Surah al-Asr is the 103rd Surah of the Noble
Qur’an. It was revealed in the Holy city of Makkah. It is one of the shortest
Surahs. It has three Ayahs. It describes the ultimate loss of all human beings
except men who develop and possess the following qualities and are:
1. Faithful.
2. Perform good deeds.
3. Persuade others towards virtues.
4. Advise patience.
It is important and very essential that one should not
only have knowledge of the above qualities but also practice them. Allama Tabatabai (r.a.) in
Tafseer-al-Mizaan says: “God Almighty has elucidated all the learning of the
Qur’an and all the Divine Truths and Truths about mankind in this small Surah.”
The literal meaning of the Ayahs is;
“(I swear) by the time, human beings are
doomed to suffer loss (and fail), except the righteously striving believers who
exhort each other to truthful purposes and to patience.”
The meaning of “Asr” is to squeeze. However, subsequently it
was used to denote continuity of time. Some others thought that it refers to
the period when the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) was sent into this world to preach
the religion of Allah (s.w.t.), Islam, so that mankind, in all ages, came out
from the darkness of ignorance into the light of Divine Guidance and reach
higher realms of spiritual bliss. Imam
Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “It refers to the age when the living Imam Mahdi
(a.t.f.) will be commissioned by Allah (s.w.t.) to administer the human society
under the laws of Allah (s.w.t.) prescribed in Islam. He further said that the
person who recites this Surah in the recommended prayers will have a shining
face on the Day of Judgment. Further, one who recites this Surah will be
patient in adversity and will be counted among the people of truth.”
The word “Asr”
have been used 5 times, “Inasan” 97
times, “Khusr” 65 times, “Aml” 359 times, “Sulh” (root word for Salehat)
189 times, “Haq” 287 times, “Sabr”
103 times, in the Noble Qur’an.
Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) was inquired about the word
“Insan” in this Surah, He said:”Because Insan have a tendency to forget.” Human beings are created by Allah (s.w.t.) in
the best form, provided Divine Guidance over the centuries through His Prophets
and Imams and also intellect to decide whether to follow right path or follow
the Shaitan. Ultimately, by his wrong decisions, man’s life results in loss.
Time is like a capital which goes away as days turn into months, months turn
into years and his life ends in a loss.
As stated earlier, the only fortunate people are those who
have strong belief, do virtuous deeds in the light of those beliefs, exercise
“Amr-e-Bil Maroof” and exhort others to be patient in every walk of life.
Belief or Faith is like a lamp inside a dark room which not only illuminates
the room but its light comes out from the windows which is visible to outsiders. The light of Faith beams out from the tongue,
eyes, ears and the limbs of a faithful! Man’s actions are reflection of his
beliefs and thoughts. Faith or belief is what we call “Roots of Islam”; faith in Tauheed
or oneness of God, that He dispenses Justice, has sent one hundred twenty four
thousand Prophets, that He revealed
the four Divine Books to guide humanity, the last one being the Noble Qur’an,
and the Day of Reckoning Because the
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) was the last Prophet, but the earth cannot be left
without Guidance, hence the task of interpretation and protection of Islam was
assigned to the Infallible Imams.
That is the reason Allah have protected the last Imam and placed him in Occultation,
and he continues to guide the mankind like sun provides energy to earth from
behind the clouds.
Good deeds are like the fruits of a fruitful tree. The “Branches of Islam” covers the virtuous
deeds which are; prayers, fasting, Hajj, Zakaat, Khums, Jihad, Amre BilMaroof,
Nahi Anal Munkar, Tawwala, Tabarra.
Haq means truth.
There are about twelve meanings of the word “Haq” used in the Noble Qur’an. Haq means Allah as stated in Surah al-Anaam, Ayah 62. Haq means Prophet as mentioned in
Surah al-Imran Ayah 86 which says: “Bear
witness that the Prophet is Haq.”
There is a famous Tradition of the Holy
Prophet (s.a.w.s.) which says: “Ali is with Haq and Haq is with Ali. Both are inseparable till they meet me at the
“Kauthar”. Other meaning of Haq used in the Noble Qur’an are Qur’an itself,
justice, and Islam.
In the Ayah, only Amre Bil Maroof has been mentioned.
According to the Traditions, one should perform virtuous deeds himself before
advising others to do it. Similarly, one should abstain from committing bad
deeds before asking others not to do bad deeds.
Our salvation lies in
exercising patience and perseverance and enjoining others to do the same.
Belief, performing virtuous deeds and advising others to do good deeds can only
be preserved by exercising patience. In practicing virtuous deeds, every
one meets with some difficulties which need patience. Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “Verily, Sabr is to faith as the head
is to the body. Without head body will perish and so also if Sabr goes faith also
goes.” The Imam (a.s.) further said: “When the believer enters the grave, salat
is on his right side, Zakat on his left side; virtue faces him, with Sabr
taking him into its shelter. When the
two angels enter the grave for questioning, Sabr says to salat, zakat and
virtue: “Take care of your companion, and if you fail to assist him, I will
take care of him myself.”
Time is the essence
of our lives. The Gate Way of
Knowledge, Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “Man’s every breath brings him one step nearer
to his death.” He (a.s.) further said: “Price of your life is Jannah, lest you
may sell yourself for anything inferior
than Jannah.” Normally people spent their life in pursuit of
wealth, or status or short-living baser desires. The real price of time of
our life is the pleasure of Allah and His nearness. Allah is Merciful and rewards the virtues performed by His slaves ten
times or even seventy times.
Reference:
The Noble Qur’an
Nahjul
Balagha by Commander of the Faithful (Imam Ali) (a.s.)
Usul
al-Kafi by
Allama Muhammad Baqir Majlisi (r.a.)
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