By Time, Indeed We Are in Loss

Here is an expanded English version of about 610 words, keeping the spiritual depth, moral lesson, and storytelling style intact while gently enriching the narrative:

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This is a story from the era of a king, a tale that carries a lesson as old as time itself.

One day, the king was overwhelmed with happiness over a matter known only to him. In his moment of generosity, he summoned an ordinary man from among the people and made him an astonishing offer. The king said:

“From this moment until the sun sets, all the land that you are able to walk around and enclose in a circle will belong to you.”

However, the king placed a firm condition upon this promise:

“If you fail to complete the circle before the sun sets, you will receive nothing at all.”

Upon hearing this, the man’s eyes sparkled with excitement. His heart overflowed with joy, ambition, and hope. Without hesitation, he set out on his journey, carrying grand dreams and limitless expectations. Each step he took felt like a step toward wealth, power, and security.

As he walked, the time of midday arrived. The sun stood high above him, and a quiet voice within his heart gently advised him,

“It would be wise to turn back now. You have already covered a great amount of land. This is more than enough.”

But the ego whispered temptingly,

“Not yet… just a little more. The more land you claim, the greater your reward will be.”

Ignoring the warning of his heart, the man pressed on.

After some time, he came across a breathtaking mountain. Its beauty and height captivated him. Desire surged within him once again. He thought to himself,

“This mountain must also become part of my estate. After that, I will surely return.”

Thus, he continued delaying his return, constantly postponing the moment of turning back. Each delay felt small, harmless, and justified, yet each one brought him closer to loss.

Slowly, the sun began to descend.

It felt as though the sun itself had become his rival, racing against him. The faster he walked, the faster the sun appeared to sink. After the afternoon passed, it no longer felt like the sun was setting—it felt as though it was melting into the horizon.

Panic set in.

The man began to run. Sweat streamed down his body, his breath grew heavy, and his chest burned with exhaustion. In his heart, a fire of regret ignited:

“If only I had turned back in time.

If only I had not fallen into greed.

If only I had listened to the voice within me.”

But now, time had slipped beyond his control.

He ran with all the strength he had left. His chest felt as if it would burst, his legs trembled, and his steps became unsteady, yet he refused to stop. He was chasing something that now seemed impossible to reach.

Suddenly, the sun set.

At that very moment, the man collapsed to the ground, and his soul departed from his body.

What followed was astonishing.

His head rested at the very place from which he had begun his journey, and his feet lay at the final point of the circle he had tried to complete. The circle he could not finish in life was completed by death.

At that very spot, a grave was prepared for him. Above it, a tombstone was placed, engraved with these powerful words:

“In truth, this human being needed no more land than what his grave now occupies.”

This timeless truth is one that Allah Almighty reminds us of repeatedly.

In Surah Al-‘Asr, Allah declares:

> “By time, indeed mankind is in loss.”

And in another verse, Allah says:

> “Know that the life of this world is nothing but play, amusement, adornment, mutual boasting, and competition in wealth and children.”

(Surah Al-Hadid)

Today, our own circles have grown vast. Our ambitions, desires, and attachments continue to expand, while the path of return—toward Allah, humility, and contentment—is often ignored.

Before our own sun sets, let us pause and reflect upon our journey.

May Allah grant us the wisdom to prepare for death before it arrives, and may He bless us with a good ending—filled with faith, goodness, and peace.

Ameen.