Teachers Book Surah Al-Asr

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Asr SURAH 103: AL-ASR ‫سورة العص‬ The Declining Time Learning Outcomes: At the end of this Surah, the students will learn: The four main characters that can save us from regret in Hereafter: Belief, Do good deeds, Advising in following the truth, advise one another in patience. SURAH OVERVIEW Al- Surah al-ʿAṣr is a Meccan surah. The word “ʿAṣr” means the moving time. This surah comes after surah al-Takāthur and before surah al-Humazah. And this fact is not without any significance. Imam al-Shāfiʿī has notably said: “if Allah did not reveal other surahs and revealed this surah only, it, alone, suffices for the whole of mankind.” Surah al-ʿAṣr is about time and how it influences the human condition greatly. Time is irreversible. A time that has went away will not come back. How does this influence the human condition? A time not well spent is a time wasted. Humans, being naturally negligent as they are, tend to waste time unknowingly. Therefore, they are, by default, in the condition of great loss. However, there are four conditions only in which humans will find themselves saved from being in great loss, except for those (1) who have faith and (2) do righteous deeds and (3) advise one another to follow the truth and (4) advice one another to be patient in hardships.

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Asr TAFSIR CORNER 1. The Declining Day. “I swear by the declining day,” Allah swears by time. But not just any kind of time. It refers to the very nature of time itself. In Arabic, there are many words for time. “al-Zaman” refers to a limited period of time. “al-Dahr” refers to immeasurable time. “al-ʿAṣr”, on the other hand, refers to the irreversible nature of time. Furthermore, the irreversible nature of time can be positive, and this is called a progress. However, when a time consumes everything, this is called a decline. It is by this meaning that Allah swears by. 2. The Loss of Man. “That man is in loss,” It is by this nature of time that man is in loss. This is because he has wasted his time doing the things that do not bring him any worldly benefits as well as the benefits of the afterlife. He spends his youth, his wealth, his health, his free time, and his life recklessly. 3. Those Who Are Not in Loss. “Except for those who have faith and do righteous deeds and advise one another to follow the truth and advise one another to be patient in adversity.” However, man can escape from this misfortune. This is by having faith in Allah. He then does good deeds. Furthermore, he advises others to be steadfast on affirming and manifesting truth. And he advises others to be patient in the hardships of conveying the truth. SUMMARY Allah has outlined four conditions for mankind so that he can be among those who are not in loss. Man is by nature a good being. However, because he lives in a material body, he tends towards material misgivings. His bodily desires and wishes urge him to do things excessively, which in turn become bad things – because everything that is done in excess is a bad thing. Those who obey this bad nature are those who are in loss. However, man can save himself from this default condition. He, firstly, must have faith. He must believe in Allah. It is because only believing in truth will let him have the initial step of getting out of the condition, for how can one save himself if he still believes in error? Secondly, he must do righteous deeds. Why? Because righteous deeds are manifestations of this correct belief. To believe in truth is to act it out. Thirdly, he must call others towards this truth. Therefore, he must advise others about this truth. Similarly, he must be prepared to be advised about this truth. Then, he must be patient in conveying this truth.

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Asr LESSON 1: DIFFERENT TIMES, DIFFERENT NAMES Introduction: In surah al-ʿAṣr, we will learn about the different concepts of time. And progressively we will look into the one concept that is referred to in this surah, which is the irreversible flowing time. Lesson 1 introduces this. Set Induction: Do you know the word for time in different languages? Did you know, in Arabic, there are many words to refer to time? There are dahr, zamān, ʿaṣr, waqt, ḥīn, and many others. All of them mean time, but mean differently. Let us take a look at the meaning of one of them, which is al-ʿaṣr. Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to differentiate between different concepts of time correctly. Materials: 1. A marker pen 2. A whiteboard Procedure: 1. Draw a long horizontal line on a whiteboard. Then, draw two arrows at both ends of the line that are directed to the right. 2. Put intervals on the line and mark it 1000 years, 2000 years, 3000 years, etc. 3. Then, introduce the concepts one by one. 4. First, ask the students to imagine a time that has no beginning and end (draw the line from both ends of the whiteboard). This is dahr. 5. Next, imagine a certain period taken from that long line, say, from 1000 years to 2000 years. This limited period of time is call zamān. 6. Then, imagine a certain point of time in that zamān. Say, the year 1500 and around it, i.e., 1450-1550. This is call ḥīn. 7. And then in that certain point of time, imagine the moment of the now. This is the waqt. 8. And if we notice, time always moves from the past to the now and then to the future. It never moves backward. And once it passes, there will never be a second chance. And this movement of time is called the ʿAṣr. Lessons: 1. Time does not stand still. The Arab proverb states, “Time is like a sword. If you do not know how to control it, it will cut you”. 2. And because of this movement of time, and because people do not know how to control it, therefore most people are already in loss. Lesson Assessment: 1. How do you differentiate between the concept introduced?

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Asr LESSON 2: TIME AS ENTROPY Introduction: Lesson 2, we will look into the most relevant meaning of al-ʿAṣr, which is “to squeeze”. Based on this concept of time, we will learn about the concept of entropy. It is the irreversible effect of time where things will always degenerate. Set Induction: Previously, we have looked into the movement of time. But what about it? What are the effects of time on us? If we don’t benefit from time maximally, what loss will we face? Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to create an example for the workings of time as entropy in the real world. Materials: 1. Coffee powder (or anything soluble) 2. Creamer milk 3. Hot water 4. Sugar 5. Spoon Alternatively, 1. A bread 2. Water Procedure: 1. Make a coffee using the ingredients provided. 2. While the ingredients are dissolving, ask the students about the possibility of the ingredients being separated again from each other. Can the ingredients be separated from each other? 3. Or, spray the bread with water. And leave it for some days. Mould will grow. And ask the students about the possibility of the bread becoming fresh again. 4. Invite the students to reflect on the answer. Lessons: 1. Time is measured by the rate of changes that occur around us. 2. Rain that falls cannot go up back to the clouds unless in the form of vapour, folded clothes that are messed up will not suddenly tidy itself up, a thrown ball will not suddenly come back to the thrower’s hand, spoiled food will not suddenly become fresh again, and many other examples. 3. And ultimately, a life spent will not be repeated again in this world. Everyone will move forward either we like it or not. (Al-Inshiqaq: 19). 4. And all of us will surely die, and will surely be resurrected again, and will surely be judged, and finally will surely go to either hell or heaven. Lesson Assessment: 1. In your daily life, what is the situation that can be related with time as entropy?

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Asr LESSON 3: LENDING A HAND TO TIME Introduction: Here, we will learn about how to read time as a means to perceive the movement of time. Set Induction: We have been stressing from the start that time is moving. But how do we know it is moving? How can we read time? To read time, humans have created the clock. Let us learn how to read the clock. Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to develop the sense of time through time reading skills. Materials: 1. A marker pen 2. A drawable floor (Or any surface that is large enough to fit at least two students) Procedure: 1. Draw the frame of an analogue clock on the floor. 2. Write down all of the dial numbers of a clock (from 1 to 12). 3. Divide the students into two groups. 4. One group will be the hour hand, and the other will be the minute hand. However, in each turn, these two groups will alternate roles with each other. 5. In one turn, group A represents the hour hand. In the next turn, the same group will be the minute hand. 6. The game is a competition. Whichever group succeeds in answering the question according to its role first will be merited with a mark. 7. And in each turn, the questions increase gradually in difficulty. 8. If a group is unable to answer a question, then 1 mark will be deducted from the group. The same rule applies if both groups got the answer wrong. 9. To answer, one person from each group has to enter the dial and sit on the right position. For example, when the teacher says 12.30, the hour group sits on the number 12, and the minute group sits on the number 6. 10. In the next turn, both groups change roles: hour to minute, and minute to hour. 11. At the end of the game, the group with most marks win. Lessons: 1. Learn how to read clock. Lesson Assessment: 1. When do you perform Zuhr prayer? 2. Can we perform Subh Prayer during afternoon?

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Asr LESSON 4: SHARING GOODNESS Set Induction: In the previous verses we have learned that all of the things that Allah has mentioned boil down to man’s default state of loss. And that we should do good things as a means to get ourselves out of this miserable state. But can we do it alone? Let us find out. Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to synthesize the concept of moving time, default loss and the doing good deeds with the importance of collaborating (tawāṣaw) with others in truth and in patience. Materials: 1. Paper towel (toilet tissue) 2. Red watercolours 3. A pencil 4. Water 5. A transparent glass Procedure: 1. Draw some heart shapes on a paper towel using a pencil. 2. Colour one of the shapes using a red marker pen. 3. Pour some water into a transparent glass. 4. Hang the paper towel at the mouth of the glass with the red coloured heart shape dipped into the water. 5. Observe what happens. Lessons: 1. The red colour will spread from the coloured heart shape outwardly to other colourless shapes. 2. The hearts resemble the people who are in loss. 3. The coloured one resembles a person with goodness. 4. Goodness is only enjoyed by everyone if we share it. And this is done only if we remind each other about truth and patience. 5. Furthermore, we cannot be really perseverant in truth and in patience if we do not have the help of others.

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Asr LESSON 5: THE JUICE OF TIME Introduction: we are going to explore the effects of entropy, which is in turn the effect of time. In verse 2, Allah says that man is in an utter loss. Therefore, being at loss is the effect of time if it is not being benefitted from. Thus, this activity explores the concept of loss. Set Induction: One of the meanings of al-ʿAṣr is “to squeeze”. Can you imagine anything that is related to things that are squeezed? That’s right! Juices are made by squeezing fruits. Similarly, time is like juice. It has a limited amount. And once squeezed, it can never go back. Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to describe one of the most basic meanings of the name of the surah. Materials: 1. Different fruits 2. Lemon squeezer 3. A glass Procedure: 1. Make juices with the fruits provided. Lessons: 1. One of the meanings of the word ʿAṣr is “to squeeze”. 2. Time is like fruit juice, when it is squeezed, it can no longer be put back into the fruit. 3. And a fruit that is already squeezed is a fruit done for. Lesson Assessment: Formative: 1. Do you ever make a juice? Or squeeze an orange? 2. Is it possible the water you squeeze can going back into the fruits after you squeeze? Summative: 3. Based on the activity we did, what can you relate between fruits and time?

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Asr LESSON 6: BURNING TIME Introduction: This lesson enters verse 3, whereby the four conditions of being exempted from the loss are explored: having faith, doing good, helping each other in truth and patience. The first two conditions are having faith and doing good deeds. These conditions will be explored here. Set Induction: We have seen in the previous activity that time is a moving entity. Once lapsed, it cannot return. But in the previous activity, we have only observed the irreversibility of time. But what about the effects? Does irreversible time have good effects or bad ones? Let us take a look. Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to 1. Visualize the physical representation of the phrase “wasting time”. 2. Draw a conclusion from the activity of the nature of time moving time and its effects on the value of the human life. Materials: 1. Pencil 2. Lighter 3. Paper Procedure: 1. On a piece of paper, write down two unbeneficial things you did yesterday. 2. Go to an outdoor location to do this activity. 3. Place the paper on the ground. 4. Using the lighter, light one end of the paper. 5. Observe what happens. Lessons: 1. Time is like fire. It consumes everything. 2. Wasting time is like burning our precious life. It is brief. Therefore, we must make the most of our available time. Lesson Assessment: 1. Do you ever feel that you waste your time? 2. How do you feel when you spend your time to something that no benefit for you? 3. What do you get from the activity today?

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Asr LESSON 7: GOOD DEEDS Introduction: We explore the other two conditions, namely collaborating in truth and patience. Set Induction: When are at loss, what should we do? Certainly, we need to do something. But what is it? Of course, we need to correct and repair our condition. And this we do by doing good deeds. Let us explore this concept with the following activity. Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to 1. Explain about the concept of ʿamal ṣāliḥ. 2. Explain about the importance of overcoming the condition of loss. Materials: 1. Students 2. Their school bags Procedure: 1. Gather all the students’ bags. 2. Stack all of them one over another until it becomes tall. 3. There will come a point where the bags will be unstable and then fall. 4. At this point, ask the students about the condition. What just happened? And why it happened? What does it signify? 5. Then, ask them “What’s next? What to do?” 6. If their answer is to rebuild the bag tower, then the students have already got the point. 7. And let them build the tower of bags again. Lessons: 1. The bag signifies the accumulation of the effects of time. The further time moves, the more loss we accumulate. 2. And when the loss that we accumulate becomes too much, we will experience the consequences. In this activity, it is signified by the fall of the bags. 3. When the students realized that they have to rebuild the tower of bags again, it means that they have realized the concept of ʿamal ṣāliḥ. 4. One of the meanings of iṣlāḥ is “to correct”. When we say that we must do good things, it already implies that our condition is at a default loss. 5. To have to correct things implies that the initial condition of that something is not right. Therefore, we need to correct it. That is the condition of mankind when they do not do something. Lesson Assessment: 1. Based on what we learnt, what can you explain the concept of ‘amal salih? 2. Why is it important for us to overcome the condition of loss?

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Asr LESSON 8: BANDS OF PATIENCE Set Induction: Previously we have looked into the first two steps to release ourselves from being at loss. The first thing that we have to do is to have faith in Allah, and to have an awareness that we are in a condition of loss. Secondly, we need to correct our condition, get ourselves out from this condition. But is it easy? Of course not. So how do we survive through this struggle? Let us explore the next two steps. Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to 1. Explain the concept of elasticity correctly. 2. Relate the phenomenon of elasticity with the concept of patience and endurance. 3. Picture the visual representation of patience and endurance. Materials: 1. Rubber bands of different lengths Refer: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWAvmQZjdXk Procedure: 1. Take a short rubber band. Stretch it until it snaps. 2. Then, take a longer rubber band and do the same thing. 3. Observe which rubber band takes more time to snap.Next, do the same thing with other various combinations of rubber bands. And explore which combination is the strongest. Lessons: 1. Rubber bands can withhold stresses and stretches because they are made of molecules called polymer. These molecules attach to each other in a flexible manner. Although they are flexible, they can still maintain their original shape. 2. Different combinations of polymer result in different strength in elasticity. And different rubber bands represent different types of people. 3. Some people have more patience than others. Longer rubber bands represent more patient people, because it takes longer to snap. 4. In enduring the tests of life and in practicing our religion, we must be like the long rubber bands. But even if we have short rubber bands, different lengths of rubber bands should work with each other to achieve the greatest strength in withstanding the tests of life. Because we are stronger together. 5. This is because living this life is not easy. Therefore, we need to advise each other in truth and in patience. Lesson Assessment: 1. Where do rubber bands get their stretchy characteristic from? 2. How is the concept of rubber band related to truth and patience? 3. What will you do when you lose something or someone you love?