nor the poor, nor the freeborn, nor the enslaved, nor the males nor the females. The definite article al- in al-insān conveys totality: every child of Adam is in loss—that is, in ruin and destruction—if they squander this precious time and expend it in disobedience to Allah or in whatever harms them.

This very time, which many people count as cheap, drags on for them; they grow bored and say, “We want to kill time.” They bring in amusements, travel abroad to while away their holidays, or spend the hours laughing and joking just to make the time pass. Those who cut it up and waste it will find it nothing but loss and regret on the Day of Resurrection, whereas it would have been the source of their happiness had they guarded it.

Thus all the descendants of Adam are in loss and perdition except those distinguished by four qualities: knowledge, righteous action, calling others to Allah, and patience in the face of harm. Whoever is adorned with these four traits is saved from that loss.

Faith in Allah is impossible without knowledge—that is, without knowing Allah.

“And did righteous deeds”: meaning they performed righteous works, both obligatory and recommended, and invested their time in righteous action in ways that