بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

وَالْعَصْرِ ﴿۱﴾ إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ ﴿۲﴾ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ ﴿۳﴾

﴾1﴿ Wal 'asr
﴾2﴿ Innal insaana lafee khusr
﴾3﴿ Illal lazeena aamanoo wa 'amilus saalihaati wa tawaasaw bilhaqqi wa tawaasaw bissabr

﴾1﴿ I swear by time
﴾2﴿ Indeed, mankind is certainly in loss
﴾3﴿ Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds, and have advised each other to truth, and have advised each other to patience

Surah Al-Asr

The Time

Relevancy: This surah differs from the previous one in several aspects. The first difference is that in the previous surah, there was a reproach for indulgence in worldly increase and heedlessness, while in this surah, the reproach is for its consequence, which is loss. The second difference is that in the previous surah, questioning was mentioned, whereas in this surah, after the questioning, two types of people are described: the losers and the successful ones.
Claim of this surah: It mentions the matters that differentiate between the losers and the successful ones.
Summary of the surah: By the oath of the evident proof, there is a reproach for loss, and four matters are mentioned for salvation. Two of them are for personal perfection: the first is theoretical knowledge (belief), and the second is practical strength (righteous action). The other two are for perfecting others: one is calling and teaching the truth, and the other is steadfastness and perseverance upon it.
Note: It is narrated from Imam Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) that if people were to reflect upon this surah, it would be sufficient for them.

interpretation

[1] This is an oath, and its purpose is to bear witness to the certainty of mankind’s loss. Regarding this, there are two well-known interpretations: The first interpretation is that "time" refers to the era in which various states and events concerning the prophets (peace be upon them) and their nations took place, including the punishment of the deniers and the salvation of the believers. The second interpretation is that it refers to the time of Asr (late afternoon), which is the final part of the day—a time when traders and laborers assess their profits and losses. This is also indicated in an authentic hadith, which states that the one who misses the Asr prayer is as if he has lost his family and wealth.
[2] This is the response to the oath. The term (الْإِنْسَانَ) refers to all of mankind, specifically pointing to the polytheists, disbelievers, sinners, and transgressors, who are in a state of loss. The word "loss" (خسران) refers to deficiency, destruction, and harm. Benefit: If the verses of the Noble Qur’an in which the root "خسران" (loss) is used are recited, it becomes clear what the causes of loss are. These have been mentioned in detail in our interpretation of the difficulties of Surah Al-Baqarah.
[3] From this exception, it becomes clear that whoever lacks any of these four qualities is in complete loss. Even if someone has faith but is entirely or partially devoid of the remaining qualities, they too are in a form of loss. These qualities define a complete believer because human perfection is achieved in two ways: Self-perfection, which consists of: Belief (عقیده), referred to as intellectual strength (قوت علمی). Righteous deeds (عمل صالح), referred to as practical strength (قوت عملی). The intended meaning of faith (ایمان) here is the Shari'ah-defined faith, as detailed in the Qur’an. Righteous deeds are those that conform to the Sunnah of the Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace), meaning they are free from all forms of innovation (بدعت) and disobedience (فسق). Perfecting others, which consists of: Calling to and teaching the truth, as well as purification, which is referred to in (وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ). Here, truth (حق) refers to the Qur'an, obedience to Allah the Exalted, following the Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and give him peace), detachment from the world, and encouragement toward the Hereafter. Instilling patience, which is referred to in (وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ).