Imam Bukhari have cited this view of the companion Ubayy bin Ka'ab: "We took the Holy Prophet PBUH saying: “If the son of Adam had two valleys full of wealth, he would long for a third valley; the son of Adam's belly cannot be filled but by earth, to be from the Quran until Alhakum at takathur was sent down.”
Majority of scholars believe that this surah At-takathur is a Makki surah. The theme of this Surah is the consequences of becoming heedless and the pursuit to acquire more and more worldly pleasures forgetting the aakhirah and hellfire.
أَلْهَىٰكُمُ ٱلتَّكَاثُرُ ١
1 Competition for more ˹gains˺ diverts you ˹from Allah˺,
حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ ٱلْمَقَابِرَ ٢
2 until you end up in ˹your˺ graves.
كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ ٣
3 But no! You will soon come to know.
ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ ٤
4 Again, no! You will soon come to know.
كَلَّا لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عِلْمَ ٱلْيَقِينِ ٥
5 Indeed, if you were to know ˹your fate˺ with certainty.
لَتَرَوُنَّ ٱلْجَحِيمَ ٦
6 ˹But˺ you will surely see the Hellfire.
ثُمَّ لَتَرَوُنَّهَا عَيْنَ ٱلْيَقِينِ ٧
7 Again, you will surely see it with the eye of certainty.
ثُمَّ لَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ ٨
8 Then, on that Day, you will definitely be questioned about ˹your worldly˺ pleasures.
The first verse states the main problem that the surah addresses: the excessive competition for worldly gains, such as wealth, power, fame, children, etc. This competition is so intense that it consumes people’s time, energy, and attention, and makes them neglect their obligations to Allah and the Hereafter. The word الْهَاكُمُ (diverts you) implies that this competition is a distraction and a deception, and that people are heedless of the more important matters that they should be concerned with.
The second verse states the inevitable end of this competition: death. The word زُرْتُمُ (visit) implies that people are so attached to this world that they do not consider death as their final destination, but rather as a temporary visit. However, death is the reality that will put an end to all worldly pursuits and pleasures and will make people face the consequences of their actions.
The third and fourth verses state the certainty of the knowledge that people will acquire after death. The repetition of the phrase كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ (But nay, ye soon shall know) emphasizes the contrast between the ignorance and delusion of people in this world, and the clarity and truth that they will witness in the Hereafter. The word كَلَّا (But nay) is a strong negation that rejects the false assumptions and claims of people who are deceived by this world.
The fifth verse states the condition that would have prevented people from falling into this trap of worldly competition: the knowledge of certainty. The word عِلْمَ الْيَقِينِ (certainty of mind) means the knowledge that is based on clear evidence and rational proof, and that leaves no doubt or confusion. If people had this kind of knowledge, they would have realized the worthlessness of this world and the greatness of the Hereafter, and they would have acted accordingly.
The sixth and seventh verses state the consequence of lacking this knowledge of certainty: the Hell-Fire. The word لَتَرَوُنَّ (ye shall certainly see) is a threat and a warning that people will not only know but also see and experience the punishment of their deeds. The word الْجَحِيمَ (Hell-Fire) is one of the names of Hell, which means the blazing fire that consumes and destroys everything. The phrase عَيْنَ الْيَقِينِ (certainty of sight) means the knowledge that is based on direct observation and personal experience, and that leaves no room for denial or escape. This is the highest level of knowledge and certainty, and it is the most painful and terrifying for the disbelievers and the sinners.
The eighth and final verse states the question that people will be asked on the Day of Judgment: about the joy that they indulged in. The word النَّعِيمِ (the joy) means the blessings and favors that Allah has bestowed upon people in this world, such as health, wealth, family, etc. However, instead of being grateful and using these blessings in a lawful and beneficial way, people abused and wasted them in unlawful and harmful ways, and they preferred them over the eternal blessings of the Hereafter. Therefore, they will be held accountable and questioned about how they used these blessings, and they will have no answer or excuse.
The surah teaches us several important lessons, such as:
-The world is a temporary and deceiving place, and we should not be attached to it or compete for it.
-Death is a reality that we should always remember and prepare for, and it will end all worldly pursuits and pleasures.
-The Hereafter is the ultimate destination and the true success, and we should strive for it and seek Allah’s pleasure and mercy.
-We should be grateful for the blessings that Allah has given us and use them in a way that benefits us in both worlds.
-We should be aware of the consequences of our actions, and repent and reform before it is too late.
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