Time is
defined as "a period of time in which a specific event occurs in a
specific place." It is also defined as "a measurable period of time
that expresses a continuous series of temporal dimensions, unrelated to spatial
dimensions." Scientifically, it can be defined as "a measure of the
progression of events, starting from the past, passing through the present
towards the future, in a continuous, sequential, and unidirectional
manner." Time can be considered a fourth dimension, even though it cannot
be touched, tasted, or even seen. It is something that exists, its passage can
be measured, and its existence cannot be denied.
Time is one
of the countless blessings that God has bestowed upon humankind from the moment
of birth until death. The wise person is the one who utilizes their life for
the betterment of this world and the hereafter. He is the one who understands
that once time is gone, it cannot be retrieved, that time passes quickly, that
making the most of it increases its value, that time cannot be changed or
altered, that time is the vessel of action, and that it cannot be stored.
Therefore, punctuality is a characteristic of God's messengers and prophets and
a virtue of those who enjoin justice among people—scholars and sincere,
truthful preachers. Those who are punctual are characterized by faithfulness,
and faithfulness is a praiseworthy quality that God and people love in those
who possess it.
Time is
mentioned in many verses of the Holy Quran due to its importance to humankind
in this life and the hereafter. God Almighty has sworn by time in many verses,
such as "By the morning brightness," "By the afternoon,"
and "By the dawn," among others, indicating the greatness of time in
Islam. He explained the importance of time in the words of the Almighty: “We
made the day and night as two signs. So We made the sign of the night devoid of
light, and We made the sign of the day ˹perfectly˺ bright, so that you may seek
the bounty of your Lord and know the number of years and calculation ˹of time.
˺. And we have explained everything in detail.” (Surat Al-Isra: 12) And His
saying, may He be exalted: “And in some parts of the night (also) offer the Salat (prayer) with it
(i.e., recite the Quran in the prayer) as an additional prayer (Tahajjud
optional prayer Nawafil) for you (O Muhammad SAW). It may be that your Lord
will raise you to Maqaman Mahmuda (a station of praise and glory, i.e., the
highest degree in Paradise!).” (Surat
Al-Isra: 79). Investing time wisely is the best investment in this world and
the Hereafter, and it is a characteristic of God’s righteous servants, as God,
may He be glorified and exalted, says: “They used to sleep but little of the night.” (Surat Adh-Dhariyat: 17-18). God, may He be
glorified and exalted, urges us to emulate His righteous servants by striving
to do good deeds and making the most of our time. In the words of God Almighty:
“For each
[community] is a direction to which it turns. So race to [all that is] good.
Wherever you may be, God will bring you together. Indeed, God is over all
things competent.” (Surat
Al-Baqarah: 148), and His words: “And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and
a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared.” For the righteous (33)
(Surah Al Imran: 33). This is time, and this is its value. It is the vessel of
the events that pass through us from birth until we join our Lord. Therefore,
we must make the best use of time in a way that benefits us in this life and
the Hereafter.
Among the
things a person will be questioned about on the Day of Resurrection is time, as
in the saying of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him): “The
feet of a servant will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked
about his life and how he spent it, about his knowledge and what he did with
it, about his wealth and from where he acquired it and how he spent it, and
about his body and how he used it.” (Narrated by Abu Barzah Al-Aslami, Nadlah
ibn Ubayd; Source: Sahih At-Tirmidhi). Therefore, organizing time and utilizing
it in a way that benefits oneself and one's community is among the most
important matters in Islam. Our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon
him, instructed his nation, saying, “There are two blessings which many people
take for granted: health and free time.” (Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas;
Source: Hilyat al-Awliya). Whoever is granted health and free time, yet
neglects acts of worship, is truly deceived and loses in this trade. Therefore,
utilizing these blessings and benefiting from them is something that pleases
God, the Exalted. The Messenger, may God bless him and grant him peace, paid
great attention to time in his life and did not let it go to waste, as he, may
God bless him and grant him peace, said, “Take advantage of five things before
five others: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness,
your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you become busy, and
your life before your death.” (Narrated by Ibn Abbas: Source: Al-Mustadrak ‘ala
al-Sahihayn. Our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded
us to be proactive and value our time, saying, “Hasten to do good deeds before
seven things befall you: poverty that makes you forgetful, wealth that makes
you arrogant, debilitating illness, senility that weakens the mind, sudden
death, the Dajjal (Antichrist), the worst of all that is yet to come, or the
Hour (Day of Judgment), and the Hour is more calamitous and bitter.” (Narrated
by Abu Hurairah; Source: Ibn Baz’s Collected Fatwas). In this hadith, the
Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, urges us to hasten to do good
deeds while we are in good health and have the means.
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