Intro. to S. 102.
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY: SURAT At-Takiithur, 102.
This probably early Makkan Sura gives a warning against acquisitiveness,
i.e., the passion for piling up quantities or numbers, whether in the good things
of this world, or in man-power or in other forms of megalomania, which leave
no time or opportunity for pursuing the higher things of life.
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Sura At-Takathur 102 Ayat 1-6
In the name of Allah,
I. The mutual rivalry
For piling up (the good things
Of this world) diverts you 6257
(From the more serious things),
Until ye visit the graves. 6258
But nay, ye soon shall
Know (the reality).
Again, yc soon shall know!
5. Nay, were ye to know
With certainty of mind,625Y
(Ye would beware!)
6. Ye shall certainly see
Hell_fire!6260
6257. Acquisitiveness, that is, the passion for seeking an increase in wealth, position,
the number of adherents or followers or supporters, mass production and mass
organisation. may affect an individual as such. or it may affect whole societies or nations.
Other people's example or rivalry in sueh things may aggravate the situation. Up to a
certain point it may be good and necessary. But when it becomes inordinate and
monopolises attention. it leaves no time for higher things in life. and a clear warning is
here sounded from a moral point of view. Man may be engrossed in these things till death
approaches. and he looks back on a wasted life. as far as the higher things are concerned.
6258. That is, until the time comes when you must lie down in the graves and leave
and pomp and circumstance of an empty life. The true Reality will then appear before
you. Why not try to strive for a little understanding of that Reality in this very life'?
6259. Three kinds of yaqin (certainty of knowledge) are described in n. 5673 to Ixix.
51. The first is certainty of mind or inference mentioned here: we hear from someone.
or we infer from something we know: this refers to our own state of mind. If we instruct
our minds in this way. we should value the deeper things of life better. and not waste
all our time in ephemeral things. But if we do not use our reasoning faculties now, we
shall yet see with our own eyes. the Penalty for our sins. It will be certainty of sight.
We shall see Hell. See next verse. But the absolute certainty of assured Truth is that
described in Ixix. 51. That is not liable to any human error or psychological defects.
6260. See xix. 71-72. and n. 2518.
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5.102, A.7-g , •" }lS::.ll oJ"...
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7. Again, ye shall see it
With certainty of sight!
8. Then, shall ye be
Questioned that Day
About the joy6261
(Ye indulged in!)
6261. We shall be questioned. i.e.• we shall be held responsible for every kind of
joy we indulge in-whether it was false pride or delight in things of no value, or things
evil. or the enjoyment of things legitimate.-the last, to see whether we kept this within
reasonable bounds.
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