Time Management in Islam
Every minute is precious as it counts!
Why do you even think that time will run according to your pace? We belong to Allah and we have to return to Him someday. All that we have in this life comes through the loving-kindness and grace of Allah, and He has granted us the gift of time to work on ourselves. We often fall inadequate in different areas of life including education, professional and personal relations because of the scarcity of correct time utilization. Nevertheless, particularly when the workload is piled, the most important link we always forget is the most glorious relationship with Allah.
The first thing that you should know is that you have to manage your time. No matter what you do, time continues flowing. Every day you have 24 hours, 1440 minutes, or 86400 seconds to use as you deem appropriate. They say controlling means that, what you do, you have some control over it. You cannot control time in a day, but you can control what you do within 24 hours.
Therefore Islam is not a set of rules to observe solely in regards to the matter of prayer and fasting, but also concerning our communication time and personal efficiency with others. But according to the Prophets and Divinely-sent leaders, we must familiarize ourselves with time management in Islam as our acts must be in line with their lifestyle and supremacy.
“There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.” (Bukhari 8/421)
As it is said by Allah (S.W.T) in the Quran:
“By (the Token of) Time (through the ages), Verily mankind is in loss, Except those who have faith, and do righteous good deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and Patience and Constancy.”(The Qur'an 103:1-3)
Offer Fajr:
Get started for the day during Fajr lets you start ahead of anyone in the Dunya. Around noon, you find that most of the day's activities have already been completed productively. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said:
“O Allah, bless my nation in their early mornings.” [ Sunan Ibn Majah]
Plan out your day and start anything with Bismillah:
Start planning out your day afore anything in the morning. Make a list of everything you have to do throughout the day and line it up according to the priority so that it gets easier for you to make up your mind accordingly. And never forget to say BISMILLAH before starting any task. Consider taking anything left at the end of the day and enter it in your list for the next day. You must add the remaining stuff on the day before that night. Place the stuff at the top of your list, if possible, so that you do not have a small list of things you keep tagging with you every week.
Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said
“Get holds of 5 things before 5 things happen: your youth before old age, your health before sickness, your riches before poverty, your leisure before business and your life before death.” (Tirmidhi)
Set your sights on a vision:
You must have the goal to ask whether you are heading in the right direction. Envision your goal! It builds your inner motivation to take the necessary measures. Note, your final destination must be connected to this goal. Those who become a scientist, restore the Khilafah, move to Madinah, do Hajj, open a gym, etc. When a task occurs, revert to your goal, and wonder if it helps or am I distracted from it?
“Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: Women and sons; Heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world’s life, but in nearness to Allah is the best of the goals (To return to)”. [Qur’an, Family of Imran, 3:14]
Never be ignorant about hereafter:
The majority of us are happy those who have tried to build their lives around Islam, not build Islam around their lives. It is one of Satan's efforts to divert us from Allah by reminding us that we don't have time to pray on busy days, nor that it is necessary to hasten prayers so that we can return to work. These are signs that render us ignorant about the afterlife.
Every minute counts! In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
(I swear) by time, that surely mankind suffers loss,
except for those who believe and do good deeds,
and they enjoin Truth and they enjoin constancy.
–Surah Asr (Time)
Divide your day:
Every one of us often delays things for later, the planned out list slowly becomes so unfeasible that Satan presents many obstacles. But we can examine the principles of Islam concerning ethics and self-development and obtain advice and important steps that keep us away from the pity that we can become Muslims and individuals more effectively. It is important to keep our lives consistent, and we can look at Prophet Muhammad as a great example of how we should do so.
The Holy Prophet stated, “I have divided my time into three equal parts – one part for worship, one for my family affairs, and the last part I have further divided into two, one for social engagements and one for rest.”
Say no to Multitasking:
Multi-tasking is a source of stress most of the time and allows you to start many projects without doing anything. Alternatively, a single task executes the job with full focus and commitment, one project at a time. Your tasks will eventually gain commitment and get fully completed. Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H)) pertained for single or multiple tasks? We cannot find a single evidence of multi-task Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) when we go through the Seerah and researches. He always appeared to be fully focused on the project or the person involved and paid full attention to them. During prayers, he focused completely on his Salah.
People seek to become physically, mentally, socially and emotionally more balanced. Since its advent, Islam has tried to allow human beings to reach their full potential by reminding them of their duty towards God, their fellow human beings and, of course, towards themselves.
