Revealed in Makkah, Surah Al-'Asr (The Declining Day) is one of the shortest yet most comprehensive chapters in the Quran, swearing by the passage of time. It declares that all of humanity is in a state of spiritual loss, except for those who fulfill four conditions: believe, perform righteous deeds, advise one another to truth, and advise one another to patience.
Transliteration
WaalAAasri
Translation
By time
God swears an oath by the relentless passage of Time—the declining day, history itself, and human lifespan—the ultimate finite capital every person possesses.
Transliteration
Inna alinsana lafee khusrin
Translation
The human being is in loss
Declares that every human being is by default suffering existential loss and spiritual deficit as seconds tick away.
Transliteration
Illa allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati watawasaw bialhaqqi watawasaw bialssabri
Translation
Except those who believe, and do good works, and encourage truth, and recommend patience
Outlines the four non-negotiable pillars of human salvation: faith, righteous deeds, social advocacy for truth, and mutual support in steadfast resilience.