Surah Al-Asr is a surah of the Holy Quran, consisting of three short and simple verses in number, but it carries within it great wisdom and lessons. It is a surah that is full of contemplation and reflection, and it carries a powerful and influential message for every individual who seeks the truth and the right direction in their lives.
Surah Al-Asr teaches us that life is short and valuable, and that we must invest our time and efforts in what benefits us and benefits others. We must maintain our faith and do good deeds, strive to spread goodness and truth, and be patient in the face of challenges. Only in this way can we achieve true happiness and be successful and prosperous in this world and the hereafter.
History of the revelation of Surah Al-Asr
The history of the revelation of Surah Al-Asr dates back to the Meccan period of the Prophet’s mission, before the Hijra to Medina. However, there is no clear agreement among commentators on the date of its revelation or the events surrounding it. Therefore, it is not possible to determine its date with certainty.
About the Surah
Surah Al-Asr is considered a short and concise surah that carries within it great literary and divine guidance. It reflects a deep and important message for humans about the importance of time and the optimal exploitation of life. The surah encourages good deeds and charity, and reminds us of the importance of time and its scarcity.
Summary of the Surah
Surah Al-Asr summarizes the philosophy of life and teaches us that man is a loser unless he believes and does good deeds. It also encourages patience, honesty, humility, and good deeds.
Causes of revelation
There is a disagreement about the reason for the revelation of Surah Al-Asr due to the lack of explicit agreement. Two narrations have been reported, despite their weakness:
First narration
Surah Al-Asr was revealed when the polytheists mocked the Muslims for their poverty and need. These verses were revealed to comfort them and to reassure them that hardship does not last forever, but that it must be followed by ease.
Second narration
Surah Al-Asr was revealed when the Prophet asked his Lord about salvation from loss. These verses were revealed to reassure him that salvation lies in faith, good deeds, and mutual exhortation to truth and patience.
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Virtues of Surah Al-Asr
Surah Al-Asr is a short surah in the Quran, and despite its small size, it carries great virtues and contains an important message for humanity. Here are some of the attested virtues of Surah Al-Asr:
1- Reminding of the importance of time
Surah Al-Asr reminds us of the importance of time and its scarcity. In the first verse of the surah, Allah Almighty says: “By time” (Al-Asr: 1). This indicates that man is at a loss unless he uses his time in a beneficial way.
2- Encouraging good deeds
Surah Al-Asr encourages the importance of good deeds and charity. In the second verse, Allah Almighty says: “Except those who have believed and done righteous deeds” (Al-Asr: 2). This means that faith and good deeds are the key to salvation and happiness in life.
3- Encouraging patience and honesty
Surah Al-Asr encourages patience and honesty in life. In the third verse, Allah Almighty says: “And advise each other to the truth and advise each other to patience” (Al-Asr: 3). This means that advising each other to the truth and adhering to it and patience in the face of trials and tribulations are important qualities that we should possess.
4- Reminding that man is at a loss
Surah Al-Asr reminds us that man is at a loss unless he is among those who believe and do righteous deeds. It emphasizes the importance of faith and good deeds in achieving salvation and eternal happiness.
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Interpretation of Surah Al-Asr
Surah Al-Asr is a Meccan surah, from the mufassal, with 3 verses, and its order in the Qur’an is 103, in the 30th part. Surah Al-Asr talks about the nature of man, and that he is in loss, unless he believes and does righteous deeds, and enjoins the good and forbids the evil.
وَٱلۡعَصۡرِ (1) إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَفِي خُسۡرٍ (2) إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ (3)
Verse 1: {وَالْعَصْرِ}
This verse swears by the age, which is the time that a person goes through between dawn and evening, and it is one of the greatest times, as it brings together night and day.
The interpretation of this verse is that God Almighty swears by the age to emphasize the importance of these verses that he will recite.
Verse 2: {إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ}
This verse tells us that man is in loss, unless he believes and does righteous deeds, and enjoins the good and forbids the evil.
The interpretation of this verse is that man is in loss in this world and the hereafter, unless he believes in God Almighty and does righteous deeds, and enjoins people to do good and forbids them from doing evil, for this is the one who will be saved from loss and win in this world and the hereafter.
Verse 3: {إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوۡا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡا بِٱلصَّبۡرِ}
This verse shows that salvation from loss is through faith, good deeds, and mutual exhortation to truth and patience.
The interpretation of this verse is that salvation from loss is through faith in God, good deeds, mutual exhortation to truth, which is calling to God Almighty, enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, and mutual exhortation to patience, which is perseverance in the truth and jihad in its way.
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