Surah At-Takathur: Depicting Humans’ Worthless Race for Worldly Desires

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Humans are driven by a desire to have more and more things that make them feel better than others. This traps them in an endless and meaningless chase for things that have no real value, taking them away from their true purpose.

The 102nd chapter of the Holy Quran is called "Takathur". This chapter has 8 verses and is in the 30th Juz (part) of the holy book. "Takathur" is one of the chapters that was revealed in Mecca to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The word "Takathur" means competing and boasting about wealth and power. This word is used in the first verse, and that's where this chapter derives its name from.

The word "Takathur" is mentioned twice in the Quran; In the first verse of Surah Takathur and verse 20 of Surah al-Hadid. Some interpreters say the word carries a notion of continuance. So, what is criticized in Surah Takathur is the ongoing rivalry and struggle to accumulate wealth and gain social status.

The message of this chapter is to condemn people who compete with each other for worthless issues. Then it warns them about the Day of Judgment and the fire of Hell, and reminds them that they will be asked about the blessings that God had given them.

Surah Takathur scolds people for competing in gathering wealth, children, friends, and allies. This behavior keeps them away from God and true happiness. This chapter also tells them that they will soon see the consequences of their vain pursuits, and they will be questioned about the blessings that they have received.

This chapter also refers to the tribes that used to count their wealth and population to show their superiority to others, and were proud of this issue. They even went to the graveyard and counted the graves of their dead to increase their numbers.

According to this chapter, this futile competition makes people forget about God, the Day of Judgment, and the main goal of humans.

Some commentators have considered these two verses that contain the word “takathur” as a repetition that emphasizes the same thing; both of them inform about the punishments that await proud people.

While some commentators have considered the first verse as a reference to the punishment in the grave, and the second as a reference to the punishment of the Hereafter.

From this chapter, we can conclude that the main reason for pride and showing off is ignorance of God's reward and punishment, and lack of faith in the Day of Judgment. Also, when people face failure and weakness, they go towards boasting and false pride.