How Should Time Be Spent

To read the previous part: Time Management

By Dr Ahmed Adam

[By (the token of) time (through the ages), most surely humans are in loss, except those who believe and do good, and enjoin on each other truth, and enjoin on each other patience.] (Al-`Asr 103 1-3)

 Allah Almighty cautions us that we are at loss, unless we prioritize our lives on the important things that will help us in this world and in the hereafter. If we do not, then we will find that time is against us. Even though we are aware that “one day” we will all have to die, the average person assumes, incorrectly, that death is far away. We get so involved in our day-to-day activities, that we do not spend as much time as we should, pondering on the Day of Judgment. If we did know the date and time of our death, we would certainly behave differently. However, this information is kept hidden from us so that it forms a part of our test in this world.

[Nay! Nay! You shall soon know. Nay! If you had known with a certain knowledge, you should most certainly have seen Hell.] (At-Takathur 102:4-5)

Allah Almighty warns us,

[Nay! But you love the present life] (Al-Qiyamah 75:20)

[The near event draws nigh] (An-Najm 53:57)

[And will you laugh and not weep? While you are indulging in vanities?] (An-Najm 53:60–61)

[ The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things), until you come to the graves] (At-Takathur 102:1–2)

Allah Almighty, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful, has given all of us sufficient time. If we feel we do not have sufficient time, the fault is ours — we are spending too much of our time on “nice,” but unimportant matters. The frivolous activities are pleasurable and become a habit; they form an integral part of our life. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) warned us against abusing time:

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Allah said, ‘The son of Adam hurts Me by abusing Time, for I am Time; in My Hands are all things and I cause the revolution of night and day.'”(Al-Bukhari 9:93 #583)

To read the next part: Time : A Blessing from Allah Almighty