It is obvious, as we all know that every human will be spending time in their daily affairs. Hence, fortunate are those that wisely spend their time with good and righteous deeds, while unfortunate for those who have spent their time with useless and futile matters. The famous Arab proverb goes: “Time is like a sword, if you do not cut it, it will cut you.” These words truly manifest the importance of time in human lives. Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala is the creator of time and has set 24 hours or 1440 minutes in one full day (and night), no more no less. It is entirely up to us to manage and utilize our time in attaining blissfulness in this world and the Hereafter.
Nowadays, we find the vast majority of us are actually neglectful and heedless with regard to the passing of time or the time wasted in their lives. They actually live in vain and heedlessness. They are just like those admonished by Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala in al-Qur’an: “Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?” (al-Mu’minoon 23:115)
Therefore, time management in our daily lives is of utmost importance and it must be properly planned out so that our time could be managed and utilized wisely and effectively. Hence, in our daily lives, whether we realize it or not, we have actually set a daily schedule automatically where we unconsciously know the time to perform a certain act, such as working, resting, sleeping, eating, drinking, and others. We must remain cognizant to the fact our time is an amaanah from Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala, for each amaanah will be questioned by Him. Mu‘adh bin Jabal radiyAllaahu‘anh narrated that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “The two feet of Allah’s servant shall not move one inch on the Day of Judgment until that servant is asked about four qualifications (khisaal): (1) his life – how he spent it, (2) his youth – how he used it, (3) his wealth – where he earned it and how he spent it, (4) his knowledge – how he acted upon it.” (at-Tirmidhi also narrated with similar wording and graded it hasan saheeh)
In the effort to efficiently manage time in our daily lives, let us practice these three methods as our guideline:
1- Do not procrastinate in fulfilling the rights, amaanah, and responsibilities. Also, do not procrastinate in executing tasks entrusted upon us.
2- Do not delay in performing ‘ibaadah and implementing Shara‘ rulings (Islamic law).
3- Do not procrastinate and delay in spreading the message of Islam, and also in striving and defending Islam.
Indeed, time will pass by, leaving us, and never to return again. The time that has passed will leave two groups. The first group is the successful ones, for they truly value their time in their lives. The second group is those that are always in a state of loss, for allowing time to pass without being spent on righteous deeds and obedience to Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala. In this regard, let us reflect and internalize upon the Words of Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala in Surah al-‘Asr. This is the surah that we often recite upon concluding any sitting (majlis) or gathering, but unfortunately it only remain upon the lips, let alone its actual internalization and practice in the daily life. “By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.” (al-‘Asr 103:1-3)
This surah explains to us that the vast majority of mankind actually live in a state of loss for not utilizing their time in this worldly life in the best manner. This surah also describe those that are not properly utilizing their time in the obedience to Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala and His Messenger are actually from among the losers for allowing time to pass by without benefitting from any of it through advising and guiding each other to internalize Islam as a complete way of life. This surah also explains on the four groups whom are fortunate:
1- Those possessing imaan that will guide them towards righteousness and prevent them from transgression.
2- Those performing good deeds that actually benefit themselves, their families, and mankind in general.
3- Those calling others to live upon the principles of Truth that is based on the Sharee‘ah of Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala.
4- Those who remain patient while conveying the Sharee‘ah of Allah, and while facing hardship and trials from Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala
Rasulullah ﷺ said to a man and he was admonishing him: “Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your riches before your poverty, your leisure before your work, and your life before your death.” (al-Bayhaqi, Ahmad, al-Haakim: saheeh)
Therefore, we must always remember and remain cognizant that:
1- The time in our life is for the obedience of Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala and performing beneficial deeds as provision after we die.
2- The time while we are still healthy is for performing ‘ibaadah to Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala and all form of good deeds.
3- The leisure time is for personal enhancement whether in terms of ‘ibaadah, career advancement, and increasing knowledge.
4- The time during youth is a period of potential filled with high energy and the willingness to face the challenge in achieving excellence.
5- Having wealth provides ample opportunity to perform ‘ibaadah or righteous deeds that requires material wealth such as hajj, zakaat, waqf, and sadaqah.
“If you could but see when the criminals are hanging their heads before their Lord, [saying], “Our Lord, we have seen and heard, so return us [to the world]; we will work righteousness. Indeed, we are [now] certain.” (as-Sajdah 32:12)