The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5) — Page 543
PT. 30 AL-'AŞR destiny of man inevitably come to grief. It is such individuals and nations who are the losers in the race against time and it is to these that the word in the Surah refers. Divine laws cannot be defied with impunity and the Quran repeatedly draws pointed attention to the sad fate of those people who have the audacity to do so, in the words: "Have they not travelled in the earth and seen what was the end of those before them?" (40:22). Firm faith in eternal truths and the practical carrying out of them in our dealings in everyday life constitutes a sure guarantee for a happy, contented, prosperous and progressive life; and this is the meaning of the words "such as have faith and do righteous deeds. " Man cannot escape "loss" which is the purpose or object of his life without possessing true and real faith in Divinely-revealed truths and adjusting his conduct in harmony with them. Human reason without the assistance of a revealed guidance cannot be a safe guide. It is Divine guidance received through God's great Messengers that can lead safely to the desired goal. But a person, CH. 103 however, good and great, cannot bring about any real and permanent reformation single-handed unless the whole environment is changed, because man is strongly influenced by his environment. In this Surah and at several other places in the Quran, believers have been enjoined not only to adopt right and good principles and ideals themselves but to preach them to others and thus help in the creation of a healthy atmosphere around them. They are further enjoined not to be discouraged or dismayed by opposition and persecution they might have to face in the discharge of their very difficult task but to bear it with patience and fortitude. Thus the Surah, in one brief verse, has laid down the golden rules by observing which one can lead a successful and happy life. Taking the word mean the time of the Holy Prophet (Bukhārī) or taking it as applying to the latter days, the Surah emphatically declares that the disbelieving nations, with all their material resources and great power and prestige will suffer loss; only the righteous believers will achieve the noble goal they desire and pursue. to 3439