Surah Al-'Asr
Surah 103 · The Declining Day · 3 verses · meccan
Time — al-'Asr, the passing age, sworn by in the first verse.
The story
This surah is only three lines, but a great scholar said if people only understood this one, it would be enough. It says: everyone is losing — except people who believe, do good, tell each other the truth, and help each other be patient.
How it unfolds
AYAH 1
By time
The oath, on the passing age itself.
AYAH 2
In loss
The default state of every human being.
AYAH 3
Except four things
Belief, righteous deeds, mutual counsel to truth, mutual counsel to patience.
Verses to carry
- 103:2"Indeed, mankind is in loss." The starting position.
- 103:3The four-part exception — two of which require other people.
- 103:1"By time." Allah swearing by the thing that runs out.
Remember this
You cannot get to Paradise alone. You need friends who remind you.
Talk about it
Who is a friend who reminds you to do the right thing?