Allah Says: The mutual increase diverts you, Until you visit the graves.
Allah says that all are preoccupied by love of the world, its delights and its adornments, and this distracts you from seeking the Hereafter and desiring it.
This delays you until death comes to you and you visit the graves, thus becoming its inhabitants.
Imam Ahmad recorded from Abdullah bin Ash-Shikhkhir that he said, “I came to the Messenger of Allah while he was saying,
“The mutual increase diverts you.”
He was referring to the Hadith in which the Prophet said:
“If the Son of Adam had a valley of gold, he would desire another like it...”
Muslim recorded in his Sahih from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah Sallalahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The servant says – ‘My wealth, my wealth.’
Yet he only gets three (benefits) from his wealth: –
1) that which he eats and finishes,
2) that which he wears until it is worn out,
3) or that which he gives in charity and it is spent.
Everything else other than that will go away and leave him for the people.”
Muslim was alone in recording this Hadith.
Al-Bukhari recorded from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah said:
“Three things follow the deceased person, and two of them return while one remains behind with him.
The things which follow him are his family, his wealth and his deeds.
His family and his wealth return while his deeds remain.”
This Hadith has also been recorded by Muslim, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i.
[ Entirely taken from the book ‘Tafsir Ibn Kathir’ ]