إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسْرٍ 2
Translations
Indeed, mankind is in loss,
Transliteration
Inna al-insana lafee khusrin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that humanity is in a state of loss (khusur), a foundational statement in Surah Al-'Asr that sets the premise for the surah's message. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this loss encompasses spiritual, moral, and worldly ruin for those who do not follow the path of faith and righteous action. The ayah serves as a universal proclamation applicable to all people, emphasizing the precarious spiritual condition of humanity without divine guidance and righteous deeds.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-'Asr is a Meccan surah that addresses the fundamental human condition in relation to time and mortality. This ayah is the opening statement of the surah, establishing that the passage of time (represented by 'al-'asr') leads to loss for all of humanity, setting up the subsequent ayahs which explain the exception to this rule—those who believe, do righteous deeds, call to truth, and exercise patience.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi), which relates to the righteous deeds mentioned as the remedy to this loss. Additionally, 'Time is like a sword; if you do not cut it, it cuts you' is attributed to various scholars and emphasizes the urgency conveyed by this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Every person exists in a state of spiritual loss unless they actively engage in faith, righteous action, and service to truth—time continuously passes and opportunities fade, making it essential to use our earthly existence purposefully. This ayah calls believers to urgent self-reflection and meaningful action, recognizing that neutrality and passivity inherently lead to spiritual ruin.