![]() As pointed out earlier, faith and righteous deeds are related to man’s moral and spiritual growth and development. Let us now study the ‘four principles’ mentioned in the Surah. Whoever has ever abandoned them has suffered a great loss, as is evident from numerous events recorded by history. If one thinks on the causes of the rise and decline of individuals and nations, he would certainly believe that it is only these four acts (mentioned in the forthcoming verses) that may ensure the real success and betterment of mankind. ![]() That is why this verse has sworn an oath by the ‘time’ to indicate that it is a melting capital, and the only way to escape loss is to take every moment of his life as valuable, and use it for the four acts mentioned in the Surah.Īnother possible reason for swearing by ‘Time’ may be that the ‘Time’ (in the sense of history) bears testimony to the fact mentioned in the Surah. One of the old scholars said that he had learnt the meaning of this verse from an ice-seller whose trade required utmost diligence, and if he were neglectful for a moment, his entire capital would melt away. The man who invests it needs to be very wise, intelligent and agile, so that he is able to swiftly and readily reap the profit from a flowing capital. The capital is fluid or flowing all the time, every minute and every second. Under normal circumstances, his capital is not a frozen thing that may be kept for a while and used up later when the need arises. Since ‘Time’ is man’s capital of life, the man himself is the trader. The Qur’an itself has used the word tijarah in relation to ‘faith’ and ‘righteous deed’, thus: “When a person wakes up in the morning, he invests his soul or life in a business enterprise: some of the investors free or save the capital from loss and others destroy it.” This is the nature of life in this world the nature of continual loss. Man is like a person who possesses great capital and, without his permission and will, every day, a portion of that capital is taken away. Hours, days, months, and years of life pass quickly, spiritual and material potentialities decline, and abilities fade. Man will lose the capital of his existence. The first point we need to analyze here is the relationship between the ‘oath of time’ and ‘its subject’ because there needs to be a relationship between an ‘oath’ and its ‘subject’ The commentators, generally, state that all conditions of man, his growth and development, his movements, his actions and morality – all take place within the space of ‘Time’. ![]() Relationship between ‘Time’ and ‘Human Loss’ The first two of them relate to man’s own personal betterment, and the other two relate to other people’s guidance and reform. The Qur’anic prescription comprises, as we have just seen, of four elements. This is the only path to salvation in this world, as well as in the next world. In this Surah, Allah swears an oath by the ‘Time’ and says that mankind is in a state of loss exception, however, is made of people who are characterized by four qualities: faith righteous deeds advising each other for Truth and advising each other for patience. It is a concise but comprehensive Surah, which in three verses, outlines a complete way of human life based on the Islamic worldview. Imam Shafi` i (رح) says that if people thought about Surah Al-` Asr carefully, it would be enough for their guidance. Sayyidna ` Ubaidullah Ibn Hisn (رض) reports that whenever two Companions of the Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیه وآله وسلم) met, they would not part company until one of them had recited Surah Al-` Asr in its entirety to the other. except those who believed and did righteous deeds, and exhorted each other to follow truth, and exhorted each other to observe patience.With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful. Illal lazeena aamanoo wa ‘amilus saalihaati wa tawaasaw bilhaqqi wa tawaasaw bissabr.
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