Explanation of the Makki Surah 'At-Takaathur' "Competition for worldly gains"

In the Name of Allah, The Entirely Merciful, The Especially Merciful.

(1) Allah reprimands His slaves for being distracted from the purpose of their creation: worshipping Him alone without any partners, knowing Him, turning to Him in repentance, and giving preference to what He loves over everything else. "Diverts you" away from that which was mentioned, "Competition for more worldly gains" exactly what worldly gains are being referred to has been left unmentioned so as to include everything that people pile up and take pride in wealth, children, helpers, armies, servants, status and the likes: everything, whose goal is not Allah's face, that one person seeks to surpass another in distracts you from your purpose.

(2) Your idle pastime and state of heedlessness will continue "until you end up in your graves",” when the veil of negligence will be lifted from you; but then it will be too late to do anything! His saying "until you end up in your graves" proves that the Barzakh, the life of the grave, is a wayfaring post whose purpose is to pass one on his way to the Abode of the Hereafter. This is because Allah called the deceased in their graves visitors, and did not call them residents. This then directs the person's attention to the Resurrection and the recompense for deeds in an Abode that is eternal.

(3-6) It is for this reason that Allah proceeds to threaten them with His words, "But no! You will soon come to know. Again, no! You will soon come to know. No! If you only knew with a sure knowledge (the end result of piling up, you would not have occupied yourselves in worldly things)" i.e. if you knew what lies before you with a knowledge that penetrates the heart, competition would not have distracted you; instead you would have rushed to work righteous deeds.

However, the absence of true knowledge has led to that which you are witnessing, "You will surely see the Hellfire" you will witness the Rising and you will see the Hell which is prepared for the disbelievers.

(7) "Then you will see it with the eye of certainty",” with the physical eye, as Allah says, “"The evildoers will see the Fire and realize they are going to fall into it and find no way of escaping from it" (18:53).

(8) "Then, on that Day, you will definitely be questioned about your worldly pleasures", in this world. Did you show Him due gratitude? Did you fulfil the rights of Allah in this world and not use his blessings to disobey Him? If so He will confer upon you a blessing far greater and better. Were you deceived by this world and abandoned due gratitude? If so, Allah will punish you: "On the Day when those who disbelieved are exposed to the Fire: You dissipated the good things you had in your worldly life and enjoyed yourself in it. So today you are being repaid with the punishment of humiliation for being arrogant in the earth without any right and for being deviators"(46:20).