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Is it true that Imam Al-Shafi'i said: "Had this Surah been revealed—meaning Surat Al-Asr—it would have sufficed for the people," and what is its source?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Several narrations have been transmitted from Imam Al-Shafi’i, may Allah be pleased with him, all conveying the same meaning: "Had Allah not revealed any proof to His creation except Surat Al-Asr, it would have sufficed them." The surah begins with Allah swearing by 'Al-Asr,' meaning time, that mankind is in loss except for those who are characterized by faith, righteous deeds, enjoining the truth, and enjoining patience. Ibn Al-Qayyim says that the surah divides humanity into those who are in loss and those who are gainers. The gainer is one who advises himself with faith and righteous deeds, and advises creation by enjoining truth and patience. The surah includes two pieces of advice (the servant advising himself, and advising his brother), two perfections (perfecting oneself and perfecting one's brother), and the perfection of two strengths (the strength of knowledge and contemplation, which is perfected by faith; and the strength of will, love, and action, which is perfected by righteous deeds). The gainer is one who perfects his intellectual strength with faith, and his practical strength with righteous deeds, perseveres in that with patience, and commands others to these three.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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