The preacher of the Grand Mosque explains Surah Al-Asr and the importance of time
During his Friday sermon, the Imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Awad Al-Juhani, affirmed that the most beneficial and eloquent words are those of the Lord of the Worlds, who revealed the Quran as an explanation of all things and as guidance and mercy for the believers. He highlighted one of the shortest chapters of the Quran in terms of structure, yet one of the greatest in meaning: Surah Al-Asr (The Time). He described it as representing a complete Islamic methodology and outlining a comprehensive system for human life, encompassing within its pages the means to happiness and salvation in this world and the hereafter.
The oath by time and its profound implications
His Eminence explained that God Almighty swore by time in this chapter, which encompasses all of creation. God, Exalted is He, may swear by whatever He wills of His creation to magnify its importance and to remind His servants, but a created being is not permitted to swear by anything other than the Creator. He pointed out that time is the vessel of history in which human events unfold, witnessing the wonders and upheavals that humanity experiences. Time is the arena of action, the context in which prosperity and adversity, health and sickness, heedlessness and vigilance occur.
In discussing the importance of the pulpit from which the voice of truth resonates, the pulpit of the Grand Mosque in Mecca serves as a guiding beacon for Muslims worldwide. Its sermons address fundamental issues that touch the core of faith and the daily lives of Muslims. These sermons serve to remind people of the true nature of their existence amidst the accelerating pace of modern life and the immersion of many in distractions, thus giving this reminder paramount importance in re-evaluating the priorities of Muslims.
The Ice Seller's Story: A Lesson in Losing Capital
The preacher of the Grand Mosque cited a poignant story of one of the righteous predecessors, who said that he had recited Surah Al-Asr for twenty years but did not grasp its profound meaning until he heard an ice seller calling out in the market, "Have mercy on one whose capital is melting away." This simple phrase carried deep wisdom; just as ice melts and ceases to be frozen water, so too does a person's life diminish with every breath and every passing moment, and this is a clear loss if this time is not invested in obedience to God.
Dr. Al-Juhani added that time is a person's true capital in this world; every passing day brings them one step closer to the grave and one step further from this life. He emphasized that the sign of success and prosperity is prioritizing the eternal Hereafter over this fleeting world, and utilizing one's time in beneficial ways, while being preoccupied with worldly matters and forgetting the ultimate end is a sign of loss.
Characteristics of those who survive loss
His Eminence concluded the sermon by emphasizing the exception mentioned by God Almighty in the chapter for those saved from loss: those who combine faith with righteous deeds, and who enjoin one another to truth and patience. These are the friends of God, who have no fear nor do they grieve. They are secure when people are terrified, and at peace when creation is in turmoil, because they understood the value of time and filled it with good deeds, thus deserving a great reward from the Lord of the Worlds.
