What is time, what causes it? Is it a dimension, can you slow it down or speed it up? When we think of time we tend to think of the ways in which we measure the passing of time, a clock or watch, or we think of a measured interval of time such as an hour or minute. Humankind has always been concerned with time, the passage of time, the measurement of time, and the scientific qualities of time. We talk about time travel, the relativity of time, the direction of time and wheel of time.
There are theories and concepts of time and it is studied in religion, philosophy and science. Time even has economic value. Time is money. Time has social and personal importance; we use our concept of time to place events appointments and milestones in sequence. We order our lives around time, in Islam lives are structured around the daily prayers. In the 11th century, Avicenna doubted the existence of physical time, arguing that time exists only in the mind due to memory and expectation. Islamic and Christian theologians adopted the idea that time is linear. Verses from the Bible tell us there is a time for everything. “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)[1]
Time has an intrinsic value that is recognised even in motivational rhymes for adults and nursery rhymes for children. To realise the value of one year, ask a student who has failed that year. To realise the value of one month, ask the mother of a premature baby, and to realise the value of one second ask the survivor of an accident.[2]
Both the Quran and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, make it clear that Islam considers time to a very valuable resource. Believers are encouraged to be conscious of time, to recognise its importance and to organise it wisely. If human beings do not waste or abuse time, but rather think of it as a blessing from God then they have every reason to hope for success both in this life and in the hereafter.
“By Al-’Asr (the time). Verily, man is in loss. Except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth and recommend one another to patience.” (Quran 103)
Prophet Muhammad instructed his followers and thus the believers to know and value the importance of time in the following traditions.
Humankind will remain standing on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about four things: his life and how he spent it, his youth and how he used it up, his property and how he acquired and managed it and his knowledge and how he utilized it.
There are two of God’s favours that are forgotten by many people; health and free time.[3]
Islam teaches us that time passes quickly and can never return, it is irretrievable. It is also the most precious gift that humankind possesses and can be taken from us at any given moment. God is the Giver but He is also the Withholder. Time passes swiftly and God reminds us in the Quran that the months and years pass but when we are standing before Him on the Day of Judgement our time on earth will seem as though we had lived, dreamed and worshipped for less than a day.
A speaker from among them said, “How long have you stayed (here)?” They said, “We have stayed (perhaps) a day or part of a day.” They said, “Your Lord (alone) knows best how long you have stayed (here). (Quran 18:19)
They will say: “We stayed a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep account.” (Quran 23:113)
A believer should not waste precious time on things that will not bring him closer to his Creator. Actions that do not contain a benefit for himself, his society or humankind in general are usually wasted actions, wasted time. Islam categorised things according to their level of importance. The first Muslims used to capture and use every single second of their time. Create
Thabit Al-Bunany said, “When my father was on his deathbed, I went to assist him in pronouncing the testimony that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah, but he said, ‘Son! Leave me alone, for I have recited all my supplications five times and I’m on my sixth cycle now.”
Prophet Muhammad also told his followers, “Do not curse time (al-dahr), for God is the one who crafted time. ”[4] Imam An Nawawi commented on this by saying, The meaning of the phrase “for God is the one who crafted time” means that He is the One Who causes those events and accidents to happen, and He is the Creator of all that happens.
Those who understand the value of time should make an effort to organise their time and make realistic plans. The entire life of a believer can be considered worship when that person is conscious of doing only what is pleasing to God. Religious obligations must be a first priority, however God is generous and time that seems so fleeting when we are flittering it becomes filled with blessing when we are using it to please our Creator.
The words of God in the Quran and the message of Prophet Muhammad to the believers are clear, we, humankind are told to be conscious of time. God reminds us that life in this world is but temporary and we do not know our appointed time of death. As believers we must never waste or abuse time, rather we must value it as a blessing from God. We must all understand that wasting even a single moment is an opportunity gone, never to return. When our time in this world is up, there is no going back and we will be held accountable for all that we do. Time is indeed precious!
Allah the Almighty and His Messenger, Prophet Mohammad 
very clearly tell us the value of time, why we must not waste it and how we can make use of our time wisely to increase our faith and thus attain success, especially eternal success in the Hereafter.
Both the Quran and the Sunnah enjoin Muslims to be conscious of the great importance of time. We are reminded that life in this world is nothing but temporary. We never know when death has been appointed for us. We must value time for the satisfaction of Allah. For our guidance and success, we must never waste time nor abuse it.
Allah, Almighty, swears in the beginning of many chapters by time or moments in time, for example:
Allah Says (what means): "By time…" [Quran 103: 1] And (what means): "By the dawn and [by] ten nights (i.e., the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah)…" [Quran 89: 1-2] And (what means):"By the night when it covers, and [by] the day when it appears.” [Quran 92: 1] And (what means):"By the morning brightness; and [by] the night when it covers with darkness…" [Quran 93:1]
The Prophet said: “There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.”[Al-Bukhari]
When Allah swears by something of His creation, it directs our attention to the benefit of that thing. Allah Says (what means):"And He subjected for you the sun and the moon, continuous [in orbit], and subjected for you the night and the day. And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the blessings of Allah, you could not enumerate them…" [Quran 14: 33-34]
And (what means): "And it is He Who has made the night and day in succession for whoever desires to remember or desires gratitude." [Quran 25: 62]
The Prophet said: "A servant of Allah will remain standing on the Day of Judgment till he is questioned: about his age and how he spent it; about his knowledge and how he utilized it; about his wealth from where he acquired it and in what (activities) he spent it; and about his body as to how he used it." [At-Tirmithi]
Time must be spent to fulfill our very purpose in life that is to worship Allah all throughout our lives. Allah Says (what means): “And I (Allah) did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me (Alone).” [Quran 51: 56-58]
If we do not use our time effectively for something good, then we will definitely use it for something bad, which destroys our rewards and our lives.
Everything we do in accordance with Islam is an act of worship. Such worship must be done sincerely for the sake of Allah alone. We should make use of our time in doing beneficial things doing good deeds in order we earn the pleasure of Allah and the pleasures of eternal Hereafter.
We should prefer that which is everlasting to that which will pass away. Yet, this doesn’t mean that we should leave the life of this world aside completely and spend every moment of our day in prayer! No, not at all, for worship is not confined to just acts of prayer, fasting and charity.
Verily, with the right intentions, correct knowledge and sincere heart we can earn reward and worship Allah through most, if not all of our daily actions. We profit from our time when we take permissible acts such as eating, taking care of children, etc., and make them a source of reward by making intention for the sake of Allah and follow the Sunnah (way) of Prophet Muhammed for each occasion.
We should try to make a short revision at the end of each day about what we did during that day. Ask ourselves: What did I do today? And what did I do that was wrong today? We make repentance for the bad things that we have done and determine sincerely not to repeat such things.
We have to make use of our time wisely by knowing more of the Quran and the Sunnah. We must have correct knowledge of what Allah and His Messenger have commanded us to do and at the same time to refrain from what they have forbidden us. Allah Says (what means): “O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds.”[Quran 47: 33]
Here are some tips that help benefiting from our time:
1. Acquiring knowledge sincerely for the sake of Allah.
2. Abstaining from all sins.
3. When committing any sin, we should repent immediately and determine not to repeat it.
4. Keeping away from harming others, slandering, backbiting etc.
5. Not laughing excessively nor talking excessively.
6. Always being mindful of the rules of the Sharee'ah (Islamic Law) in everything we do.
7. Staying far from the irreligious people.
8. Offering prayer on the proper time and with great concentration.
9. Occupying oneself in the remembrance of Allah.
10. Setting aside specific times for different tasks and abiding strictly to these times.
11. Helping and benefiting others irrespective of whether it is in worldly affairs or religious matters.
12. Being in the service and company of guests, travelers, strangers, scholars, and the pious servants of Allah.
13. Fearing Allah all the time.
14. Remembering death.
15. Setting aside a certain time daily wherein we should think about all our actions for that day. When we remember any good action, express gratitude to Allah. When we remember any evil action, repent.
16. Living with bashfulness, modesty and forbearance.
17. Making Du'aa (supplication) to Allah to keep us steadfast on the straight path.
When it is time for anyone of mankind to die, he will ask for more time to do good deeds, as Allah Says (what means): "They will cry out therein, 'Our Lord, remove us; we will do righteousness – other than what we were doing!" But did We not grant you life enough for whoever would remember therein to remember, and the warner had come to you? So taste [the punishment], for there is not for the wrongdoers any helper."[Quran 35: 37]
