Islam Guidance

Introduction

In the Name of Allah,the Beneficent,the Merciful
Sura Takathur
(Vying in Exuberance)
No. 102 (8 Verses)
Contents of the Sura:
Numerous commentators believe that this Sura has been revealed in Mecca; then the subject mentioned in the Sura about vying and self-glorification is, customarily, refering to the tribes of Quraish who used to boast to each other, in vain, about worthless affairs.
But, some others, such as the late Tabarsi who cited his idea in Majma'-al-Bayan, believe that the Sura was revealed in Medina, and what is said in it about vying and boasting in each other's sight refers to the Jews or to two tribes among the 'Ansar'. But, regarding the close similarity that this Sura, being Meccan, has with the Meccan Suras, seems more proper.
The content of the Sura, in general, is, firstly, a scorn on those people who, based on things of no value, boast to each other; secondly, there is a warning about the proposition of the Hereafter and the Hell-fire; and, finally, warning that we will be questioned about the bounties in our life. The name of the Sura is derived from the words in the first verse.
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The Virtue of Studying Sura Takathur:
On the virtue of reciting the Sura, a tradition from the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) says: "He who recites it, Allah will not account the bounties he was given in the world and He will award him such a reward as if he had recited one thousand verses (of the Qur 'an). (1)
A tradition from Imam Sadiq denotes that "the recitation of this Sura in the obligatory and optional prayers has a reward similar to Martyrdom.(2)
It is obvious that these total rewards are for the one who recites it, practices it in his daily life and harmonizes his mind and soul with it.
 
(1) Majma'-al-Bayan, vol. 10, p. 532.
(2) Ibid.

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