Al-Asr · 103:1-3
وَالْعَصْرِ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ
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.
Imam Al-Shafi'i said: 'If people reflected only on this surah, it would be sufficient for them.' Three verses contain the entire formula for a successful life. Time itself — the very substance our lives are made of — is brought as a witness against us. Every second we are losing, unless we hold four things: faith, righteous action, commitment to truth, and patience. Remove any one of the four and the formula breaks.
This is one of the shortest surahs in the Quran — just three verses. Yet scholars said its conciseness hides infinite depth. It was reportedly how the Companions would greet one another: they would not part without reciting Surah Al-Asr together.
Of the four conditions — faith, action, truth, patience — which one are you currently weakest in?
Memorize Surah Al-Asr today if you have not. Recite it with full meaning before every meeting.
“Three verses. Four conditions. The entire formula for a life that is not wasted.”
— Taqwa Daily