Transliteration:( Wa tattakhizoona masaani'a la'allakum takhludoon )
131. From this we learn that there is no prohibition on putting up strong buildings. However, it is prohibited to forget Allah Almighty through these buildings. This means you get so engrossed in constructing these buildings, as if death will not come to you.
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The tafsir of Surah Ash-Shura verse 129 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Shura ayat 123 which provides the complete commentary from verse 123 through 135.
91. That is, though you have built other buildings also for dwelling purposes, in order to make them grand, beautiful and strong, you expend your wealth and mental and physical abilities in a manner as if you were going to live forever, and there was no purpose of life except seeking of comfort and pleasure and nothing beyond this worldly life which might deserve your attention.
In this connection, one should bear in mind the fact that extravagance in architecture is not a solitary vice in a people. This happens as a result of a people’s becoming affluent and then crazy for selfish gains and materialistic pursuits. When a people reach such a stage, their whole social system becomes corrupted and polluted. Prophet Houd’s (peace be upon him) criticism of his people’s extravagant and luxurious architecture was not simply aimed at the high castles and monuments, but he was actually criticizing their corrupt civilization and social system, whose glaring symptoms could be seen everywhere in the land in the shape of castles and monuments.
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