The above ayat is from Surah Al-’Asr – which most of us remember and recite in our prayers very frequently. This is one of the earliest surahs of the Holy Qur’ān which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) in Makkah. Secondly, it is one of the shortest surahs consisting of just three ayaats – first one of which is as small as one word Wal-Asr. The third point regarding this surah is that it is one of the most comprehensive surahs of the Holy Qur’ān.
We all know that the Holy Qur’ān is a book of guidance for all mankind, which was revealed to guide mankind onto the road to falah (success) and nejat (salvation) – this has been described with utmost brevity and comprehensiveness in this short surah. This is why – it is reported – that when sahaba (may Allah be pleased with them) met and sat together they never parted without reciting Surah Al-’Asr to each other. This also seems to be the reason why Imam Al-Sha’feii (may Allah bless him) has said about this surah that if the people were to think over this surah alone, it would be sufficient for their hidayat (guidance). The fourth point is the simplicity and easiness of the words – most of us who are familiar with Urdu may understand its meaning easily.
The three ayaats in this surah form one complete sentence. The first ayaat “Wal-’Asr” (By the Time) is an oath. The second ayaat “Innal insana lafi Khurs” (Lo! Man is in a state of loss) describes a general rule. The third ayat “illal lazina…” (Except those who have achieved iman (Faith), have performed amal-e-saleh (Righteous deeds), and have emphasised to each other the teaching of ‘Twasi bil-haque’ (the Truth) and ‘Twasi bis-sabr’ (mutual exhortation to constancy and steadfastness). This last ayat describes an exception from that general rule. When we think over it, we get four basic lessons from this surah.
Now let us briefly consider the four qualities as mentioned in Surah Al-Asr on the existence of which depends our security from loss and failure.
The first and foremost is to have Iman (Faith). Iman not only refers to iqrar bil-lisan (verbal declaration) but at the same time tasdeeq bil-qalb (heart-felt conviction). Believing in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets refer to iqrar bil-lisan (verbal declaration). Having done that, it is only when we have real conviction in that verbal declaration that our hearts and minds would come under the spell of the Holy Qur’ān, leading us towards genuine devotion and real iman.
After iman (Faith) the second quality required to save us from loss is to perform amal-e-saleh (Righteous deeds) which comprehends all kinds of good and virtuous deeds. However, according to the Qur’ān, no act can be a good act unless it is based on iman (Faith) and it is performed in obedience to the guidance given by Allah and His Messenger. This is why in this surah too it has been mentioned after the iman (Faith). On the contrary, iman (Faith) without righteous deeds would be a false claim. What we require to do after the iman (Faith) in order to remain secure from loss is to perform righteous deeds. In other words, mere iman (Faith) without righteous deeds cannot save us from loss.
The above two qualities are such as must be possessed by every single individual. Then, the Surah mentions two more qualities, which we must have in order to be saved from loss i.e. ‘Twasi bil-haque’ (Exhortation to Truth). Exhortation to truth includes a whole range of activities, from giving personal moral advice to the clarion call of the greatest truth, the truth that the real Lord and Master of this universe is Allah, and that it is He who deserves that His Commands should be promulgated and that His laws should be enforced in this world. And this truth should not merely be pronounced verbally, but a vigorous struggle should be launched for its practical implementation and actualisation.
Besides exhorting to the truth, the other thing which has been declared as a necessary condition for keeping us and our society secure from loss is that the members of our society should enjoin ‘Twasi bis-sabr’ (Patience) upon one another. That is, we should enjoin upon one another to bear with fortitude and steadfastness the difficulties, hardships, trials, losses and deprivations which befall the one who adheres to the truth and supports it. Each one of us should encourage the other to bear up against adversity steadfastly.
Iman (Faith), amal-e-saleh (Righteous deeds), ‘Twasi bil-haque’ (Exhortation to Truth) and ‘Twasi bis-sabr’ (exhortation to Patience) are indispensable requirements for salvation, and also dependent upon each other. All four are indivisible aspects of a unit, and are inseparable factors of one single totality. If Iman (Faith) has in reality penetrated in our heart, it will necessarily result in the performance of amal-e-saleh (Righteous deeds) and if the habit of doing amal-e-saleh (Righteous deeds) has become our second nature, its natural outcome would be ‘Twasi bil-haque’ (Exhortation to Truth); and if the preaching of haque (Truth) is done with real sincerity and dedication, it will necessarily lead to the stage of ‘Twasi bis-sabr’ (exhortation to Patience and endurance).
By getting closer to the Qur’ān and studying Surah Al-’Asr we get a very different criteria for success and failure. It changes our viewpoint altogether and we realise that we will be at great loss on the Day of Judgment i.e. in akhira – if the criterion of our success is only money or wealth, or status, or position, or power – until and unless we do have real iman, perform amal-e-saleh, inculcate in each other the teaching of ‘Twasi bil-haque’ (the Truth) and ‘Twasi bis-sabr’ (mutual exhortation to constancy and steadfastness).
We are living in a world of cause and effect, and we are bound to be influenced by its external features. We know that in today’s world we get comfort, prosperity, honour and reputation only if we have money and other worldly resources, therefore, we even unwillingly feel bound to rush to get this so much so that we forget to distinguish between right and wrong, legal and illegal, approved and forbidden.
With a little thought it becomes clear that if the simple truth stated in this great surah is engraved on our heart and penetrates our soul, it will revolutionise our point of view, change our values, and transform our day to day life dramatically. What we use to think most important earlier will appear to be most trivial, and what was insignificant before will become significant. This is the real lesson of this unique surah. This surah does not isolate us rather insulates us so that all our actions in this life make us successful in the real sense in both the worlds.
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