☪️ Quran: Chapter 103 Al Asr – The Era سورة العصر

Revelation place: Mecca

Revelation order: 13

Number of verses: 3

The Holy Quran (Period 609-632 CE) can only be in Arabic.

· Texts in Red & Blue are Quranic Scripture Translation

· Texts Between (Brackets are Quranic Interpretation Notes by the Translator).

· Texts Between <Is the Arabic pronunciation of the Quran>.

· The Holy Quran is the only revealed by God book that exists today unchanged and

preserved in its original revealed language.

The Arabic Holy Quran revealed upon the prophet Mohamed (PBUH) during the years 609-632 CE is divided into 114 chapters, of which 86 chapters were revealed in Mecca, and 28 chapters revealed in The Madinah

Those revealed in Mecca deal primarily with the "Islamic Creed" including belief in Allah, the Omnipresent and Eternal, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Resurrection and Judgment Day, and the divine preordination of good and evil.

Those revealed in The Madinah deal mainly with moral principles, legislation, community development, and warfare.

Allah Knows Best

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Theme: The value of time, the human condition of loss, and the path to salvation through faith, good deeds, truth, and patience.

Subjects: Time · Human Nature · Faith · Righteous Deeds · Truth · Patience

Summary:Surah Al-‘Asr is one of the shortest yet most profound chapters in the Qur’an.

“By time, indeed, mankind is in loss except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.” (103:1–3)

Allah begins by swearing “By Time” (al-‘Asr), emphasizing its sacred value and relentless passing. Time is the canvas on which human life unfolds and also the witness against it.

Then comes a universal declaration:

“Indeed, mankind is in loss.” (103:2)

• Every human being is in a state of inevitable loss as time passes.

• Wealth, youth, status all are consumed by time.

• Without purpose and guidance, life ends empty-handed.

But Allah makes an exception  a clear path to escape this loss:

“Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.” (103:3)

This verse outlines the four pillars of salvation:

1. Faith (īmān)  the foundation of purpose and direction.

2. Righteous deeds  living out that faith through action.

3. Truth (ḥaqq) speaking and standing for what is right.

4. Patience (ṣabr) perseverance in the face of trials.

Imam al-Shāfiʿī famously said:

“If people reflected upon this surah alone, it would suffice them.”Because it encapsulates the entire message of the Qur’an in just a few words.

Key Embedded Themes:

• Time as a Witness: Life is short and passing every moment counts.

• Human Loss: Without faith and action, all effort is wasted.

• Four Pillars of Salvation: Faith, deeds, truth, and patience.

• Mutual Support: Righteousness thrives in community, not isolation.

• Moral Urgency: Live intentionally before time runs out.

Essence:Al-‘Asr is a surah of clarity and urgency. It reminds us that time is the greatest test and asset. Salvation is not through mere belief or ritual alone but through faithful living, truthfulness, and steadfastness. Every moment is either gain or loss.

I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the condemned.

With the name of Allah the gracious the merciful.

(Acknowledge and declare that Allah is the author of Quran)

1- By the Era.

(Always. Allah affirms by the time cycle, the eras, historical present and future periods)

2- Surely human is at loss.

(Look into the history, Humans in this life will always be in a state of loss, individually and collectively,

willingly they perish due to their actions, or unwillingly with age)

3- Except those who believed,

and do righteous deeds,

and willed by the truth

and willed in patience.

(Except who believed and willingly commanded, advised, and bequest by the truth

and persisted on it. Those will be in a state of gain in this life and or afterlife)

(Truth from Allah the mighty)

Disclaimer:

The Holy Quran can only be read in its original Arabic language. No translation or interpretation of the Holy Quran can be used as a replacement for the Arabic Holy Quran. I am not a scholar nor do I have any Islamic diplomas. I have tried to provide a Quran translation and contemplations that are faithful to the Quranic Arabic language using an empirical approach that is based on my readings of selected scholars’ interpretations, my personal experiences, and my understanding of The Holy Quran as a Muslim native Arabic speaker.