Surat At-Takāthur (The Rivalry in world increase)

• Al-Quran

  The Institute of Islamic Knowledge, USA

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  This Surah, according to all commentators, is Makki. Its contents and style indicate that it is one of the early Surahs revealed at Makkah. Major Issue, Divine Law and Guidance: • The cause of man's destruction is mutual rivalry for worldly gains, and real success is in working for the life Hereafter. In this Surah the people are warned about the evil consequences of selfish worldly gains when they spend their lives in acquiring more and more of worldly wealth, material benefits and pleasures, position and power. Rivalry with one another, bragging and boasting about their acquisitions is not going to end until they get to their graves. This pursuit has occupied the people so much that they are left with no time or opportunity for pursuing the spiritual and higher things in life. After warning the people of its evil, they are told: "These blessings which you are amassing and enjoying thoughtlessly, are not mere blessings but are also a means of your trial. For each one of these blessings and comforts, you will surely be called to account on the Day of Judgement. You will be asked as to how you used your faculties, your eyes, your hands, your time, your wealth, your health, your youth and opportunities provided to you for doing good and refraining from evil." Mankind is told: "As soon as you close your eyes (die), you will find out the reality of this world and what you are going to face in the life hereafter. I wish that you believe in the knowledge that has been provided to you in this Qur'an, because if you do not, you will find out the reality when you will see the Hell with your own eyes but at that time it will be too late to believe. It will be the time of your accountability and Judgement for awarding you Paradise or dumping you into Hell."

• A Thematic Commentary by

  Shaykh al-Ghazali

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  The surah is addressed to the idol-worshipers and, con- ceivably, everyone infatuated by worldly goods, who pays no attention to the life hereafter. These people are driven by greed, live for the moment, and devote all their energies and resources to mate- rial comfort and enjoyment. Their whole life is a struggle for the accumulation of wealth, until they are laid to rest in their graves. However, they seem to overlook the fact that the grave is but a temporary abode, a mere bridge to another life of accountability, judgment, and punishment or reward. Elsewhere in the Qur’an we read: The trumpet will be blown and, behold, they will rise up from their graves and hasten to their Lord. “Woe to us,” they will say. “Who has roused us from our resting-place? This is what the Merciful has promised, and the messengers have told us the truth.” (Ya SÏn: 51–52) They are in for a huge surprise: “You shall know. You shall before long come to know” (3–4). The unbelievers are told: “Indeed, if only you knew the truth with certainty! You will see the fire of hell” (5–6). Had they believed and heeded the call of God’s messengers, they would have spared themselves the torment of hell, but they chose to turn away from them, and are therefore told: “You will see it [hell] with your very eyes” (7). Furthermore, they would be questioned about their wealth: “Then, on that day, you shall be questioned about the affluence you enjoyed” (8). They would be told: “You have squandered your wealth during your life and enjoyed it” (al-A^q¥f: 20). People shall be questioned about the wealth and affluence they accumulated and enjoyed in this life, and about the reason why they did not show any gratitude for it. The enjoyment they had in this world would not last, and they would have to face up to God’s humiliating punishment. Elsewhere in the Qur’an, we read: “That is for the delight you took in falsehood on earth and the frivolity you enjoyed” (Gh¥fir: 75).

• Ayah

  1

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  أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ

• Ayah

  2

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  حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ الْمَقَابِرَ

• Ayah

  3

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  كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

• Ayah

  4

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  ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

• Ayah

  5

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  كَلَّا لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عِلْمَ الْيَقِينِ

• Ayah

  6

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  لَتَرَوُنَّ الْجَحِيمَ

• Ayah

  7

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  ثُمَّ لَتَرَوُنَّهَا عَيْنَ الْيَقِينِ

• Ayah

  8

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  ثُمَّ لَتُسْأَلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ النَّعِيمِ