Al Qur’an: Suratul Asr (103) & Al Humazah (Q104) – SS2 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Suratul Asr (Chapter 103) and Surah Al-Humazah (Chapter 104) are two short Makkan chapters of the Quran. Suratul Asr gives four conditions for success: faith, good deeds, advising each other to truth and advising each other to patience. Al-Humazah warns against backbiting, mockery and obsession with wealth.

The Quran is the holy book of Islam. It has 114 chapters called Surahs. Each Surah teaches Muslims important lessons about life and faith. In this lesson, we will study two short but powerful Surahs. They were revealed in Makkah before the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) moved to Madinah. Even though they are short, they contain deep wisdom about how to live a good life and what behaviours to avoid.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• State the number of verses in Suratul Asr and Surah Al-Humazah and give the meaning of each name.
• Give the meaning of each verse of the two Surahs.
• Explain the four keys to success in Suratul Asr.
• Explain the main lessons of Surah Al-Humazah.
• Describe how Muslims can apply both Surahs in daily life.
• Compare the messages of the two Surahs.

Suratul Asr (Chapter 103)

Text and translation

Suratul Asr has only three verses:

1. “Wal-‘Asr” (By time)
2. “Innal-insāna lafī khusr” (Indeed, mankind is in loss)
3. “Illal-ladhīna āmanū wa ‘amilus-sālihāti wa tawāsaw bil-haqqi wa tawāsaw bis-sabr” (Except those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience)

What does the name “Asr” mean?

“Asr” has two main meanings:

1. Time or the passage of time
2. The late afternoon prayer (Salatul Asr)

Allah swears by time to show its importance and value in our lives.

Reasons for revelation

Scholars say this Surah was revealed to teach Muslims the real formula for success in life. It shows that most people waste their time and end up in loss. The Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) would not leave a gathering without reciting this Surah to remind each other of its message.

Main themes and lessons

1. The value of time

Allah swears by time, showing its great importance. Time is one of our most precious resources. Once time passes, we can never get it back. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “There are two blessings which many people waste: health and free time.”

2. The state of humanity

The second verse says that all humans are in a state of loss. This means that just living, working and collecting things without faith and good deeds leads to loss and emptiness. Many people spend their lives chasing money and fame but still feel empty.

3. The four keys to success

The third verse gives four conditions to escape loss and achieve true success:

1. Faith (Iman): Believing in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and destiny.
2. Good deeds (Amal Salih): Doing actions that please Allah, such as prayer, charity, honesty and kindness.
3. Advising each other to truth (Tawasaw bil-Haqq): Encouraging others to follow the truth, reminding them of their duties to Allah and other people.
4. Advising each other to patience (Tawasaw bis-Sabr): Reminding each other to be patient in worship, in avoiding sins, and in facing life’s challenges.

Special features of Suratul Asr

1. It is short but covers the complete formula for success in this life and the next.
2. Imam Shafi’i, a great scholar, said: “If people thought deeply about this Surah, it would be enough for them as guidance.”
3. The Surah shows that individual faith is not enough. Muslims must also help each other stay on the right path through mutual advice and support.
4. It emphasises that success requires both belief and action, not just one without the other.

Application of Suratul Asr in daily life

Muslims can apply Suratul Asr by:

• Valuing their time and using it wisely
• Strengthening their faith through prayer and reading the Quran
• Doing good deeds regularly, even if they are small
• Encouraging friends and family to do what is right
• Being patient when facing difficulties
• Building communities where people help each other become better

Surah Al-Humazah (Chapter 104)

Text and translation

Surah Al-Humazah has nine verses:

1. “Waylul-likulli humazatil-lumazah” (Woe to every scorner and mocker)
2. “Alladhī jama’a mālan wa ‘addadah” (Who collects wealth and counts it)
3. “Yahsabu anna mālahū akhladah” (He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal)
4. “Kallā layunbadhanna fil-hutamah” (No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher)
5. “Wa mā adrāka mal-hutamah” (And what can make you know what is the Crusher?)
6. “Nārul-lāhil-mūqadah” (It is the fire of Allah, [eternally] fuelled)
7. “Allatī tattali’u ‘alal-af’idah” (Which mounts directed at the hearts)
8. “Innahā ‘alayhim mu’sadah” (Indeed, it will be closed down upon them)
9. “Fī ‘amadin mumaddadah” (In extended columns)

What does the name “Al-Humazah” mean?

“Al-Humazah” refers to a person who backbites and insults others. The name comes from the first verse of the Surah, which condemns those who engage in such behaviour.

Reasons for revelation

Some scholars say this Surah was revealed about specific people in Makkah who used to mock the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers. Others say it refers to any person who has the bad qualities mentioned in the Surah: backbiting, excessive love of wealth, and making fun of others.

Main themes and lessons

1. Warning against backbiting and mockery

The Surah starts by warning those who backbite others (talk badly about them behind their backs) and mock people to their faces. These actions hurt others and create hatred in society. The Prophet (peace be upon him) defined backbiting as “mentioning something about your brother that he would dislike.”

2. Dangers of materialism

The Surah criticises people who are obsessed with collecting money and counting it. Islam allows wealth but condemns making it the main purpose of life. Real wealth is contentment, not having many possessions.

3. False security of wealth

Verse 3 points out that some people think their wealth will make them live forever or protect them from all problems. This is a false belief. Wealth cannot prevent death or guarantee happiness.

4. Consequences of bad actions

The Surah describes the punishment for those who persist in these bad behaviours. The fire of Hell (Al-Hutamah) is described as especially reaching the hearts, perhaps because the sins of backbiting and greed come from the heart.

Special features of Surah Al-Humazah

1. The powerful warning at the beginning with the word “Waylun” (Woe), which indicates severe punishment.
2. The vivid description of the punishment, showing how serious these sins are in Allah’s sight.
3. The focus on sins of the tongue (backbiting, mockery) and of the heart (greed, pride), which people sometimes take lightly.
4. The contrast with Suratul Asr: Suratul Asr describes the path to success, while Al-Humazah warns against the path to destruction.

Application of Surah Al-Humazah in daily life

Muslims can apply Surah Al-Humazah by:

• Guarding their tongues from speaking ill of others
• Not making fun of people or looking down on them
• Using wealth for good purposes and not becoming obsessed with it
• Remembering that all wealth belongs to Allah and is a test
• Being grateful for what they have instead of always wanting more
• Treating others with respect and kindness
• Remembering that worldly possessions are temporary

Every Muslim should try to memorise these short Surahs and, more importantly, practise their teachings in daily life.

Evaluation

1. How many verses are in Suratul Asr and in Surah Al-Humazah?
2. State the two meanings of “Asr”.
3. List the four conditions for success given in the third verse of Suratul Asr.
4. What did the Prophet (peace be upon him) say backbiting is?
5. Explain why the belief that wealth makes a person immortal is false.

Assignment

1. Write short notes on the four keys to success in Suratul Asr. For each one, give one way you will practise it in daily life.
2. Explain how Surah Al-Humazah differs from Suratul Asr in its message.