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!
Footnotes:
[1] Bible – American King James version
[2] A motivational rhyme, Author – anonymous
[3] Saheeh Al-Bukhari
[4] Saheeh Muslim