Al-Asr (العصر)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ وَالْعَصْرِ
Wal' asr
CONSIDER the flight of time!
إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ
Innal insaana lafee khusr
Verily, man is bound to lose himself
إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ
Il lal lazeena aamanu wa 'amilus saali haati wa tawa saw bil haqqi wa tawa saw bis sabr
unless he be of those who attain to faith, and do good works, and enjoin upon one another the keeping to truth, and enjoin upon one another patience in adversity.
Meaning
The Time
Ayas
3
Revelation
Meccan
Surah No
103
The Passage of Time: Surah Al-Asr focuses on the importance of time, emphasizing how precious it is. The Surah warns against wasting time and highlights how human beings, in general, are in loss due to neglecting their purpose in life.
Key Virtues for Success: The Surah teaches the core principles for success: faith, righteous deeds, mutual encouragement of truth, and patience. It underscores the necessity of acting upon these virtues to avoid the loss that time brings to those who do not live purposefully.
Human Accountability: Surah Al-Asr reminds believers that their time on earth is limited and that they will be held accountable for how they spent it.
Emphasis on Time: The Surah highlights that time is a valuable gift from Allah and that it should be used wisely. It serves as a reminder of how fleeting life is and urges believers to use their time in ways that benefit them in this world and the next.
Universal Truth: Although short, this Surah contains universal guidance that can be applied to all of humanity. It is a comprehensive reminder of the necessary components of a successful life: belief, good deeds, truth, and patience.
A Call to Reflection: The Surah invites reflection on how time is spent, encouraging believers to make the most of every moment to engage in righteous actions and good deeds.
Reminder of Time’s Value: Reciting this Surah regularly serves as a powerful reminder of how precious time is and motivates believers to use it wisely, focusing on things that bring benefit both in this life and the Hereafter.
Spiritual Reflection: Surah Al-Asr encourages believers to reflect on their daily actions and life choices. It serves as a guide to assess how they are spending their time in alignment with Allah’s guidance.
Guidance for Success: It provides a clear framework for success: having faith in Allah, performing righteous deeds, encouraging others to follow the truth, and being patient in the face of adversity.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “There are two blessings which many people lose: health and free time.” (Sahih Bukhari)
This Hadith emphasizes the importance of using time wisely, just as Surah Al-Asr stresses the value of time and how easily it can be wasted.
On the Importance of Good Deeds:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “Whoever does a good deed will have its reward, and whoever does an evil deed will face its consequences. And no one will be unjustly treated.” (Sahih Muslim)
This teaching aligns with the message of Surah Al-Asr, which calls for performing righteous deeds to avoid the loss that comes from neglecting time and action.
“If you find any mistakes in this, please let us know. For a more accurate translation, please refer to the English version. May Allah forgive us for any unintentional mistakes.”
