Surah At-Takaathur (سُورَةُ التَّكَاثُرِ) — Translation, Meaning & Tafsir

Overview

At-Takaathur (سُورَةُ التَّكَاثُرِ) — "Competition" is the 102nd chapter of the Holy Quran. It contains 8 verses and is a Meccan (Makki) surah.

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Selected Verses

Verse 1

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ أَلْهَىٰكُمُ ٱلتَّكَاثُرُ

YOU ARE OBSESSED by greed for more and more

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Verse 2

حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ ٱلْمَقَابِرَ

until you go down to your graves.

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Verse 3

كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

Nay, in time you will come to understand!

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Verse 4

ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

And once again: Nay, in time you will come to understand!

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Verse 5

كَلَّا لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عِلْمَ ٱلْيَقِينِ

Nay, if you could but understand [it] with an understanding [born] of certainty,

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Verse 6

لَتَرَوُنَّ ٱلْجَحِيمَ

you would indeed, most surely, behold the blazing fire [of hell]!

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Verse 7

ثُمَّ لَتَرَوُنَّهَا عَيْنَ ٱلْيَقِينِ

In the end you will indeed, most surely, behold it with the eye of certainty:

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Verse 8

ثُمَّ لَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ

and on that Day you will most surely be called to account for [what you did with] the boon of life!

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Key Themes

The surah of At-Takaathur (Competition) covers important Islamic themes including faith, guidance, and the relationship between humanity and Allah. As a Meccan (Makki) surah, it reflects the spiritual and theological context of that period of revelation.

Virtues of Reading This Surah

Regular recitation of the Quran is highly encouraged. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

"The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it." — Sahih Al-Bukhari

Reading any portion of the Quran brings immense rewards. Make a habit of reciting Surah At-Takaathur as part of your daily Quran reading.

How to Recite

1. Make wudu (ritual purification) before touching the Mushaf
2. Begin with "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil)
3. Begin with Bismillah (except in Surah At-Tawbah)
4. Recite with tarteel (measured, deliberate pace)
5. Reflect on the meaning as you recite

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When was Surah At-Takaathur revealed? It was revealed during the Meccan (Makki) period of the Prophet's ﷺ mission.

Q: How many verses does Surah At-Takaathur have? It contains 8 ayaat (verses).

Q: What does "Competition" mean? The name "At-Takaathur" translates to "Competition" in English.