Sūrat al-‘Asr

Sūrah No. 103. Revealed in Makkah, 3 verses. According to scholars this small Sūrah encapsulates the message of the Quran. It conveys what is required for the ultimate happiness of the human being.

Merits of reciting the Sūrah

Imam Ja‘far al-Sādiq (a) has said: Whoever recites al-‘Asr in the nawāfil prayers, Allah will raise him on the Day of Judgment with an illuminated face, laughing and delighted, until he enters Heaven.

Note: This reward will be for those who take heed of the message and implement it in their lives.

General synopsis of contents

1) Oath for the truth of the message to come (v. 1)

2) A warning that the human being is in a loss (v. 2)

3) The exceptions (v. 3)

Selected Lessons

1) Time is a precious commodity for the human being.

2) Most people get distracted and use time in ways that do not produce lasting results.

3) The only people who successfully use time are those who believe and do good and help one another in the journey towards Allah.

Suggested verses for reflection and memorization.

The complete Sūrah should be memorized.

Activities for self-study

When death comes many people will ask for more time, to have another chance to live more virtuously. For a description of the regret of not using time properly see 23:99-100 and 63:10-11.