Allah Almighty has bestowed countless blessings upon us. Wealth is a blessing, health is a blessing, children are a blessing, and peace is a blessing. However, there is another blessing that silently slips away from our hands, and once it is gone, no amount of wealth in the world can bring it back. That blessing is time and life. The moment that has passed will never return. Every morning that passes reduces the time remaining in our lives. The truth is that we are not merely passing time; our lives are passing by. Allah Almighty has sworn by time in the Holy Quran to make us understand a profound reality:

وَالْعَصْرِ ۝ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ ۝ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ

Translation: By time! Indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who believe, do righteous deeds, encourage one another to follow the truth, and encourage one another to remain patient.

An Example

An elderly man once said that throughout his life, one question had continued to trouble him: How could it be that mankind is in loss? He found the answer in a shop selling ice.

A man was standing on a platform with a block of ice, calling out, “Buy ice! Buy ice!” No one was buying it, yet the ice continued to melt. His capital was disappearing without him even realising it.

Human life is much the same. A person becomes so occupied with worldly affairs that he does not even realise how his capital is being exhausted and how his life is gradually coming to an end.

Every Moment Reduces Our Lifespan

It is narrated from Hazrat Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him): “O son of Adam! You are nothing but a collection of days. Whenever a day passes, a part of you passes with it.”

Think about it carefully. We say that another year has passed. In reality, it is not merely the year that has passed; one year of our lives has gone with it.

We often say that we did not even realise how quickly the entire week passed. We remark, “Look, Friday has come around again so soon!” In reality, Friday has not arrived early. We are moving rapidly towards the Hereafter.

The person sitting beside us today may not necessarily be with us next Friday. This applies not only to others but to you and me as well. That is why a wise person is one who makes life valuable before death arrives.

Two Blessings That People Often Undervalue

There are blessings that, once lost, can never be recovered. We often fail to recognise health and free time as great blessings, yet the following Hadith describes them as two blessings in which many people suffer loss.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ: الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ

“There are two blessings in which many people are at a loss: health and free time.”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6412

What We Say When We Are Healthy

When a person enjoys good health, he says, “There is still plenty of time.” When he is young and at the peak of his youth, he thinks, “Worship? I will do that in old age.”

When it comes to reciting the Holy Quran, he says, “I will start reciting the Quran tomorrow.” When it is time to pray, he makes excuses about his clothes or his schedule. Eventually, he becomes careless about prayer and says, “I will start praying regularly from tomorrow.”

He does not hurry to abandon his sins either. Instead, he says, “I will give up my sins tomorrow.” He promises himself, “I will try to give my parents more time from tomorrow.”

These are the kinds of excuses people make when they are enjoying the peak of their youth. They are carried away by the excitement of youth, their words reflect pride, and their arrogance seems to reach the skies.

No Guarantee of Tomorrow

My fundamental question is this: How can we confidently say that we will do something tomorrow? Are we certain that tomorrow will be part of our lives?

Can anyone guarantee even their next breath, let alone tomorrow? How can I be certain that the breath I am taking right now is within my control?

We have seen many people go to sleep after making plans, only for them never to wake up the next morning. Some have passed away while drinking tea, without even getting the chance to put their cups down on the table.

The true quality of a believer is that he does not keep postponing good deeds. Rather, he hastens to do them.

Race Towards Good Deeds

A believer does not delay doing good. Instead, he looks for opportunities to perform good deeds. His purpose is to help others and continually seek the pleasure of Allah.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ

“So compete with one another in doing good deeds.”

Reference: Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:148

We hurry to complete worldly tasks. We try to accomplish one thing after another, often staying awake day and night to achieve our goals. Our ambitions frequently revolve around having a good house, a good car, a successful business, and career advancement.

There is no doubt that these are legitimate aspirations. But the question is: Is this the only reason we have come into this world? Are we making the same effort to prepare for the Hereafter? Does concern for the Hereafter occupy our hearts and minds with equal intensity?

Have we ever thought about competing in offering Tahajjud prayers, giving charity, reciting the Quran, serving our parents, helping those in need, or forgiving others?

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

بَادِرُوا بِالْأَعْمَالِ

“Hasten to perform good deeds.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hadith 118

Circumstances do not always remain the same. Today, we have good health; tomorrow, we may fall ill. Today, we have free time; tomorrow, we may become busy. Today, we have wealth; tomorrow, our circumstances may change. Today, we are alive; tomorrow, death may come.

Is My Prayer Correct?

Where should we begin our self-reform? This is a fundamental question. The best place to start is by examining our prayers. If our prayers are correct and performed properly, this is an important first step towards reforming ourselves and improving society.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا

“Indeed, prayer has been prescribed for the believers at appointed times.”

Reference: Surah An-Nisa, 4:103

Should we not ask ourselves: What is the state of our Fajr prayer? What about Zuhr and Asr? How concerned are we about Maghrib and Isha?

When we have an important worldly task, we set alarms, remember the time, and make sure we do not miss appointments. Why, then, do we forget the time of our meeting with Allah through prayer?

The Adhan is a call reminding us to put aside worldly affairs for a while because our Lord is calling us. Let us decide today that, regardless of our circumstances, prayer will remain a priority in our lives.

A Blessing Can Also Be a Test

Many things in this world can be both a blessing and a test at the same time. Water, for example, is essential when we are thirsty. However, when it comes in excessive quantities, such as through floods or destructive rainfall, the same water can become a source of hardship.

Similarly, a mobile phone is a great blessing, but it can also become a test, particularly for young people.

A mobile phone is not inherently bad. We can use it to learn the Quran, gain knowledge, earn a livelihood, and stay in touch with relatives. However, the same device can consume hours of our precious lives.

We open our phones for just a few minutes, watch one video, then another, and then a third. Before we realise it, an entire hour has passed.

Consider this: if we spend just two unnecessary hours on our phones every day, that amounts to 730 hours in a year, or approximately 30 full days. That is an entire month of life spent simply looking at a screen.

The Holy Quran describes one of the qualities of successful believers:

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ

“And they turn away from useless talk and activities.”

Reference: Surah Al-Mu’minun, 23:3

Therefore, use your mobile phone, but do not allow your mobile phone to use up your life.

The Rights of Others and the Hereafter

We often think that hurting someone’s feelings is not a big deal, that backbiting is harmless, or that taking a little of someone else’s wealth is acceptable because we believe we are entitled to it.

This is not correct. The rights of other people are a serious matter in the Hereafter, and negligence in this regard can lead to severe consequences. Some people are concerned about their acts of worship but treat the rights of others as insignificant.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) explained who the truly bankrupt person is on the Day of Judgement.

A person will arrive with prayers, fasting, and charity, but he will have insulted someone, falsely accused another, taken someone’s wealth, shed someone’s blood, or physically harmed someone. His good deeds will then be given to those he wronged. If his good deeds run out before their rights are fulfilled, their sins will be placed upon him.

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2581

Reflect Today

We must not wait for tomorrow. We need to reflect today, right now, and change our way of thinking.

Ask yourself: Do I owe anyone their rights? If the answer is yes, do not take your life for granted. Return what belongs to others, seek forgiveness, and settle the matter. Asking for forgiveness in this world is easy; giving away your good deeds on the Day of Judgement will be very costly.

Do not wait until tomorrow to abandon your sins. Sometimes a person knows that something is wrong but still says, “I cannot give it up right now. I will repent after some time.”

Allah Almighty says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا

“O you who believe, turn to Allah in sincere repentance.”

Reference: Surah At-Tahrim, 66:8

One of Satan’s dangerous strategies is not necessarily to tell you never to repent. Instead, he encourages you to believe that you still have plenty of time.

He whispers, “You must repent, of course, but not today. Do it tomorrow.” When tomorrow arrives, he says next week. When the week arrives, he says during Ramadan. When Ramadan arrives, he tells you that you still have your whole life ahead of you.

Life can end while a person continues to postpone repentance. If you are involved in an unlawful relationship, take steps to leave it today. If you are committing sins through your gaze, restrain yourself today. If you are involved in interest, deception, lying, backbiting, bribery, or any other unlawful practice, repent before Allah today. Where the rights of others are involved, make amends as well.

Never Lose Hope in Allah’s Mercy

Allah’s mercy is something that should never make a person despair. We must trust that He will forgive us when we sincerely seek His forgiveness.

A person may wonder, “I have committed so many sins. What hope is left for me?” Listen to the response of Allah Almighty:

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا

“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.’”

Reference: Surah Az-Zumar, 39:53

What a hopeful verse this is! Allah is not calling only those who have made a few minor mistakes. He is addressing those who have wronged themselves through their actions.

No matter how many sins a person has committed, Allah’s mercy is greater than them all. The condition is that the person sincerely turns back to Him.

Make Three Decisions Today

My dear friends, especially our young people, today we must make three decisions and commit ourselves to putting them into practice.

First Decision: Give Up One Sin

Think about the sin in your life that you know is creating a barrier between you and Allah.

Say today, “O Allah, from this day onwards, I will begin striving to give this up.” If you happen to fall into the same sin again, do not give up. Repent sincerely and follow it with good deeds.

Second Decision: Make One Good Deed a Daily Habit

Decide that you will perform at least one good deed every day. It could be reading one page of the Quran daily, offering Fajr prayer in congregation, engaging in morning and evening remembrance of Allah, serving your parents every day, or giving charity regularly.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said that the deeds most beloved to Allah are those performed consistently, even if they are small.

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6464

Third Decision: Fulfil One Person’s Right

If you owe someone money, make arrangements to repay it. If you have fallen out with someone, take a step towards reconciliation. If you have hurt someone, ask for forgiveness. If your parents are upset with you, make an effort to please them. If you have broken ties with relatives, reach out to them.

May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to perform good deeds and protect ourselves from evil. Ameen.