7: 85 [al-Araf, Mecca 39]

[[Ruby’s note – Asad’s rendering appeal to me most: the environment or earth’s natural order is meant here and the thrust of the injunction is not to disturb the intricately balanced natural order of the earth by corrupting it. Society or other aspect of human affair cannot be meant here because in history there have always been discrepancies and failures. Hardly ever a balaned order and peace could be maintained in a society or in the world. Only the earth’s eco system and environment has been in its virgin state until the modern industrial age.]]

Asad ............Give, therefore, full measure and weight [in all your dealings], and do not deprive people of what is rightfully theirs [note 68]; and do not spread corruption on earth after it has been so well ordered: this is for your own good..............

Yusuf Ali To the Madyan people We sent Shu`aib one of their own brethren: he said: "O my people! worship Allah; Ye have no other god but Him. Now hath come unto you a clear (sign) from your Lord! Give just measure and weight nor withhold from the people the things that are their due; and do no mischief on the earth after it has been set in order: that will be best for you if ye have faith.

Pickthall And unto Midian (We sent) their brother, Shueyb. He said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other God save Him. Lo! a clear proof hath come unto you from your Lord; so give full measure and full weight and wrong not mankind in their goods, and work not confusion in the earth after the fair ordering thereof. That will be better for you, if ye are believers.

Transliteration Wa ila_ madyana akha_hum syu'aiba_(n), qa_la ya_ qaumi'budulla_ha ma_ lakum min ila_hin gairuh(u_), qad ja_'atkum bayyinatum mir rabbikum fa auful kaila wal miza_na wa la_ tabkhasun na_sa asyya_'ahum wa la_ tufsidu_ fil ardi ba'da isla_hiha_, za_likum khairul lakum in kuntum mu'minin(a).

Yuksel’s version

7:85 To Midian, their brother Shuayb, he said, "My people, serve God, you have no god besides Him. Proof has come to you from your Lord, so give full weight and measure, and do not hold back from the people what belongs to them, and do not make mischief on the earth after it has been reformed. That is better for you if you acknowledge."

[[ Asad’s note 68 – Lit., “do not diminish to people their things” – an expression which applies to physical possessions as well as to moral and social rights. Regarding my interpolation of “in all your dealings”. see surah 6, note 150.]]

[[ Ruby’s note – This is a comprehensive statement: the right or possession of others should not be deprived or taken away. ]]