The Lesson from surah Al-Asr

 “By time, Indeed, mankind is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy” ( surah Al-Asr )

The chapter of Al-Asr is considered to be the second shortest chapters in the Holy Quran after the chapter of Al-Kauthar. While this surah only contains three versus ( ayaat ), its message is very vital not only for Muslim but also for all of humankind.

Thus, not surprisingly, when Imam Syafie said:-

“If one followed its counsel, it was enough for humankind to achieve success in life”

According to surah Al-Asr, Allah has sworn that all of humans are in loss, but there is an exemptions for those who have four characters as follows:-

1. Having the Faith in the oneness God.

2. Doing the righteous deeds

3. Mutual exhorting in of Truth

4. Mutual exhorting in of Patience

As for the first two, it is normal since many versus stress the importance of faith and the righteous acts, but as for the two last commands, it is quite rare as why Allah use the word of tawasul mean to join together in exhorting? In other words, both striving the truth and patience are the mutual action among Mukmin. 

Probably, a good lesson that might be learned from that word is no matter how great a person in term of his ability, knowledge, influence, he would not able to fight for the truth solely as he needs partners or group to help him. In other words, this effort ( fighting for the truth ) should not be exercised by individual or its result might be less effective. Meanwhile, every Mukmin is not always in the true path as sometimes he might do the wrong things. Thus, while he is consistent in telling the others about the right advice, he also need it as humans sometimes could not aware about their mistakes.

Like patience, as far as the person is human being, no matter how motivated or how strong he is, his life could not escape from distress, suffering and sadness that can be cured by strong encouragement, motivation, counseling from others. Thus, he also needs others who can advise him to be patient.
  

Face the fact, humans are a weak creation and could not sustain to fight for the truth and to be patient consistently and individually. Allah said:-

“And man is created weak” ( An-Nisa : 28 )