Tafsir of Al-Humazah 104:3

Al-Hamzah: (3) He thinks that his wealth...

Then, the Almighty described him with another form of ignorance, saying: {He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal} (Al-Humazah: 3).

Know that akhladahu (will make him immortal) and khaladahu (will immortalize him) have the same meaning. There are several interpretations regarding this verse:

1. Interpretation 1: It might mean that the length of his hope for wealth is such that, due to his extreme heedlessness and long expectations, he thinks his wealth will keep him eternally in this world, preventing death. The reason the verse uses the past tense, {akhladahu} (will make him immortal), instead of the present tense, yukhalliduhu (will immortalize him), is that the person believes the wealth has guaranteed him immortality and given him security from death, as if this judgment is already finalized. Al-Hasan said: "I have not seen anything as certain as death that is also as uncertain as it is."

2. Interpretation 2: He performs deeds that suggest permanence, such as constructing solid buildings with brick and mortar, acting as someone who believes he will live forever, or acting so that he will be remembered after death because of these deeds.

3. Interpretation 3: He loves his wealth intensely, to the extent that he believes if his wealth decreases, he will die. Therefore, he guards it against any reduction so that he may remain alive. This interpretation is not far from the belief of a miser.

4. Interpretation 4: This is an allusion to righteous deeds, suggesting that it is they which grant the owner lasting remembrance in this world and eternal bliss in the Hereafter.

As for the Almighty's saying: {Kallā} (Nay/Never), there are two views on it:

1. View 1: It is a reprimand against his assumption. The matter is not as he thinks—that wealth will immortalize him—but rather knowledge and righteousness are what grant permanence. This is supported by the saying of Ali (peace be upon him): "The hoarders of wealth die while they are alive, but the scholars remain as long as time remains."

2. View 2: It means "Truly" or "Indeed." The lām (the 'L' sound) in {Lainbudhannu} (he will surely be cast) is the response to an implied oath. This indicates that the meaning of an oath is established within the word Kallā.

{Nay! He will surely be cast into the Crushing Fire. And what will make you know what the Crushing Fire is?} (Al-Humazah: 4-5)