The Value of Time and Life
In Islam, the value of time and life is considered one of the most precious elements of human existence. Time is one of the greatest blessings that Allah has bestowed upon humanity, and utilizing this blessing correctly is of great importance for a person's happiness in both this world and the Hereafter. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized in various hadiths that we must recognize the value of time and life, and that we will be held accountable for these blessings. As Muslims, we are obliged to use our time efficiently, to avoid idle and unproductive activities, and to evaluate our lives in accordance with Allah's pleasure. In this context, authentic hadiths remind us of the value of time and life and help us to become more aware of this matter.
نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ: الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ
"There are two blessings that many people are deceived by: health and free time."
Health and free time are two great blessings that most people do not appreciate. We should make good use of these blessings.
اغْتَنِمْ خَمْسًا قَبْلَ خَمْسٍ: شَبَابَكَ قَبْلَ هَرَمِكَ، وَصِحَّتَكَ قَبْلَ سَقَمِكَ، وَغِنَاكَ قَبْلَ فَقْرِكَ، وَفَرَاغَكَ قَبْلَ شُغْلِكَ، وَحَيَاتَكَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِكَ
"Take advantage of five things before five others: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your occupation, and your life before your death."
It is important to seize opportunities in our lives to avoid future regrets. We must use our time wisely.
لَا تَزُولُ قَدَمَا عَبْدٍ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حَتَّى يُسْأَلَ عَنْ أَرْبَعٍ: عَنْ عُمُرِهِ فِيمَا أَفْنَاهُ، وَعَنْ عِلْمِهِ مَاذَا عَمِلَ فِيهِ، وَعَنْ مَالِهِ مِنْ أَيْنَ اكْتَسَبَهُ وَفِيمَا أَنْفَقَهُ، وَعَنْ جِسْمِهِ فِيمَا أَبْلَاهُ
"On the Day of Resurrection, a servant's feet will not move from their place until they are questioned about four things: about their life and how they spent it, about their knowledge and what they did with it, about their wealth and where they earned it and how they spent it, and about their body and how they wore it out."
Every moment of our lives is a matter of accountability before Allah. We must evaluate our time and resources wisely.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ: يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ، تَفَرَّغْ لِعِبَادَتِي أَمْلَأْ قَلْبَكَ غِنًى وَأَسُدَّ فَقْرَكَ، وَإِلَّا تَفْعَلْ مَلَأْتُ يَدَيْكَ شُغْلًا وَلَمْ أَسُدَّ فَقْرَكَ
"Allah the Exalted says: O son of Adam! Allocate time for My worship, and I will fill your heart with richness and alleviate your poverty. Otherwise, I will fill your hands with occupation and will not alleviate your poverty."
Allocating time for worshiping Allah fills our hearts with peace and richness. Worship should be at the center of our lives.
مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ
"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent."
Using our time and speech for good deeds is a manifestation of our faith. We should avoid idle and harmful words.