Benefits and Method of Reciting Surah Al-Takathur for Wealth + Surah Al-Takathur Audio with Text

According to Saednews, Surah At-Takathur is the 102nd chapter of the Holy Qur’an and is located in Juz 30. It was revealed in Makkah. This Surah refers to human greed and attachment to wealth and worldly life, and begins with the verse “Alhākum at-takāthur” (Rivalry in worldly increase diverts you). In this section, you will become familiar with the effects and blessings of Surah At-Takathur.

Reason for naming Surah At-Takathur

Before understanding what Surah At-Takathur is for, it is important to know key details about it. It is called “At-Takathur” because this word appears in its first verse. (Qur’an Encyclopedia and Qur’anic Studies, Vol. 2, p. 1267)

“Takathur” means rivalry and competing with one another in increasing wealth and social status. (Raghib Isfahani, Mufradat Alfaz al-Qur’an, under the root “kathr”)

Surah At-Takathur rebukes people for competing in collecting wealth, children, and supporters—traits that distract them from God and true happiness. It also warns that such people will soon see the consequences of this useless distraction and will be questioned about the blessings given to them. (Tabataba’i, Al-Mizan, 1974, Vol. 20, pp. 351–352)

In narrations, it is mentioned that “blessings” refers to the أهل البیت (Ahl al-Bayt). It is also narrated that reciting this Surah is equivalent to reciting one thousand verses of the Qur’an.

Number of verses and features of Surah At-Takathur

Surah At-Takathur has 8 verses, 28 words, and 123 letters. It is considered one of the “Mufassalat” Surahs (short-verse chapters). (Qur’an Encyclopedia, 1377 SH, Vol. 2, p. 1267)

Order and place of revelation

Surah At-Takathur is a Makki Surah. In the order of revelation, it was the 16th Surah revealed to the Prophet (PBUH). In the current Qur’anic arrangement, it is the 102nd Surah and is located in Juz 30.

Occasion of revelation (Shan-e-Nuzul)

This Surah was revealed regarding two tribes of Quraysh, the descendants of Abd Manaf ibn Qusay and the descendants of Sahm ibn Amr. They boasted to each other about their numbers of nobles and began counting them. The tribe of Abd Manaf had more nobles, so the descendants of Sahm said they would even count their dead. They went to the graves and counted them. Eventually, they claimed superiority based on numbers of the dead, a practice of pre-Islamic ignorance. (Tafsir Majma’ al-Bayan, Tabarsi, Vol. 10, p. 811)

Virtues of Surah At-Takathur

It is narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

• Whoever recites Surah At-Takathur is called “a grateful one” in the heavenly realm. (Al-Jami’ al-Saghir, Vol. 2, p. 234)

• Whoever recites it before sleeping with sincere intention is given 70,000 good deeds, 70,000 sins are forgiven, and 70,000 درجات (levels) are raised for him. Such a person may also intercede for family, neighbors, and friends, and the hardships of encountering Nakir and Munkar are eased for him. (Al-Durr al-Manthur, Vol. 6, p. 386)

• Whoever recites Surah At-Takathur, Allah will not hold him accountable for the blessings given in this world. And whoever recites it during rainfall, his sins are forgiven after completing its recitation. (Tafsir al-Burhan, Vol. 5, p. 743)

Imam Ali (AS) said:

• This Surah was revealed concerning the truth of punishment in the grave. (Al-Durr al-Manthur, Vol. 6, p. 387)

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS) said:

• Whoever recites Surah At-Takathur in obligatory or recommended prayers, Allah will record the reward of 100 martyrs. In recommended prayers, the reward of 50 martyrs is written for him, and in obligatory prayers, 40 rows of angels pray with him. (Thawab al-A’mal, p. 125)

It is also narrated that whoever recites this Surah during the Asr prayer will remain safe until the next day’s sunset. (Tafsir al-Burhan, Vol. 5, p. 743)

Benefits, effects, and blessings of Surah At-Takathur

1. Wealth through reciting it 40 times

It is narrated that if someone recites Surah At-Takathur 40 times on Monday or Wednesday, they may gain great wealth and unexpected goodness. (Kashkul, Afshari Urmia’i, p. 11)

2. Gift and goodness for the deceased

A narrated practice for the night of burial:

Two units of prayer are performed:

• In the first rak’ah: Surah Al-Ikhlas is recited twice after Al-Fatiha

• In the second rak’ah: Surah At-Takathur is recited ten times after Al-Fatiha

Then the supplication:

“O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, and deliver its reward to the grave of this deceased (mention name).”

This is one of the prayers of the first night of burial (Laylat al-Dafn). (Baqiyat al-Salihat, p. 211)

3. Fulfillment of needs

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS) said: recite Surah At-Takathur 22 times in seclusion, then send 1000 salawat, and ask for your need—Allah will fulfill it. (Treatment with the Qur’an, p. 161)

4. For children and healing illness

A narrated practice for healing a child includes prayer and repeated recitation of Surah At-Takathur, followed by dhikr, prostration, and salawat. (Tohfat al-Radawiyyah, p. 92)

5. Great reward

The Prophet (PBUH) asked: “Can anyone of you recite 1000 verses daily?” Then said: “Surah At-Takathur equals 1000 verses.” (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 92, p. 336)

6. Relief from headache

It is narrated that reciting this Surah over a person with headache removes the pain by Allah’s permission. (Treatment with the Qur’an, p. 161)

Full text of Surah At-Takathur with meaning

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

1. Rivalry in worldly increase diverts you

2. Until you visit the graves

3. No! You will soon know

4. Again, no! You will soon know

5. No indeed! If you knew with certainty

6. You will surely see Hell

7. Then you will see it with certainty of sight

8. Then you will surely be questioned that Day about blessings

Recitation audio (Tarteel)

Recitation of Surah At-Takathur by Professor Parhizgar