Essence of the Holy Qur’an — Page 158
158 Chapter 103 Al-‘A s r : (Revealed before Hijrah) Date of Revelation and Context By general agreement the S u rah was revealed in the early years of the Call. Western writers, besides Muslim Commentators of the Qur’ a n, assign it to that period. The preceding S u rah had dealt with man’s strong passion for amassing wealth and worldly goods, and with its evil consequences. In the present S u rah we are told that a purposeless life, having no good ideals to pursue goes waste; and that material progress and prosperity cannot save a people if they do not possess faith and do not lead clean and pure lives. This is the unfailing testimony of Time. Drunk with their great material resources and power, prestige and prosperity, disbelievers, especially the Western Christian nations, labour under the misconception that these things will never see decline or diminution. On the other hand, Muslims seem to have despaired of their future. The S u rah relates particularly to the present time. It may, however, be taken to relate also to the Holy Prophet’s own time, since by Al-‘A s r is meant his time also.