Surah Al-Asr

وَٱلۡعَصۡرِ ﴿١﴾

By time

إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَفِي خُسۡرٍ ﴿٢﴾

Indeed, mankind is in loss

إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ ﴿٣﴾

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

About Surah Al-Asr

Surah Al-Asr is one of the most concise yet comprehensive chapters of the Quran. Imam Ash-Shafi'i noted that if people reflected upon this Surah alone, it would suffice them. It swears by time that humanity is in loss except those who possess four qualities.

Key Themes & Lessons

• Oath by Time (Al-Asr) that humanity is naturally in loss
• The four pillars of salvation: Faith (Iman), Righteous Deeds (Amal Salih), Enjoining Truth (Haqq), and Enjoining Patience (Sabr)

When Commonly Recited

Recited widely in Salah and recited by the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) before parting ways.

Authentic Sources & References