Surah al-Takāthur

Shaykh al-Islām—may Allah have mercy on him—said:

Section: “Surah al-Takāthur”

The words used in this surah,

“Until you visit the graves,”

draw attention to the fact that a visitor must leave the place he visits. This therefore points to the resurrection.

Then He says:

“No! You will soon know.”
“Then no! You will soon know.”

This foretells what they will know in the future. Hence, it is reported from Alī that this refers to punishment in the grave. Then He says:

“No! If only you knew with the knowledge of certainty!”

This refers to their knowing in the present, with the consequent left unstated. That is: the reality would be beyond description; you would know something momentous, and it would turn your attention away from what now distracts you. For distraction through rivalry for more arises only from heedlessness and a lack of certainty.

As He says:

“They denied Our signs and were heedless of them.”

It is also like the Prophet’s saying, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.”

The consequent of “if” is frequently omitted in the Quran to emphasize its magnitude and gravity, for it is too momentous