Meccan, and its verses are 3. "Revealed after Ash-Sharh." 'In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.'

I swear by the prayer of Al-Asr for its virtue, as evidenced by His saying: "And the middle prayer is the prayer of Al-Asr," in the Mushaf of Hafsah. And his saying, blessings and peace be upon him: "Whoever misses the prayer of Al-Asr, it is as if he has lost his family and wealth." [Agreed upon from the narration of Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him.] This is because the obligation of performing it is more difficult due to people rushing in their trades and earnings at the end of the day, and being preoccupied with their livelihoods.

Or I swear by the evening as I swore by the morning, for both contain signs of power. Or I swear by time for the wonders that occur in its passage. And mankind: refers to the species. And loss: is loss, as it is said: disbelief in ingratitude. The meaning is that people are in loss regarding their trade except the righteous alone, for they have purchased the Hereafter with this world, so they have profited and succeeded. As for others, they have traded contrary to their trade, so they have fallen into loss and misery.

And they enjoin one another to the truth, to the established command that cannot be denied, which is all good: the oneness of Allah, obedience to Him, following His books and messengers, renouncing the world, and desiring the Hereafter.

And they enjoin one another to patience against sins and in obedience, and regarding what Allah tests His servants with.

From the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him: "Whoever recites the Surah Al-Asr, Allah forgives him and he is among those who enjoin one another to the truth and enjoin one another to patience." [Narrated by Al-Thalabi, Al-Wahidi, and Ibn Marduwaih with a chain to Abu Ibn Kab.]