Structural Cohesion In The Quran [A Series]: Surah Al-Asr

This is a continuation of a series on the structure and organization of the Quran. The goal is to help the reader appreciate the amazing coherence of Allah’s  word and dismantle the myth of the “random” and “unorganized” Quran.

سُورَة العَصر

Sūrat al-Asr

Sūrat al-Asr (Time Running Out) is one of the shortest suwar of the Quran, yet one of the densest in terms of meaning and guidance. The famous jurist, Imām Shāfi’ī, was recorded to have said that if the people only considered this sūrah, it alone would suffice them for their guidance.

In addition to its richness of content, it appears that the sūrah may be broken down and organized into a mirror structure:

Connections

[A]/[A’] – Allah ﷻ begins with an oath which inspires the believers with a sense of urgency. Time is running out! We do not have long to implement good works and internalize faith. This is paired with the believers enjoining one another with the traits most associated with time; patience and perseverance (ṣabr).¹This connection is more clearly seen in Sūrat al-Maʿārij (The Ways of Ascent) where Allah ﷻ says about the Day of Judgement, فَاصْبِرْ صَبْرًا جَمِيلًا * إِنَّهُمْ يَرَوْنَهُ بَعِيدًا * وَنَرَاهُ قَرِيبًا So be patient with gracious patience * Indeed, they see it [as] distant, * But We see it [as] nearby. Believers are being told that they only have to endure the intolerance and arrogance of disbelief for a brief time. This life is shorter than we think.

[B]/[B’] – One emphasizes their statements when the audience may not believe them, so it is appropriate that the second āyah of Surah al-Asr, which is grammatically emphasized on multiple levels (this is more easily seen in the Arabic), is paired with the enjoinment to advise one another with the Truth. If there was ever a reason to emphasize a point, it would be with regard to the ultimate Truth. 

[C]/[C’] – At the center lie two key attributes of the believers; belief and righteous actions. These two are paired together throughout the Quran to emphasize their important relationship. Good actions will not benefit us without proper belief. 

And Allah ﷻ knows best.

[If the study of the Quran’s structure interests you, please check out Heavenly Order for many more examples of the Quran’s amazing organization and coherence.]

Related:

– Structural Cohesion In The Quran: Heavenly Order

– Structural Cohesion In The Quran [A Series]: Surah Al Muzzammil