Those Who Valued Time (2/2)

Before death strikes, we need to value our life. We need to resolve, from today, that, insha'Allah, we will no longer waste our time, not even a second in futile acts; and that we will invest every second in doing beneficial actions. May Allah accept our intentions and grant us great blessings in them.

In order to give a practical form to this resolution, hereunder are a number of beneficial points of guidance that are tried and tested and derived from the teachings of our pious predecessors. We should try to note them in our minds and implement them in our lives.

1. Organise Our Time

The first point is to organise our time. Our pious predecessors were very particular about scheduling their time effectively, for it prevents time being wasted. Therefore, we should make a programme for the whole day and night in the form of a timetable and adhere strictly to it. At any particular time, do only what you have assigned for that time, and do not delay anything from its appointed time.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri says, 'Beware of taswif (procrastination).' Do not put anything off until tomorrow, for 'tomorrow' is simply a deception and a diversion. Procrastination is the biggest cause of people's neglect and failure. So make a habit of completing every task at its appointed time. In fact, strive for the enthusiasm to do tomorrow's task today and today's task now!

In connection with organising one's time, I should also add that when you are confronted by two or more tasks, do the one that is most necessary and that promises the most beneficial outcome.

2. Abstain from Futile Activities

The second point is to abstain from futile activities and pointless talk. When we spend time in some mubah (permissible), non-beneficial activity, we argue that it is mubah and therefore harmless. Such thinking is flawed. A great loss actually occurs in that an extremely valuable asset is spent in an activity that has no benefit.

Before doing anything, we have a habit of asking ourselves whether it will bring any loss to our worldly life or our life in the hereafter. If the answer is no, we feel there is no harm in doing it, even though it may not be beneficial. This way of thinking is wrong. Before doing anything we should ask ourselves if it will be beneficial for our worldly life and our life in the hereafter. If the answer is no, we should stay away from it, for though the action itself is not harmful, but to spend a portion of life in an activity that is of no use in this world or the hereafter is in fact a loss. No one would spend money on something that brings no benefit. When spending money on something, people do not think about its possible harms; rather, they think about whether it will be of benefit or not. If it does not offer any benefit, people will not spend money on it.

From this we also understand that if we have to save ourselves from things that do not benefit us, how can there be any justification for spending time on things that are harmful in the world or the hereafter? Today, our youth are destroying their prospects for the hereafter and their worldly lives, through indulging in TV, internet, cinema-going and in reading indecent literature.

Sin and disobedience to Allah §6 bring harm in both worlds, so save yourselves from them. There is nothing worse than disobedience to Allah when it comes to wasting time. May Allah protect us. Amin.

3. Unnecessary Gatherings

You should save yourselves from spending time in unnecessary gatherings, as the more you mix with people, the more time will be wasted in futile talk. Nowadays, we not only engage in useless, futile talk in our gatherings, we also indulge in major sins such as backbiting and slander. During weddings or while visiting the bereaved or the sick, people assemble for hours on end and waste time in unprofitable talk. Therefore, abstain from spending time in unnecessary gatherings and mixing with people.

4. Safeguarding the Tongue

Do not speak without necessity; when you have to speak control your tongue and think before you speak. Be brief in your speech and weigh your words before speaking. The tongue indulges the most in futility. Abstaining from mixing with people and engaging in dhikr will help in safeguarding the tongue.

5. Muhasabah (Self-Reckoning)

Fix a time daily and do muhasabah of the past twenty-four hours, so you know how your time is being spent; through this you will realise how much is being lost, and how much is being gained. If time has been spent in good activities, thank Allah and ask for the ability to do more. If it has been spent in wrong avenues, repent and make a firm resolution to keep away from such things in the future.

Insha'Allah, implementing these strategies will prevent time being wasted.

Final Advice

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that it is vital that we refrain from wasting our time in fruitless pursuits. Rather than engaging in useless talk and excessive socialising, we should invest the moments of our precious life in acquiring the pleasure of Allah. Our time should be spent in worship, in developing our knowledge and in providing benefit to the society and community in which we live; no second of our life should be squandered in acts of sin or futility.

"Upon each breath, remember Allah, and fill your heart with nur (light). Be His, as long as you live; and be His, when you depart (from this world)."

May Allah grant us all the tawfiq and may He make us amongst those who truly value and benefit from the priceless gift of time. Ameen.