At-Takaathur
سُورَةُ التَّكَاثُرِ
Competition
**In The Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful** Numerous commentators believe that this Surah has been revealed in Mecca; then the subject mentioned in the Surah about vying and self-glorification is, customarily, referring to the tribes of Quraish who used to boast to each other, in vain, about worthless affairs. But, some others, such as the late Tabarsi who cited his idea in Majma'-al-Bayan, believe that the Surah was revealed in Medina, and what is said is it about vying and boasting in each other's sight refers to the Jews or to two tribes among the 'Ansar'. But, regarding the close similarity that this Surah, being Meccan, has with the Meccan Suras, seems more proper. The content of the Surah in general is firstly, a scorn on those people who, based on things of no value, boast to each other and secondly, there is a warning about the proposition of the Hereafter and the Hell-fire; and finally, warning that we will be questioned about the bounties in our life. The name of the Surah is derived from the words in the first verse.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ أَلْهَىٰكُمُ ٱلتَّكَاثُرُ
Al haaku mut takathur
THE AVARICE OF plenitude keeps you occupied
حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ ٱلْمَقَابِرَ
Hatta zurtumul-maqaabir
Till you reach the grave.
كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ
Kalla sawfa ta'lamoon
But you will come to know soon; --
ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ
Thumma kalla sawfa ta'lamoon
Indeed you will come to know soon.
كَلَّا لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عِلْمَ ٱلْيَقِينِ
Kalla law ta'lamoona 'ilmal yaqeen
And yet if you knew with positive knowledge
لَتَرَوُنَّ ٱلْجَحِيمَ
Latara-wun nal jaheem
You have indeed to behold Hell;
ثُمَّ لَتَرَوُنَّهَا عَيْنَ ٱلْيَقِينِ
Thumma latara wunnaha 'ainal yaqeen
Then you will see it with the eye of certainty.
ثُمَّ لَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
Thumma latus alunna yauma-izin 'anin na'eem
Then on that day you will surely be asked about the verity of pleasures.