day the believers will laugh at the disbelievers, as they were mocked in this world, on raised couches looking at the honour Allah gave them. Have the disbelievers been repaid for what they used to do?
Surah Al-Mutaffifin at a glance
Surah Al-Mutaffifin is a Makki surah with 36 verses; it is number 83 in the mushaf, in juz 30 (Juz Amma), and starts on page 587.
- Order in the mushaf
- 83
- Number of verses
- 36 verses
- Makki or Madani
- Makki (revealed in Makkah)
- Juz
- 30 (Juz Amma)
- Starts on page
- 587
- What its name means
- Al-Mutaffifin are those who cheat in measure and weight when buying and selling: the surah warns them.
Classification, verse count and page numbers follow the Madinah Mushaf (Hafs from Asim, Kufi count).
Word meanings in Surah Al-Mutaffifin for kids
Meanings from Tafsir Al-Muyassar, in simple words.
- وَيْلٌۭ
- woe (Verse 1)
- لِّلْمُطَفِّفِينَ
- those who cheat in measuring and weighing (Verse 1)
- ٱكْتَالُوا۟
- buy by measure (Verse 2)
- يَسْتَوْفُونَ
- take full measure (Verse 2)
- يُخْسِرُونَ
- give less (Verse 3)
- ٱلْفُجَّارِ
- the wicked (Verse 7)
- سِجِّينٍۢ
- a place of confinement (Verse 7)
- مَّرْقُومٌۭ
- inscribed (Verse 9)
- مُعْتَدٍ
- transgressor (Verse 12)
- أَثِيمٍ
- sinful (Verse 12)
- أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
- tales of the ancients (Verse 13)
- رَانَ
- covered (Verse 14)
- لَّمَحْجُوبُونَ
- screened off from their Lord (Verse 15)
- ٱلْأَبْرَارِ
- the righteous (Verse 18)
- عِلِّيِّينَ
- the high ranks (Verse 18)
- يَشْهَدُهُ
- witness it (Verse 21)
- ٱلْمُقَرَّبُونَ
- those brought near (Verse 21)
- ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ
- couches (Verse 23)
- نَضْرَةَ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
- the glow of bliss (Verse 24)
- فَلْيَتَنَافَسِ ٱلْمُتَنَٰفِسُونَ
- let those who compete, compete (Verse 26)
- تَسْنِيمٍ
- Tasnim, a spring in Paradise (Verse 27)
- أَجْرَمُوا۟
- did wrong (Verse 29)
- يَتَغَامَزُونَ
- wink at one another (Verse 30)
- ٱنقَلَبُوٓا۟
- returned (Verse 31)
- فَكِهِينَ
- laughing at the believers (Verse 31)
- لَضَآلُّونَ
- lost (Verse 32)
- حَٰفِظِينَ
- watchers (Verse 33)
- ثُوِّبَ
- repaid (Verse 36)
Check your understanding of Surah Al-Mutaffifin: questions for kids
Read the question, think, then tap the answer you choose.
1. Who are «the cheaters»?
2. What do the cheaters do when they buy?
3. And what do they do when they sell?
4. Before whom will people stand on the Day of Resurrection?
5. What covered the hearts of the deniers?
6. What should those who compete race for?
7. What did the wrongdoers do to the believers in this world?
Questions parents ask
What is a simple explanation of Surah Al-Mutaffifin for children?
It begins by warning those who give short measure: when they buy they take full measure, and when they sell they give less. Then it reminds them of the Day all people stand before the Lord of the worlds, and describes the record of the wicked in Sijjin, the record of the righteous in Illiyyun, and the bliss of the righteous in Paradise.
Who are «those who give short measure»?
Those who cheat on measures and scales: when they buy from people they take full measure, but when they sell to them they give less.
What is the lesson of Surah Al-Mutaffifin?
That we never cheat on the scales, and that we race to do good. Paradise holds bliss for the righteous, and for that let the competitors compete.
Why is Surah Al-Mutaffifin called by this name?
Al-Mutaffifin are those who cheat in measure and weight when buying and selling: the surah warns them.
What are the main facts about Surah Al-Mutaffifin?
Surah Al-Mutaffifin is a Makki surah with 36 verses; it is number 83 in the mushaf, in juz 30 (Juz Amma), and starts on page 587. Its big idea: We never cheat on the scales, and we race to do good.
Surahs close to Surah Al-Mutaffifin
Surahs with a close idea, to carry the journey on.
