Surah At-Takaathur (102) — Ayah 1
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 1) ➊ It is from {اَلْهٰىكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ: ’’أَلْهٰي يُلْهِيْ‘‘ ’’ لَهْوٌ‘‘}, which means "such attachment and interest in something that it makes one heedless of important things." {’’ التَّكَاثُرُ ‘‘ ’’ كَثْرَةٌ ‘‘} is a verbal noun from the form 'tafā'ul', which contains the meaning of mutual participation, i.e., the effort to acquire more than each other. Greed to acquire more than all others in wealth, children, status, and honor—in short, in every worldly thing—and then boasting over others after acquiring it.
➋ What is the limit of this greed? Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ لَوْ كَانَ لاِبْنِ آدَمَ وَادِيَانِ مِنْ مَّالٍ لاَبْتَغٰي ثَالِثًا، وَلاَ يَمْلَأُ جَوْفَ ابْنِ آدَمَ إِلاَّ التُّرَابُ، وَيَتُوْبُ اللّٰهُ عَلٰي مَنْ تَابَ ] [ بخاري، الرقاق، باب ما یتقی من فتنۃ المال: ۶۴۳۶ ] "If the son of Adam had two valleys full of wealth, he would seek a third valley, and nothing fills the belly of the son of Adam except dust, and Allah turns to whoever repents." The most harmful greed is for two things; the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [مَا ذِئْبَانِ جَائِعَانِ أُرْسِلاَ فِيْ غَنَمٍ بِأَفْسَدَ لَهَا مِنْ حِرْصِ الْمَرْءِ عَلَی الْمَالِ وَالشَّرَفِ لِدِيْنِهِ ] [ ترمذي، الزھد، باب حدیث ما ذئبان جائعان… : ۲۳۷۶، وصححہ الألباني ] "Two hungry wolves let loose among sheep do not cause as much damage as a man's greed for wealth and honor does to his religion."
➌ What does it make one heedless of? Of Allah's commands, His religion, and the Hereafter.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
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The Literal Meaning of ﴿لهو﴾:
The meaning of ﴿الْهٰكُم﴾ ﴿لهو﴾ is generally taken as play and amusement. But in reality, ﴿لهو﴾ refers to anything that keeps a person away from the real purpose or from something more important, and in the meaning of ﴿اَلْهٰي﴾, it is to remain engaged in some trivial activity and thus divert attention from something more important. Thus, in ﴿الْهٰي﴾, the reason for distraction is not negligence or forgetfulness, but other useless activities.
The Different Forms of ﴿تكاثر﴾:
The word ﴿تَكَاثُر﴾ is used in three meanings:
(1) A person tries to acquire something as much as possible.
(2) People try to surpass each other in acquiring something.
(3) They boast to one another that they have acquired a certain thing in abundance compared to others. As for the question of what this abundance is in, the answer is that anything that is desirable to a person's self, he tries to acquire it in greater number or quantity, and these things can be wealth and riches, children, lofty and magnificent residences, position and power, or the abundance of members of a tribe—anything at all.
