Sūrah At-Takāthur The Rivalry in Worldly Increase
التكاثر
Al-Qurṭubī derives from this surah's condemnation of worldly rivalry the fiqh ruling on isrāf (extravagance) its prohibition, the distinction from legitimate generosity, and the legal standard for wasteful spending.
Al-Qurṭubī derives from verses 1-2 "rivalry in worldly increase diverts you until you visit the graveyards" the condemnation of takāthur (competitive accumulation of wealth, prestige, and resources). He maps this to the fiqh ruling on isrāf: spending beyond legitimate need in a blameworthy manner is ḥarām. The critical distinction is between isrāf (blameworthy excess) and karāmah (generous hospitality, legitimate luxury within one's means).
Al-Qurṭubī notes the Shāfiʿī school's sophisticated distinction: generous spending on ḍiyāfah (hospitality), family comfort, and legitimate pleasures is not isrāf even if substantial it is karāmah. Isrāf is characterized by: (1) spending on ḥarām, (2) spending to show off (tafākhur), (3) spending beyond any reasonable need with no legitimate purpose. The Ḥanbalī school is strictest even in permissible things, excess beyond need approaches makrūh and can reach ḥarām. Al-Qurṭubī connects this to the zakāh obligation: zakāh is the Islamic mechanism for preventing wealth from merely "diverting" until death without benefit.
- Isrāf (extravagance) is ḥarām established by multiple Qurʾānic verses and prophetic traditions; spending on ḥarām, showing off through consumption, or wasting resources are all prohibited.
- Karāmah (generous hospitality, legitimate generous spending) is distinct from isrāf the Shāfiʿī school's distinction is most clearly articulated.
- Tafākhur (boasting of wealth) is ḥarām Mālikī school specifically emphasizes this; competitive display is the takāthur that this surah condemns.
- Zakāh is the Islamic mechanism for preventing wealth from becoming pure takāthur mandatory redistribution ensures accumulated wealth has ongoing social benefit.
- Accountability for pleasures (naʿīm) concerns how wealth was obtained and used pleasures from ḥalāl sources properly used are not condemned; isrāf and ḥarām pleasures are.