Time: A Precious Asset

By Mufti Mohammed Kafeel Ahmed

Director ISLAMIC HUBB

 

The importance of time has always been significant for people throughout history, and understanding its true nature is essential for everyone. Time is an asset that never returns, and failing to value it shows a person’s misfortune and negligence. Each person is in search of their own goal in life, but success belongs to those who know how to value time.

 

In this world, everyone has the same amount of time – 24 hours a day and night, which is the same for everyone. Although some may feel they don’t have enough time, the time we have is sufficient to pursue our life goals and aspirations. If we value this precious time and use it to achieve our objectives, we can succeed in life.

 

If we realize that no moment of time can be retrieved once lost, it can change our perspective. Imam Razi (ra) mentioned Surah Al-Asr and said that wasting time is a great misfortune, and those who don’t value it are squandering the precious moments of their lives. This is why the importance of time is emphasized in the Qur’an in various verses, such as in Surah Al-Asr, where it states, “By the time, indeed mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds.”

 

If we live each day as if it were our last and use every moment to seek the pleasure of Allah, not only will our actions be blessed, but we will also find it easier to reach our goals. The prayer of Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra), “O Allah! Bless my time and grant me the ability to use it properly,” is an important lesson. This saying encourages us to understand the significance of time and to use it properly.

Many people complain about a lack of time, but the truth is that we need to learn how to use our time effectively. Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra) said, “Before reckoning, take account of yourself.” This means we should evaluate our actions and account for the time that has been given to us.

A beautiful story about valuing time is between a father and his son. One day, the father gave his son the challenging task of assembling a world map. The son managed to do it in a short time and returned it perfectly assembled. The father, astonished, asked how he did it. The son replied, “There was a picture of a human being on the map, and once I corrected the image of the human, the entire map fell into place.” This teaches us that if a person corrects themselves, the entire world’s problems also get resolved. Proper use of time demands that we correct our lives and put them on the right track.

If we make a habit of wasting time, we are actually harming our future. Consider a person who plans to uproot a tree, thinking that it will be easier once it weakens in the future. But the reality is, if they are unable to uproot the tree when they are strong, how will they succeed when they are weak? This example illustrates that wasting time is a great mistake, and if we don’t use time wisely, we will face failure.

Western philosophers also understood the importance of time and emphasized its value through their sayings. By reflecting on these, we can better understand the significance of time.

1. Benjamin Franklin said:

“Time is the one thing we all have in equal measure, but it’s how we use it that makes it valuable.”

His saying teaches us that the value of time lies in how we choose to use it.

2. Mark Twain said:

“We waste time and, in doing so, waste the precious moments of our life, only to regret that time can never be reclaimed.”

This highlights the gravity of wasting time.

3. Karl Lojie said:

“The most valuable asset in the world is time, because it never comes back.”

This reminds us that time never returns, so we must use it wisely.

4. Saint Augustine said:

“Time has no beginning or end, but how we use it becomes the purpose of our life.”

This saying explains the concept of time and its importance.

There are numerous exemplary events in Islamic history that demonstrate the proper use of time. One of the most significant examples is from the life of Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra). Umar (ra) was known for being meticulous in accounting for his time. He never wasted time and made it a habit to review his actions at the end of each day, checking where time had been wasted. This habit and his careful use of time contributed greatly to his success.

Another example is from Imam Shafi’i (ra), who dedicated his precious time to acquiring knowledge. Imam Shafi’i’s remarkable memory and swift learning were partly due to his constant pursuit of knowledge and valuing his time. Once, he said: “I have never wasted time on learning, and any time I did waste is my greatest regret.” This demonstrates that valuing time and using it wisely plays a key role in achieving success.

Time is a precious asset that we should use in seeking Allah’s pleasure. Those who value time are successful in their lives. We should not waste time and instead use it properly to reach our goals. As Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra) said, “Before reckoning, account for yourself,” we should evaluate our time and use it wisely to ensure a successful life.

Time is an invaluable resource, and whether we use it for our goals or waste it, the choice is ours. Those who realize its significance and invest it in meaningful pursuits are

the ones who thrive in this life and the next.