Explaining the Model of Human Salvation in the Light of Surah Al-Asr: A Qualitative Study Using an Inductive Approach

One of the most fundamental ontological questions concerning human existence is the final destiny of mankind and the means of attaining salvation. Surah Al-Asr, with its astonishing rhetorical brevity and unparalleled depth of meaning, presents a comprehensive framework of the human existential condition and the path to salvation within just three verses. The present study, aiming to extract the key concepts and underlying themes of this surah, employs a qualitative approach using inductive content analysis to examine the explicit content of the verses. After dividing the surah into semantic units and conducting initial coding, the extracted concepts were organized into thematic categories. Ultimately, four main themes were identified: awareness of time, warning about universal loss, individual salvation (through faith and righteous deeds), and collective salvation (through enjoining truth and patience). Based on the findings, Surah Al-Asr demonstrates a coherent and systematic conceptual and structural unity aimed at spiritual growth and social responsibility, portraying the progression from individual awareness to social action. This makes it a comprehensive model for educational, ethical, and epistemological studies within the realm of Islamic sciences. Furthermore, the surah views "loss" as the default state and "salvation" as the exception—granted only to those who combine inner faith, outward action, and active social engagement through enjoining truth and patience. These findings align with the interpretative views of many classical and contemporary Qur'anic exegetes.