Dear Brothers and Sisters!  

Allah (swt) has granted us, His creation, the gift of life. In our guide, the Holy Qur’an, it is stated: “He has made the night and the day, the sun and the moon, subservient to you; and the stars are in subjection to His command. Surely in this are signs for people who reason.” This verse draws attention to the passing of time. Our actions take place over time. As time progresses, our life fades and our end draws nearer. Therefore, it is essential to know the value of time, use it wisely and make the most of it. Time is one of the greatest blessings Allah (swt) has bestowed upon His servants. Everything gains value over time and can also lose its value with time. If a human being lives a life in accordance with the purpose of existence that Allah has conveyed to us through the Qur’an and Sunnah, they attain the rank of the noblest of creatures. However, if they waste their time with actions that do not align with their purpose of creation, they can descend to the lowest of the low, known as ‘asfal as-safilin’.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

In the Qur’an, it is observed that many surahs begin with oaths on matters to which Allah attributes value. One of these is Surah Al-Asr, which begins with an oath on time: “By the time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.” According to the majority of scholars, the word “asr” means “absolute time,” and by swearing by time at the beginning of the surah, its place and importance in human life are highlighted. One of the great Qur’an commentators, Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, says in his tafsir of Surah Al-Asr: “A person selling ice in the market was shouting, ‘Have mercy on the one whose capital is melting away!’ 

When I heard this, I said, ‘This statement is the meaning of Surah Al-Asr.’ The life given to a person melts away quickly like ice. If it is wasted or spent incorrectly, it results in human loss.” Therefore, by swearing by time in Surah Al-Asr, it is indicated that a person who does not engage in the four mentioned deeds faith, righteous deeds, advising each other to truth and advising each other to patience wastes their life regardless of their worldly occupations and is in loss. Only those who perform these four deeds and arrange their lives accordingly will succeed.

Dear Jama’ah!

Let us not forget that the life Allah (swt) has given us is passing and our time is limited. We should recognise the value of our time and not waste it on activities that do not benefit our worldly life or hereafter. Our Prophet (saw) said: “There are two blessings that many people are deceived by: health and free time.” 

A conscious believer does not waste their life on useless activities. They even place importance on not remaining idle. In this regard, Allah (swt) says: “So truly where there is hardship, there is also ease. Truly, where there is hardship, there is also ease. So when you have finished (your duties), then stand up (for worship). And turn to your Lord alone with all your desire.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters! 

We must appreciate the value of time. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “Take advantage of five matters before five other matters: your life before your death, your health before your illness, your free time before you become busy, your youth before your old age, and your wealth before your poverty.” Let us spend the limited breaths that Allah has bestowed upon us in His way and in actions that please Him. Let us especially turn away from wasting time on social media, trivial matters and activities that do not benefit our future.

May Allah (swt) grant us the ability to spend our time in deeds that are pleasing to Allah. Ameen! 

¹ Surah An-Nahl, 16:12

² Surah Asr

³ Buhârî, Rikâk, 1

⁴ Surah Ash-Sharh, 94:5-8

⁵ Hâkim, el-Müstedrek, IV, 341

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