Christian Churches of God
No. Q102

Commentary on the Koran: Surah 102 “Emulous Desire”

(Edition 1.5 20180601-20201220)
A Very Early Beccan Surah that warns against a desire to accumulate wealthy goods that are no benefit in the grave and contribute to punishment in the Lake of Fire.
Christian Churches of God
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(Copyright © 2018, 2020 Wade Cox and Alan Brach)

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Commentary on the Koran: Surah 102 “Emulous Desire”

Pickthall Translation; Bible Quotes are from the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted.

Introduction

At-Takathur.  Pickthall titles this “Rivalry in Worldly Increase” which are the words of the first verse.

It is a Very Early Beccan Surah warning against preoccupation with worldly goods and increase.

102.1. Rivalry in worldly increase distracteth you

102.2. Until ye come to the graves.

102.3. Nay, but ye will come to know!

102.4. Nay, but ye will come to know!

102.5. Nay, would that ye knew (now) with a sure knowledge!

102.6. For ye will behold hell-fire.

102.7. Aye, ye will behold it with sure vision.

102.8. Then, on that day, ye will be asked concerning pleasure.

The messengers did come to them with the essential knowledge but they had their minds occupied with other things in this physical life and they paid no attention and turned their backs to the messengers. They indulged in their passions during their life time and went to their graves in due time. They will wake up during the Second Resurrection and they will come to know as all things will be explained to them. During that training and re-education period they will be made aware of and they will behold that lake of fire that will consume them if they refuse to come to repentance during the allotted 100 years of the Second Resurrection.

Refer to:

Revelation 20:11-15 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017) at ayat 15; 1John 2:16-17 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 18 (No. Q018) at ayat 8; John 5:28-29 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 21 (No. Q021) at ayat 47; Revelation 21:8 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 23 (No. Q023)  at ayat 98; Daniel 12:2 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 24 (No. Q024) at ayat 42; Matthew 25:41 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 30 (No. Q030) at ayat 16; Isaiah 66:24 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 34 (No. Q034) at ayat 38; 1Timothy 6:9-10 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 64 (No. Q064) at ayat 15 and 1Timothy 6:17 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 64 (No. Q064) at ayat 17

Ecclesiastes 5:10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

Matthew 13:22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Luke 12:15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”