Isn’t it ironic that in the world with the most time-saving technology, we still find ourselves so busy and exhausted?
The biggest tragedy is we’ve allowed our busyness to take away from time dedicated to Allah. As a result, we’ve sucked the barakah (blessing) out of our time.
This is one reason why so many people approach the end of their life wondering where the years went. They question what they’ve put forward for their akhirah (the Hereafter) with all the days they’ve had.
But we shouldn’t have to wait until our last days to give our time to Allah, the Master of Time itself.
You’re Never Too Busy!
“I’m too busy!”. We’ve all said this before, but let’s be honest: “too busy” is a construct. You’re never “too busy.”
It’s a matter of priority and what you’re willing to cut down on/get rid of completely to prioritize your relationship with Allah. Don’t believe me? Delete one of your social media apps on your phone and notice the free time that magically appears.
No man on earth was more busy than the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Yet among his never-ending responsibilities as a father, husband, leader, teacher and counselor, he never had a day pass without private time with Allah.
If you believe it was only possible because he was a prophet, think about the Companions. They were also parents, working jobs, and running their homes without the time-saving technology we have. Yet, they took from the Prophet’s example. For them and us, it was a matter of priority.
Prophet Abrahim (peace be upon him) also knew the importance of never being “too busy” for Allah. He would spend time, even before prophethood, reflecting on the creation of Allah and this life. Also, he would reflect in the late night and early morning. He would share his reflections with his people as described in the Quran.
After prophethood, worship became a family affair alongside his wives Sara and Hajar. This connection to Allah would give him the conviction needed to honor the challenges Allah would send all their ways.
The Blessing of Giving Time to Allah
When we give time to Allah through dedicated worship (like Quran, prayer, dhikr and duaa), we feed our souls by giving it the worship it was created for. This is a different and more beloved flavor of worship than turning everyday actions into worship with a good intention (although this is important too!).
Abu Hurayrah reported that that the Prophet (PBUH) said:
Allah the Almighty said: I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it. (Al-Bukhari)
This is the blessing of giving time to Allah. When we remember Allah, undistracted, we show Him how much we care for Him in our hearts. In return, Allah increases us in His closeness and favor. He even tells the angels about us and the angels make duaa for us! They become our close friends in this world, eager to be around us. What a beautiful gathering to be a part of!
On the other hand, when we constantly push worship away, we eventually will close ourselves to it altogether. And if we do that with no intention to turn back to Allah, we lock ourselves out of His mercy. That is the worst fate and yet, it is completely in our control. We make the decision to stay in Allah’s mercy or leave it.
We read in the Quran:
{Allah has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing, and over their vision is a veil. And for them is a great punishment.} (Al-Baqarah 2:7)
We would never want to be those on the Day of Judgment who beg to come back for another chance they’ll never get. This is our one chance, so we have to make the most of it. And Allah appreciates all our effort, big and small.
Without God, You’ll Always Be Stressed Out
Allah says in the Quran:
{So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me. O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.} (Al-Baqarah 2:152-153)
The reality of life is that Allah wants us to be close to Him. He gains no benefit from our worship and is not harmed by the lack of it. We are the ones who need the worship. Without it, the core of who we are (our soul) starves and nothing can fill it besides Allah.
Without Allah, you’ll end up chasing the many glittery things in life that never make you happy.
You’ll fall into miserable haram only to feel perpetually unfilled. Even in those times, Allah is still there, waiting to accept your tawbah (repentance) and open doors to you.
One of the biggest blessings we see in our life is the hardship we are given. We often don’t appreciate it while it occurs because of our overwhelming fear and anxiety. But it is these tests that show us what is really in our hearts. These tests show us how much we’ve invested in our relationship with Allah, they erase our sins and they increase us in good deeds for the akhirah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said; “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.” (Al-Bukhari)
Even Hajar, the wife of Prophet Abrahim, a beloved woman to Allah, endured trial. She was left completely alone in a barren desert with a baby. Imagine her fear and uncertainty!
And yet, because of her conviction and effort, we commemorate her every single year during the holy month of Dhul-Hijjah.
Her trial was temporary, even though at that time, it was likely the only thing on her mind. Her trial was resolved and, God willing, she will enjoy Paradise forever after it .
So, What Do I Do Now?
The amazing thing humans and jinn have that no other creation has is choice. We decide what we use our time to do. So, assess your free time. Make a 24 hour schedule and write down what each hour is used for. After the big time consumers like work and school, how much free time do you have? Account for the required eating, sleeping, commuting, hygiene and prayer. What time is left? What do you fill that free time with?
If you’re like me, you’ll be shocked at how much time you actually have left over! For most of us, it’s wasted on entertainment. So now, you know you’re not “too busy.” Dedicate a specific wird (daily worship). Show Allah you’ll carve out the time for dedicated worship. Some ideas include reading a page of Quran every night before sleeping. Waking up 10 minutes earlier (or not) to do the morning adhkar. Create an istighfar routine before getting ready for bed. Pick a prayer and do a special undistracted duaa after that prayer.
There are so many options, pick one, stick to it for a month and watch yourself transform. The barakah in your time will expand. You’ll find yourself no longer enjoying the things you used to waste your time with. Your heart will be cleaner. And most importantly, you’ll thank yourself in the akhirah.
- aboutislam.net
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