Importance of Surah al Asr 103

Surah number 103. Surah Al-Asr (The Time)

1) In it is highlighted the importance of time. Allah swears by the time which is dripping away or melting away from our lives.

2) Every human being is in a state of loss. Every human being even though no matter how much wealth or possessions he has is in a state of loss. He is a loser at this very minute. We may own the best of houses, have the best of bank balances, have the most beautiful wives, have the most beautiful children and many more possessions in this world but in the sight of our Creator, we are still losers. Unless if we fulfill the 4 criteria set out in verse 3, only then will we have any chance of not being losers in the sight of Allah.

3) Unless if he believes, does righteous deeds(fulfills prayers, fasting, hajj and all of the duties required by Allah) and invites or exhorts others to the truth and if he invites and exhorts others to patience. Notice that there is a 'wau' in this verse. In simple terms there is an 'and' in between these 4 criterian laid out by Allah. Hence we have to complete all 4 and not pick and choose what we feel easy and comfortable with. The Road to Jannah is not easy. There are hardships along the way but the best amongst us will be the person who tries his very best and attains taqwa and piety.

This Surah is very profound. 3 verses only but it took about 4-5 hours of tafseer on this Surah by Brother Nouman Ali Khan. 

In one hadith, Hazrat Umar RadhiAllahuanhu mentioned that if Allah had just revealed this Surah alone, it would have been sufficient for man to understand what Allah requires from us.