The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5)

The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5) — Page 541

Introduction CHAPTER 103 AL-'AŞR (Revealed before Hijrah) By general agreement, this Surah was revealed in the early years of the Call. Western orientalists, besides Muslim commentators of the Quran, assign it to the early Meccan period. The preceding Surah had dealt with man's passion for amassing wealth and worldly goods and its evil consequences. In the present Surah we are told that a purposeless life having no ideals to pursue goes to 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 great material resources and power, prestige and prosperity, disbelievers, especially the Christian nations of today, labour under the misconception that these things will never see decline or diminution. On the other hand, Muslims for their part, seem to have despaired of their future. The Surah relates particularly to the present time. It may, however, be taken also to relate to the Holy Prophet's own time since by is meant, his time. 3437