Islamic Studies

ASSIGNMENT NO: 02
Instructor: Ma’am Asmat Shaheen Submitted by: Shahzad Ali

Q. Describe with reference to surah Al-Asr, the minimum and

unified criteria required for the divine success in the life of a
Muslim, in detail.

Introduction of surah Al-Asr: Surah al-Asr is the 103 surah of the holy Quran which have 3
verses. This surah was revealed in Makkah. It has been referred to as a matchless example of
comprehensiveness because it explains the three brief verses the way to success in life and to ruin.
Imam Ash Shafi said that if people considered this surah well it would be sufficient way for the guidance
of humanity.

Significance:
This surah has much importance. This is one of the greatest surahs of the Quran. In this Allah is telling
us that our time is short and limited and if we do not make the most of it we are surely the losers, verily,
Allah says, we are in loss. A number of a hadith speak about the high esteem in which the sahabah held
this surah. Accordingly whenever any two sahabi met they would not part company without reciting surah
Al-Asr.
The translation of surah Al-Asr is given:

“By Al-‘Asr (the time). Verily, man is [deep] in loss, except for those
who believe and do good deeds, urge one another to patience.”
Criteria for Divine Success:
This surah tells us that how to become a successful person. And this surah opens with admonitions to
humankind. Allah takes an oath by “Time” and declares that humankind in the state of loss. Every single
human being, man or woman, is in a state of loss except those who strive and do following four things.

1. To Believe or Faith (Iman)

2. To do virtuous deeds (aamal)
3. Recommend one another to truth (haq)
4. And to have Patience (sabr)

The meaning of Asr: The word asr means "decling day". In Arabic word meaning time, Dhar.
Dhar means time with no limits, placed upon it, while the Asr on the other hand means time that is
limited, time that will come to an end, it looks like it squeezes itself. Just after these moments a new day
gets its start with the call of maghrib.

Allah is also asking us to reflect on the passage of time. Another meaning that is given to word asr is the
declining of day, the time of the asr prayer, when the day is winding down coming to an end. Allah is
telling us that our time is short and limited and if we do not make the most of it we are surely the losers,
verily, Allah says, we are in loss.

Loss (Khasara) Means:

The Arabic for loss is khusr and it is the opposite of profit. In this context it could mean
that humankind will lose their main capital for the Hereafter if instead of using this life to gain by faith
and deeds they bargain it away with disbelief and sin.
We are in danger of losing something very special, and that is a blissful life in the Hereafter. However
before the great loss we will lose our closeness to Allah and thus our peace and tranquility in this life. A
loss of contentment can sometimes lead humankind to act treacherously, and to run headlong into trouble
and strife. But Allah is constantly warning us and here he is once more saying, wait, think and save
yourself. Save yourself by aiming to have four character traits:

1. To Believe or Faith:
Believing in Allah and their Prophet and their orders and rule is a key of success for human beings.
If you want to get success in your life than you have to believe in Allah in any situation of life
even in difficult time or in happy situation you have to believe in Allah and he (SWT) solved all
the problems and them happiness.
O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true.
Surat At-Tawbah 9:119

Following hadith is also about believe:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said, "Faith (Belief) consists of more than sixty branches (i.e. parts). And Haya (This term
"Haya" covers a large number of concepts which are to be taken together; amongst them are self respect,
modesty, bashfulness, and scruple, etc.) is a part of faith."

Believing is to trust on Allah in any condition and to act upon on their rules and regulations. Believing is
the main or virtual role required for the success of human life.

2. To do virtuous deeds:
The way in which we gain this certainty is by doing the actions that are pleasing to
Allah; we demonstrate our belief through our actions or righteous deeds.
Allah says in Holy Quran about righteous deeds: “Whoever works righteousness whether male or
female while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life
(in this world with respect, contentment, and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward
in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)” (Quran, 16:97)
It is also tha Our deeds must be performed in accordance to what is in Quran and the authentic Sunnah.
They should not be our whims and desires. The true sign of success is to obey Allah’s commandments
and to resist the desire to sin.
So for getting success in your life it is the minimum criteria for human life to do good deeds in the light
of HOLY QURAN.

3. Recommend one another to truth:

Allah is telling us to remind each other and encourage each other to
be faithful to the truth, and to let it stand out stand out clearly by striving for justice.
The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but
strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful.
Surat Al-Hujurat 49:15
Hadith about Truth:
‘Abdullah reported Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying: Truth leads one to Paradise and
virtue leads one to Paradise and the person tells the truth until he is recorded as truthful, and lie leads to
obscenity and obscenity leads to Hell, and the person tells a lie until he is recorded as a liar.

Sahih Muslim 2607, Book 45, Hadith 134

4. To recommend one another to have Patience (sabr):

A person who loves Almighty Allah finds it much easier to be
patient and to persevere. This is because he sees everything as coming from Allah, and if it comes from
Allah, there must be a reason for it. A person who loves wants the Beloved to see him in the best of states,
and so he proves the best of patience. Patience is a virtue, which enables the individual to proceed
towards worthy goals. In surah Al-Asr Allah (SWT) ordered us to do patience in hard time and in
problems Allah (SWT) give a big reward on patience and also give he a great ajar who spend their life
with patience therefore it is necessary for every human to spend his life with patience. It is the minimum
criteria for human being to get success in their lives.
Quranic Verse:
And Be Patient Over What Befalls You. [Quran 31:17]

Hadith about Patience:

Narrated Anas bin Malik: I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “Allah said, ‘If I deprive my slave of his two
beloved things (i.e., his eyes) and he remains patient, I will let him enter Paradise in compensation for
them.’”
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 70 Hadith 557