Surah 103. Al-Asr Time - English Translation

The surah Al-‘Aṣr (“Time”) is a Meccan surah consisting of 3 verses, revealed early in the Prophet’s ﷺ mission in Mecca. Despite its brevity, it encapsulates the entire essence of faith, morality, and salvation in Islam.

According to Ibn Kathīr, this surah serves as a complete summary of the Islamic message. It was frequently recited by the Prophet’s companions ﷺ before parting ways, as a reminder to remain steadfast in truth and patience.

Main Teachings and Key Insights

Al-‘Aṣr distills the path to salvation and success into three concise verses, regarded among the most profound in the Qur’an. Its main teachings include:

• The Oath by Time: Allah swears by time, symbolizing life’s fleeting nature and the irreversible passage of deeds. (verse 1)
• Universal loss of humankind: all are in loss except those who follow the path of faith and righteousness. (verse 2)
• Four conditions for salvation: faith, righteous deeds, mutual encouragement toward truth, and perseverance. (verse 3)

The surah redefines true success not by wealth or status, but by living faith through good deeds and moral solidarity.

Structure and Main Themes

• Verse 1: Divine oath by time, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life and the urgency of action.
• Verse 2: Statement of mankind’s inevitable loss without faith and purpose.
• Verse 3: The four pillars of salvation: belief (īmān), righteous deeds (‘amal ṣāliḥ), truth (ḥaqq), and patience (ṣabr).

The tone is solemn and universal: it addresses all humanity, warning of life’s brevity and urging meaningful action before it’s too late.

Key Verse

The key verse of the surah is verse 3:

إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ

Except those who believe, do good deeds, encourage one another to truth, and encourage one another to patience.

Why is this verse key?

• It lays out the four essential conditions for salvation: faith, action, truth, and patience.
• It emphasizes the collective dimension of faith: salvation is achieved through shared moral commitment and mutual support.
• Imam Al-Shāfi‘ī said: “If Allah had revealed only this surah, it would have sufficed as guidance for mankind,” highlighting its comprehensive nature.

In essence, Al-‘Aṣr is a manifesto of active faith, teaching that salvation lies in sincere belief, virtuous action, and solidarity in truth and patience — an enduring reminder of humanity’s moral responsibility.