Competition
Rivalry in accumulation is presented as a distraction continuing until the graves. Ask what is displaced when having more becomes an end in itself. Keep reflection practical by identifying one habit of comparison.
Based on Quran 102:1–2. Original study prompt, not a complete tafsir. Compare the passage ↗English Translation - Noor International Center · QuranEnc.com · v1.1.2 ↗
Issued by Noor International Center. Publisher footnotes appear with their verses.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ أَلْهَىٰكُمُ ٱلتَّكَاثُرُ
(1) Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you
حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ ٱلْمَقَابِرَ
(2) Until you visit the graveyards.[1980]
كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ
(3) No! You are going to know.
ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ
(4) Then, no! You are going to know.
كَلَّا لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عِلْمَ ٱلْيَقِينِ
(5) No! If you only knew with knowledge of certainty...[1981]
لَتَرَوُنَّ ٱلْجَحِيمَ
(6) You will surely see the Hellfire.
ثُمَّ لَتَرَوُنَّهَا عَيْنَ ٱلْيَقِينِ
(7) Then you will surely see it with the eye of certainty.[1982]
ثُمَّ لَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
(8) Then you will surely be asked that Day about pleasure.[1983]