Theme and Subject-Matter:

This Surah is a matchless example of comprehensiveness and brevity. A whole world of meaning has been compressed into its few brief words, which are too vast in content to be fully expressed even in a book. The way to true success for mankind is clearly stated as is the way to ruin and destruction. Imam Shaf'e has said that if the people only comprehend this Surah well, it alone would suffice them as guidance. How important this Surah was in the sight of the companions can be judged from the tradition cited from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Hisn Ad-Darimi Abu Madinah, according to which, whenever any two of them met they would not part company until they had recited Surah Al-'Asr to each other. (This narration is taken from Tabarani).

Source: Malik Al-Qur'an Translation