Surah 103 · 3 verses
Surah Asr in English: translation, transliteration and word-by-word meaning
The Declining Day · ٱلْعَصْر
Surah Al-Asr — also written Surah Asr — is the 103th surah of the Quran and has 3 verses. Every verse below shows the Arabic with tajweed colours, an English transliteration, a plain British English translation, and the meaning of each individual word. Press play to hear it recited, then read along.
Quick answers
- What does “Al-Asr” mean?
- The Declining Day.
- How many verses are in Surah Al-Asr?
- 3 verses (ayaat).
- Is it Makki or Madani?
- Makkan.
- How do I pronounce and recite Surah Al-Asr?
- Use the transliteration under each verse to get the syllables, then play the recitation and copy it phrase by phrase. The coloured letters show where to stretch (madd), hum (ghunnah) and bounce (qalqalah).
Three verses on the shortness of time and what saves a person from loss.
Verse 103:1
Wal-'asr
By the passing of time.
Word by word
- Wal-'asrوَٱلْعَصْرِ
By the passing of time
Verse 103:2
Innal-insaana lafee khusr
Mankind is surely in loss.
Word by word
- Innaإِنَّ
Indeed
- al-insaanaٱلْإِنسَٰنَ
mankind
- lafeeلَفِى
is surely in
- khusrخُسْرٍ
loss
Verse 103:3
Illal-lazeena aamanoo wa 'amilus-saalihaati wa tawaasaw bil-haqqi wa tawaasaw bis-sabr
Except those who believe, do righteous deeds, urge one another to truth and urge one another to patience.
Word by word
- Illaaإِلَّا
Except
- allazeenaٱلَّذِينَ
those who
- aamanooآمَنُوا
believe
- wa 'amilooوَعَمِلُوا
and do
- as-saalihaatiٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ
righteous deeds
- wa tawaasawوَتَوَاصَوْا
and urge one another
- bil-haqqiبِٱلْحَقِّ
to the truth
- wa tawaasawوَتَوَاصَوْا
and urge one another
- bis-sabrبِٱلصَّبْرِ
to patience
Other short surahs word by word
Want to read this yourself, not just follow along?
Quran Closer teaches reading from the first letter, at your own level, with tajweed colours, recitation practice and word-by-word meanings throughout.