26 Jan 2025 Surah Al ASR

Surah Al ASR, 26 January 2024, Ayaaz

Introduction:

Surah Al Asr is the 103rd Chapter in the Holy Quran, it contains 3 ayats and is the 3rd shortest Surah after Surah Al-Kawthar and Surah Al-Nasr.

History:

There are conflicting opinions on when this Surah was revealed to the Prophet.

This Surah (supposedly) was revealed to the prophet in the holy city of Mecca, before Prophet migrated to the city of Medina. How important this Surah was in the sight of the Companions can be judged from the tradition cited from Hadrat Abdullah bin Hisn ad-Darimi Abu Madinah, according to which whenever any two of them met they would not part company until they had recited Surah Al-Asr to each other. (Narrated by Al-Tabarani)

(Note: Although Mujahid, Qatadah and Muqatil regard it as a Madani Surah, yet a great majority of the commentators opine that it is Makki; its subject matter also testifies that it must have been sent down in the earliest stage at Makkah when the message of Islam was being presented in brief but highly impressive sentences so that the listeners who heard them once could not forget them even if they wanted to, for they were automatically committed to memory)

Translation

________

وَٱلْعَصْرِ ١

1: By time,

(Also the name of the Surah)

______________

إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسْرٍ ٢

2: Indeed, mankind is in loss,

(Mankind will be at a loss forever)

______________

إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ ٣

3: Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

(This is an exception to those who have rightfully believed in Allah's message and do righteous deeds and advised their peers to follow as well and be patient.)

Overall view:

This surah begins with an oath by "time," declaring that humankind is in a state of loss except for those who believe, do righteous deeds, and encourage one another to truth and patience. Personally, I think this surah is simple and straightforward. Allah succinctly reminds us that success in deen and in our daily lives lies in faith, righteous actions, and mutual encouragement of truth and patience.

The main key virtues of the Surah are the following:

1- Reminding of the importance of time

2- Encouraging good deeds

3- Encouraging patience and honesty

4- Reminding that man is at a loss unless they follow the right path.

Questions to discuss:

1. Curious on what you guys think could be the correct time of revelation to the Prophet?

2. Why does the Surah use the word As'r when there are other words that also refer to time like Waqt, sa'ah and Dahr

References:

[1] https://amrayn.com/quran/info/103

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Asr

[3] https://www.newmuslims.com/lessons/247/an-explanation-of-surah-al-asr (Recommended to read)