Time is a neglected treasure and it is a lost wealth … Most people are unaware of the importance of time for their lives and their end, and here are some creative tips to utilize time in the best possible way in the light of the Quran and Sunnah …
As we have said and we always say: time is a treasure in your hands and either you use this treasure for more happiness and success, or you remain unaware of it and thus you lose a lot of things … The Holy Quran has introduced the best method to manage time. It is enough to know that all the time of a believer is occupied by useful work, and there is no free time and here the greatness and wonders of the Qur’an are reflected.
What more verses that encourage the believer to use his time and warn him of proximity of his end, consider with me this scene which the Quran has portrayed. Any of us will encounter it, that is, the moment of death:
“(In Falsehood will they be) Until, when death comes to one of them, he says: “O my Lord! send me back (to life),- 100. “In order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected.” -“By no means! It is but a word he says.”- Before them is a Partition till the Day they are raised up”. [Al-Muminun: The Believers: 99-100]
The situation is difficult and hard, and you will not get an additional second after the moment of death. This is what makes the believer fully occupied. … He has no time to waste, and he has no free time “to kill” and he does not have depression, obsession or worries. Nonetheless, he is occupied in obedience to his Creator, in order to please and know Him.
And now, my lovers here are some practical steps to manage time successfully. Of course these steps are derived from the Quran and the Sunna. Preferably, if you, my dear reader, start from this moment remediation of what you missed, you should apply these steps. Your method in applying should be based on your trust in Allah. Almighty said, “It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee: so pass over (Their faults), and ask for ((Allah)’s) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then, when thou hast Taken a decision put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)” [Al-Imran: The Family of Imran: 159]
Practical steps for managing time
- The most important step you should do is to consider that your lifespan in this world is limited and very short. You should take advantage of every second, minute for one ultimate goal which is the satisfaction of Allah. All your deeds, words and mind will be seeking the pleasure of Allah. It will not help much if any work is not directed to Allah. The splendid example in this step is given to us by the master of mankind, Muhammad (pbuh), who has devoted all his time to Allah. The evidence for that is that he did not get angry unless one of the sanctity of Allah had been violated, which was an anger for Allah and for Allah’s satisfaction. If we meditate on the words and deeds of the Prophet (pbuh), we will find them all to Allah Almighty. Therefore, the believer who follows the guidance of the Prophet, he will be rewarded, even if he errs!! The evidence is that the Prophet told us that when the believer strives to accomplish a work or an issue and he errs, so he will have a reward, but if he succeeds, he will gain double reward!
- But how do I know that my deed is for the sake of Allah! Especially, since everyone says they are working towards the sake of Allah. However, their actions do not show that at all. I will give you an example to clarify this complex issue. When I visited a number of sites for preachers, authors and writers in Islamic countries, I found a large number of them put the words “Copyright” and some of them emphasized this expression by adding the following words: may not be copied or published or …. In any visible, audible or written way…
Some of them exaggerate in depriving themselves from reward by writing: Copying, printing and publication of this article is prohibited … The strangest thing I have ever seen was someone writing on the CD-ROM: copying of this disc is a theft, Allah will charge you for on the Day of Resurrection … They argue that this work cost them huge amounts of money if they allow copying, they will lose money!
I ask Allah for forgiveness of these words: Do you think that who deals with Allah loses? Is the great Creator who created the heavens and the earth, and who has sustained ants, birds and fish in the darkness of the sea unable, can this god fail to sustain a man publishing knowledge for the sake of Allah!! By Allah, if the publication of this knowledge was seeking the pleasure of one of the rich, the rich man would not miss this effort, would be openhanded and compensate him for what paid, but he might give it exponentially. This is the case of people who are poor compared to Almighty. So, how is the richest when approached by a believer who had spent everything to disseminate useful knowledge and to gain the satisfaction of Allah? Is Allah going to forfeiture him and Allah is the kindest??
I have followed a simple technique in my articles, which are a boon from Allah that these articles are for the sake of Allah, without placing the rights of publication. But, I invoke Allah for good for those who contribute to the publication of these articles, even if they did not mention the author or the site taken from. You know that this technology has made these articles spread; it makes me wonder about the large number of readers who read these articles! Did you know that my living has not decreased? The reason is very simple, which I deal with a kind but is the kindest, the best of Sustainers. Did you know that this technology made these articles spread in a way that I feel surprised to the number of the readers who read them! Did you know that my living has not decreased? The reason is very simple. I deal with a kind but is the kindest, the best of Sustainers.
The West did not outperform us unless it has respected time, kept accurately appointments, and exploited every moment in creativity, invention and development. Therefore, the issue of time management is very important for us as Muslims, for the development and advancement of our nation for the better. We do not wait for others to invent and create and then, we take their ready products without tiring or effort! Therefore, we are more deserving than them to invest our time and take advantage of their experience and studies results. However, we always take what is compatible with the Book of Allah because we take the world as a way into the afterlife. So, we had won the world and the Hereafter, if Allah wills.
- So O lovers, the third step is to have trust in Allah, Almighty, in His donation and in His ability. Everything you pay, do or publish seeking to please Allah will be compensated by Allah to you ten-fold to seven hundred times or more. Whoever comes with good will have ten-fold alike… and Allah will double to whom he wills. Almighty said and He is the best:”He that doeth good shall have ten times as much to his credit: He that doeth evil shall only be recompensed according to his evil: no wrong shall be done unto (any of) them.” [Al-An’am: Cattle, 160] Therefore, I request you beloved brother to do any work, especially worldly matters and to seek the pleasure of Allah. Nonetheless, any work that is not targeting the pleasure of Allah will fire back as sadness and regret over the doer.
I remind you of the first to fuel fire on the Day of Resurrection, perhaps you may be surprised that the first batch to enter fire of hell are a group of scholars and readers of the Quran!! What is their fault? A guilt that may be simple from our perspective but while for Allah it is great. They sought with their knowledge this world that was the cause of entering hell. This is the logic if a person works for not his master, he does not deserve to be paid. Therefore, the Prophet said to our master Abu Hurayrah, Did you know the first to fuel fire? A man learned science, read the Quran, he says, O Lord, I learned science, read the Quran for you, it is said: lied! You learned to be called scholar, and read the Quran to be called a reciter and it has been said … dragged on his face and thrown in hell…
Consider with me this black destiny, and this is why we warn of the danger to seek with your knowledge or deeds other than Allah. If you learn, let your knowledge for Allah, and let your deeds if you work are for Allah. If you spoke out so be seeking the pleasure of talking with Allah. If you think, let that be for Allah. .. If you love, let it be for Allah. If you hate, let your hatred be for Allah. If you become happy, angry, sad, contended with or accompanied by… all your work should be for Allah and His pleasure, fearing Him and feeling greed as the prophets of Almighty were. “So We listened to him: and We granted him Yahya: We cured his wife’s (Barrenness) for him. These (three) were ever quick in emulation in good works; they used to call on Us with love and reverence, and humble themselves before Us.” [Al-Anbiya: The Prophets: 90]
- If we look at the story of “Bill Gates,” the richest man in the world, what is the work done to deserve such vast sums of money. For god sake, he did not do more than of a very ordinary work, that is any simple worker if he doubled effort and energy as this man, he will get it. However, how did he obtain this wealth? That Allah wants to give us an example through this man that provision has nothing to do with effort, work and fatigue, but it is in the hands of Allah who gives to whom He pleases. He gives it to a believer to increase his reward, and he may give it to an atheist to be heartbreak for him on the Day of Resurrection.
Our master King Solomon had been given supreme authority that had not been given to anyone other after him. Our master Muhammad had been given knowledge, good manners, and humility that have not been given to one of the worlds. Allah, who gave these good worshipers, is able to give you as requested or even more. However, you are not the one to determine that, but Allah chooses the right time and the appropriate grant, why? Because He knows best what is in yourself, what is good for you and He is the best knower of your interest.
And finally, these quick tips that if applied, they will be to the benefit and good if Allah wills.
- No matter how you spend your time in the remembrance of Allah, it will not detract from the time anything.
- As that money is to Allah, as well as the time belongs to Allah who gives you the freedom to utilize it. See how to deal with this trust which Allah has placed on you, whether you forfeiture or reserve!
- Do not leave a day passes without learning something new and useful.
- Do not leave a day passes without doing useful work.
- Always look on the world as an inevitable temporary stage and it is only one hour, compared to the Day of Resurrection which will extend to fifty thousand years. You should arrange your affairs carefully during this time because you are going to eternal life: either Paradise or Hell. We ask Allah to be of those who responded to the command of their Lord in rushing with goodness, Allah says, “Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous,- 134. Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men;- for Allah loves those who do good;- 135. And those who, having done something to be ashamed of, or wronged their own souls, earnestly bring Allah to mind, and ask for forgiveness for their sins,- and who can forgive sins except Allah.- and are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in (the wrong) they have done. 136. For such the reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath,- an eternal dwelling: How excellent a recompense for those who work (and strive)! “ [Al’Imran: The Family of Imran: 133-136]
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By: Abduldaem Al-Kaheel
