Part 11
By Khyber Jalal
Moderation in Making Good Use of Time and the Opportunities of Life
Another important area in which Islam teaches moderation is the way a person manages time and makes use of the opportunities Allah has placed before him.
Time is one of the greatest blessings Allah Almighty has given to mankind. Once it slips away, it never returns. That is why Islamic law calls on Muslims to use their time wisely and to avoid both extremes, wasting it carelessly or neglecting other duties in the name of a single pursuit.
Unfortunately, many people today become so absorbed in worldly affairs and the pursuit of wealth that they neglect worship, family, education, and other responsibilities. Others fall into the opposite mistake. They devote themselves so completely to one activity that they lose sight of life’s practical needs and the obligations they owe to society.
Islam approves of neither path. It calls on believers to maintain balance across every responsibility that life places upon them.
Allah Almighty swears by time in the Quran:
﴿وَالْعَصْرِ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ﴾ (سورة العصر)
“By Al-‘Asr. Verily, mankind is in loss.
Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and recommend one another to the truth, and recommend one another to patience.
(Surah al-Asr)
Allah swears only by matters of immense value and lofty rank. That is why He swears by time itself.
The message of this short surah is straightforward: a person’s real wealth is his lifetime. True success belongs to those who spend that wealth on faith, righteous deeds, and the service of truth.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also reminded us of the value of time:
«نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ: الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ»
“There are two blessings which many people waste: health and free time.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 6412)
This hadith reminds us that most people only recognize the value of their opportunities after they have slipped away.
A wise Muslim therefore tries to make every moment count. He spends his time in worship, seeking knowledge, serving others, earning a lawful livelihood, and doing whatever else brings benefit. Moderation in the use of time means giving every part of life its due: worship, work, rest, family, study, and social relationships all have their rightful place.
One of the most serious problems in society today is the careless waste of time.
Many people spend a large portion of their lives on smartphones, often using them in ways that bring little benefit. Few have escaped this affliction, except those whom Allah has willed to protect. Hours that once belonged to prayer, reciting the Holy Quran, remembering Allah, maintaining family ties, and other worthwhile pursuits are now consumed by these devices, making them one of the greatest causes of wasted time.
Yet the opposite extreme is no better. Just as endless amusement and wasting time are harmful, denying oneself rest and other natural human needs also goes against the balanced spirit of Islam.
A society whose people understand the value of time and use their opportunities in ways that earn Allah’s pleasure moves toward prosperity, stability, progress, and growth. But when time is squandered and opportunities for worship and goodness are neglected, the result is Allah’s displeasure and the decline of both the individual and the community. For this reason, the sacred law of Islam teaches its followers to regard life as a precious trust. It should be used with discipline, balance, and careful planning. Every person will be questioned on the Day of Judgment about his life and his youth. Fortunate are those who spent that priceless gift in the path of Allah Almighty’s pleasure.
