Chapter 104 of the Quran

**2. The Veil of Human Vanity and Wealth**

Al-Humazah extends a pronounced critique of materialism, wherein the obsession with wealth blinds individuals to ethical imperatives. The text states, “Who amasses wealth and continuously counts it.” From a Shia perspective, this obsession is not merely a personal failing but an endemic societal malaise that distracts from the fundamental tenets of faith.

In essence, the surah infuses a sense of urgency, denouncing the commodification of humanity. Wealth, in this light, becomes an insidious force leading to spiritual impoverishment. Furthermore, the metaphor of a fire that “will be kindled” serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of vacuous pursuits. This fire illuminates the desolation brought forth not by mere poverty, but by the moral bankruptcy of one who has lost sight of their spiritual obligations.