Surah Al-Asr, also known as Surah Wal-Asr is considered a Makkan surah by the majority of scholars. It was revealed after Surah Al-Inshirah and before Surah Al-Adiyat, making it the 13th surah in the order of revelation.
Some scholars, however, have argued that it is a Madinan surah, but the more reliable opinion is the first one, as it has been narrated from Ibn Abbaas, Ibn Al-Zubayr, and others. The surah consists of three verses.
This surah explains who are the people of loss and who are the people of success.
Al-Imam Al-Aalusi commented that, despite its brevity, the surah contains vast knowledge. It has been reported that Imam Ash-Shaafi'i said:
لو لم ينزل من القرآن غير هذه السورة لكفت الناس، لأنها شملت جميع علوم القرآن.
"If nothing else from the Qur'an had been revealed besides this surah, it would have sufficed the people, because it encompasses all the sciences of the Qur'an."
Al-Imam At-Tabarani (in Al-Awsat) and Al-Bayhaqi (in Shu'ab Al-Imaan) narrated from Abu Hudhayfah—one of the Companions of the Prophet Peace Upon him that:
"Whenever two Companions of the Prophet Peace Upon him met, they would not part until one of them recited Surah Al-Asr to the other, and then they would exchange greetings of peace."
This indicates the great significance of this surah in the lives of the early Muslims.
Scholars have differed regarding the meaning of "Al-Asr" in this surah:
1. Al-Asr refers to time (الدهر):
This is the opinion of Ibn Abbaas and others.
Time contains profound lessons and clear signs of Allah’s power, as people witness and experience various changes wealthy individuals becoming poor, the strong becoming weak, and the joyful becoming sorrowful.
A poet once said: ...
"Time has turned the young gray and consumed the old...
With each passing morning and evening."
Al-Imam Al-Qurtubi states that Al-Asr means Ad-Dahr (time) and that Allah swore by it to highlight how circumstances continuously change.
2. Al-Asr refers to the time of Asr prayer:
This interpretation is supported by the verse:
"Guard strictly your prayers, especially the middle prayer" (2:238),
Many scholars interpret "the middle prayer" as Salat Al-Asr.
The Prophet Peace Upon him also said:
"Whoever misses the Asr prayer, it is as if he has lost his family and wealth."
Asr prayer is performed at a time when people are busy with their trades and businesses, making it a more challenging obligation, which adds to its significance.
3. Al-Asr refers to the era of the Prophet Muhammad Peace Upon him:
Some scholars believe that Al-Asr refers to the era of the Prophet Peace Upon him because of its virtue and superiority over previous times.
Imam Ibn Jarir At-Tabari preferred the first interpretation, stating:
"The correct opinion is that Allah swore by Al-Asr, meaning time itself, which includes the evening, night, and day."
Conclusion:
Regardless of which interpretation is preferred, the message of the surah remains powerful: all of humanity is in loss except those who have faith, perform righteous deeds.
