Surah 102. At-Takatur Abundance - English Translation

The surah At-Takāthur (“Rivalry in Worldly Increase”) is a Meccan surah of 8 verses, revealed during the early period of the Prophet’s ﷺ mission in Mecca. It condemns the obsession with wealth and status that distracted the Quraysh from faith and reflection on the Hereafter.

According to Ibn Kathīr and Al-Qurṭubī, it was revealed concerning two Meccan clans—Banū ʿAbd Manāf and Banū Sahm—who boasted of their wealth and lineage, even counting their ancestors’ graves to prove superiority. The revelation rebukes this worldly arrogance and reminds mankind of death and accountability.

Main Teachings and Key Insights

• Rivalry in worldly gain blinds people: “Competition for more has distracted you.” (verse 1)
• Death as the great awakener: only upon visiting the graves does man realize his delusion. (verse 2)
• Certainty of the Judgment: repeated three times for emphasis — “No! You will come to know!” (verses 3–5)
• Vision of the Fire: every soul will see the reality of its deeds. (verses 6–7)
• Accountability for blessings: every favor enjoyed will be questioned. (verse 8)

This surah delivers a spiritual awakening and a moral reminder: worldly abundance is fleeting, and gratitude is the true response to divine favor.

Structure and Main Themes

• Verses 1–2: Rebuke of rivalry for wealth and pride, lasting even beyond death.
• Verses 3–5: Emphasis on the certainty of knowledge and the coming Judgment.
• Verses 6–8: Vision of Hellfire and accountability for life’s blessings.

The tone is moralistic and urgent: it seeks to shake the heedless out of complacency and redirect their attention toward eternal realities.

Key Verse

The key verse of the surah is verse 8:

ثُمَّ لَتُسْأَلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ النَّعِيمِ

Then, on that Day, you will surely be asked about the blessings [you enjoyed].

Why is this verse key?

• It affirms the principle of personal accountability: every blessing will be subject to questioning.
• It reminds that material comfort is a test, not a measure of success.
• According to a hadith reported by At-Tirmidhī and Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ said: “You will be questioned about every blessing — the cool water, the shade, and the safety you enjoyed.”

In essence, At-Takāthur denounces the illusion of material rivalry and calls to awareness of death and judgment. It teaches that gratitude and mindfulness of God are the true measures of success in this life and the next.