Surah Ut-Takasur Chapter:102 Arabic

Surah Ut-Takasur Chapter:102 Translation

1. The concern of getting the world above each other has made you people oblivious (to God and the Hereafter).
2. In this concern, you reach the graves.
3. Not at all (that is, you will never succeed like this) soon you will know this.
4. Then (understand that) soon you will know this.
5. Not at all (i.e. abundance of wealth and wealth can never be the standard of success) If you were certainly aware of its end (then you would never have done so).
6. You must see hell.
7. Then (understand that) of course, you will surely see hell.
8. Then you will definitely be asked for an answer about these blessings.

Surah Ut-Takasur Explanation

Surah Ut-Takasur Chapter:102 Verse 1 Explanation

The phrase alhakum at-takathur carries a profound meaning that goes beyond a simple explanation. In Arabic, this term describes any activity that engrosses a person to the point where they become unaware of more important aspects of life. When we say alhakum, it indicates that someone has become so absorbed in a specific pursuit that they have lost sight of what truly matters. This obsession leads to a state of being completely consumed by that pursuit, causing them to ignore everything else around them.

Therefore, alhakum at-takathur suggests that the unending quest for more has taken over your life to the extent that you neglect all higher priorities. The phrase does not clarify what type of abundance is referred to in takathur, what kind of heedlessness is implied in alhakum, or who the audience is meant to be. Takathur goes beyond a limited definition, encompassing all types of gains, benefits, pleasures, and comforts, along with an insatiable desire for more power and authority. It highlights the competition among individuals striving for these desires and the tendency to boast about their wealth.

Likewise, alhakum is not limited to a specific group; it speaks to people across all times, both as individuals and as a collective. This implies that the urge to accumulate worldly wealth, compete for it, and flaunt one’s possessions affects both individuals and society as a whole. Moreover, since alhakum at-takathur does not specify which individuals are ensnared by this greed or what they are neglecting, its meaning is quite expansive. It suggests that the fixation on accumulating more has caused people to ignore far more important issues.

They have become unaware of God, the Hereafter, moral limits and responsibilities, the rights of others, and their own obligations to uphold those rights. Their focus is solely on enhancing their standard of living, showing little regard for the deterioration of humanity. Their unyielding quest for wealth compels them to pursue more, regardless of the means employed to achieve it.

Their craving for comfort and physical pleasure has obscured their awareness of the repercussions of this way of life. In their quest to gather power, resources, and weapons, they overlook the fact that this journey ultimately results in tyranny and the downfall of humanity. Essentially, takathur appears in different forms, ensnaring both individuals and societies to such an extent that they become blind to anything beyond material wealth and fleeting pleasures.

Surah Ut-Takasur Chapter:102 Verse 2 Explanation

In essence, you spend your whole life caught up in the same chaos and chase, until the moment comes when you must leave this world.

Surah Ut-Takasur Chapter:102 Verse 3 Explanation

You might think that gathering material possessions and outshining others is the true measure of progress and success, but in reality, it’s quite the opposite. Eventually, you will realize the harsh consequences of this way of thinking, understanding that it was a major mistake that consumed your life. This realization may come in the Hereafter.

For the Being whose vision spans all time, whether it’s a few thousand years or several hundred thousand, it’s just a fleeting moment in the vastness of eternity. Moreover, “soon” can also mean death, which is always close to anyone. Shortly after death, one will find out whether the pursuits that filled their life were paths to fortune and success or roads to misfortune and failure.

Surah Ut-Takasur Chapter:102 Verse 8 Explanation

The term “then” here does not suggest that accountability will only happen after the wrongdoers have been cast into Hell. The key point is that various Ahadith from the Prophet (peace be upon him) indicate that both believers and disbelievers will be held accountable for the blessings granted by Allah. Those who lived as grateful servants of Allah and did not show ingratitude will succeed during this accountability, while those who were ungrateful for Allah’s blessings whether through words, actions, or both will face failure.

Jabir bin Abdullah narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) visited them, and they offered him fresh dates and cool water. He noted that these are among the blessings for which you will be questioned. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked, “Why didn’t you choose the dates yourself?” Ibn at-Taihan replied, “I thought you would prefer to choose and eat the dates you liked.” They enjoyed the dates and drank refreshing water.

Finally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked, “By Him in Whose hand is my life: this is one of the blessings for which you will be questioned on the Day of Resurrection the cool shade, the fresh dates, and the cool water.” This tradition has been narrated in various forms by Muslim, Ibn Majah, Abu Daud, Tirmidhi, Nasai, Ibn Jarir, Abu Yala, and others, based on the account of Abu Hurairah. In some narrations, the name of the Ansari companion is mentioned, while in others, he is simply referred to as a member of the Ansar.

Ibn Abi Hatim has provided several details about this incident from Umar, and Imam Ahmad has reported it from Abu Asib, the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) freed slave. Additionally, Ibn Hibban and Ibn Marduyah have shared a tradition from Abdullah bin Abbas, indicating that a similar event took place in the home of Abu Ayyub Ansari. These Ahadith make it clear that both disbelievers and righteous believers will face questioning. The blessings that Allah has bestowed upon humanity are truly boundless and countless. Many of these blessings may go unnoticed by people.

The Quran mentions: If you try to count the blessings of Allah, you will find it impossible to do so. (Surah Ibrahim, Ayat 34). Some of these blessings come directly from Allah, while others are the result of our own efforts and abilities. For the blessings that stem from our hard work and talent, we must consider how we acquired them and how we used them. As for the blessings that Allah has directly granted, we will need to account for how we made use of them.

Ultimately, for all the blessings we receive, we should reflect on whether we recognized them as gifts from Allah and whether we sincerely expressed our gratitude to Him, both in our hearts and through our actions, or if we mistakenly thought they came to us by chance, as gifts from various deities, or believed that while they were indeed blessings from One God, other beings also contributed to their giving, leading us to worship and thank them instead.

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