16 Jun 2009

The importance of time

The importance of time is a significant element in Islaam because Islaam stresses not only on its importance but also how it should be managed. Our time in this life is to be used for the worshipping of Allah (SWT) by abiding his commands. Islaam does not recognise the foolish slogan such as “killing time” as it would imply that a person does not have the mentality of utilising his time in pleasing his Lord.

Time is not a commodity to be wasted but one should cease the opportunity to make a change in his/her life for the better. Within the periods of time it is likely that a person could either attain His pleasure or attain His anger.

“I have not created the Jinn and Mankind except that they should Worship Me..” 51: 56

Unfortunately in this day and age majority of the people are wasting their time with things that have no benefit by indulging in past time like excessive sports, watching movies etc without to ever consider that time in particularly free time is a blessing from Allah (SWT).

Abdullah ibn Abbaas narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

“There are 2 blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.”

Abu Haazim said in relation to doing the good deeds:
“The one who does good will appear before Allah (SWT) like the one who has been absent when he comes back to his family, but the evildoer is like the runaway slave when he returns to his master. Beware lest Allah (SWT) sees you where He has Forbidden you be and does not find you where He has commanded you to be.”

One continuously needs to be reminded that along with all the blessing that we have, time is only a test for us until the moment Death ceases us as Allah (SWT) will bring us to account.

“Blessed is He in whose Hand is the dominion; and He is able to do all things. Who has created death and life that He may test you which of you is the best in deed...”67: 1-2

Within the management of time lies the success of a believer as Allah (SWT) as long as his intention is to seek Allah (SWT)’s pleasure by performing the required tasks and abstaining from all things which he has prohibited.

It is imperative that we hold ourselves to account so that we do not become stagnant in our actions and we do not forget the accountability on the Day of Judgement.

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas’ood from the Messenger Muhammad that He said:

“A man shall be asked concerning five things on the Day of Judgement: concerning his life, how he spent it; concerning his youth, how he grew old; concerning his wealth, how he acquired it, and in what way he spent it; and what was it that he did with the knowledge that he had.”

Also the Messenger Muhammad (pbuh) mentions that he said:

“A servant of Allah (SWT) will remain standing on the Day of Judgement till he is questioned; about his age and how he spent it; about his knowledge and how he utilised it; about his wealth from where he acquired it and what he spent it; and about his body as to how he used it”


Life is short so let us invest it in the worship of Allah (SWT) and become successful. In order to attain the pleasure of Allah (SWT) we are required to learn so let us start by acquiring the beneficial knowledge as knowledge opens a window in to the lives of our pious predecessors and learn from their example.

“By time, verily man is in a state of loss, except those who belief, and do righteous deeds, enjoin each other in the truth and exhorting each other in remaining firm.” 103: 1-3

2 comments:

Bilal said...

Jazaak Allaahu khayr.

islamist said...

Wa Iyyakum