The Rivalry in Increase of Worldly Things Diverts You

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

“The mutual rivalry for piling up of worldly things diverts you; Until you visit the graves (i.e. till you die). Nay! You shall come to know! Again, Nay! You shall come to know! Nay! If you knew with a sure knowledge (the end result of piling up, you would not have occupied yourselves in worldly things). Verily, You shall see the blazing Fire (Hell)! And again, you shall see it with certainty of sight! Then, on that Day, you shall be asked about the delight (you indulged in, in this world)!” [Surah at-Takathur, 102:1-8, Translation by Muhsin Khan]

Tafseer Ibn Kathir:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

(1. The mutual increase diverts you,) (2. Until you visit the graves.) (3. Nay! You shall come to know!) (4. Again nay! You shall come to know!) (4. Again nay! You shall come to know!) (5. Nay! If you knew with a sure knowledge.) (6. Verily, you shall see the blazing Fire!) (7. And again, you shall see it with certainty of sight!) (8. Then on that Day you shall be asked about the delights!) [Surah at-Takathur, 102:1-8]

The Result of Loving the World and Heedlessness of the Hereafter

Allah says that all are preoccupied by love of the world, its delights and its adornments, and this distracts you from seeking the Hereafter and desiring it. This delays you until death comes to you and you visit the graves, thus becoming its inhabitants. In Sahih Al-Bukhari, it is recorded in the Book of Ar-Riqaq (Narrations that soften the Heart) from Anas bin Malik, who reported that Ubayy bin Ka`b said, “We used to think that this was a part of the Quran until the Ayah was revealed which says; “The mutual increase diverts you.” He was referring to the Hadith in which the Prophet said,

“If the Son of Adam had a valley of gold, he would desire another like it…” Imam Ahmad recorded from `Abdullah bin Ash-Shikhkhir that he said, “I came to the Messenger of Allah while he was saying, “The mutual increase diverts you.”” He was referring to the Hadith in which the Prophet said, “The mutual increase diverts you.” “The Son of Adam says, “My wealth, my wealth.” But do you get anything (of benefit) from your wealth except for that which you ate and you finished it, or that which you clothed yourself with and you wore it out, or that which you gave as charity and you have spent it”” Muslim, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i also recorded this Hadith. Muslim recorded in his Sahih from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah said,

“The servant says “My wealth, my wealth.” Yet he only gets three (benefits) from his wealth: that which he eats and finishes, that which he eats and finishes, that which he wears until it is worn out, or that which he gives in charity and it is spent. Everything else other than that will go away and leave him for the people.” Muslim was alone in recording this Hadith. Al-Bukhari recorded from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah said,

“Three things follow the deceased person, and two of them return while one remains behind with him. The things which follow him are his family, his wealth and his deeds. His family and his wealth return while his deeds remain.” This Hadith has also been recorded by Muslim, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i. Imam Ahmad recorded from Anas that the Prophet said,

“The Son of Adam becomes old with senility, but yet two things remain with him: greed and hope.” Both of them (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) recorded this Hadith in the Two Sahihs.

Watch the following Dars in Urdu, for explanation of the Surah at-Takathur. Explanation by Dr Murtaza bin Bakhsh (Hafidahullah):