Time is Money

“By the passage of time, indeed, mankind is in loss.”

(Surah Al-Asr, 103:1-2)

The is one of the most valuable, yet most neglected, blessings that Allah has granted us. It slips away quietly, without sound or shadow, and never returns. The above verse from the Qur’an is a powerful reminder that the human being is in a state of loss – unless he uses his time wisely, with faith, righteous deeds, and truth.

The importance of time in Islam is unparalleled. The religion of Islam teaches us to be mindful of every moment we live. The five daily prayers are set at specific times to teach discipline. Ramadan is observed in a specific month. Hajj is performed at a particular time of the year. Even Zakat is calculated annually. All these acts of worship train us to respect and value time.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“There are two blessings which many people waste: health and free time.”

(Sahih Bukhari)

This hadith clearly shows that free time is a test. If not utilized properly, it becomes a cause of regret. Today, millions of youth spend their time on social media, entertainment, and useless talk, not realizing that every second that passes will never return.

From a scientific perspective, time is equally fascinating. Famous physicist Albert Einstein once said:

“Time is an illusion, but a very persistent one.”

And Sir Isaac Newton believed that time is absolute, ticking constantly, and waits for no one. Whether it is science, religion, or philosophy, all agree on one thing: time is precious.

Let us look at the lives of great people and how they treated time.

Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) dedicated most of his life to acquiring and teaching knowledge.

Hazrat Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (RA) ruled only for 2.5 years, yet transformed the entire Ummah due to his time management and justice.

Scholars like Imam Ghazali and Ibn Taymiyyah wrote thousands of pages of knowledge because they never wasted a moment.

In the modern world, time is money. Billionaires like Bill Gates and Elon Musk plan their days by the minute. Bill Gates once said,

“I choose a lazy person to do a hard job, because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.”

But even then, that “lazy” person has to use time smartly.

On the contrary, those who waste time live in regret. Wasting time leads to missed opportunities, weak character, and ultimately failure. A famous Arabic proverb says:

“Time is like a sword; if you don’t cut it, it will cut you.”

For students, time is more valuable than gold. The teenage years are the golden years to learn, grow, and build a foundation for the future. A student who creates a proper timetable, avoids distractions, and remains focused can achieve anything in life.

How to Use Time Effectively:

1. Plan Your Day: Make a to-do list every morning or night.

2. Pray on Time: Salah teaches us daily time discipline.

3. Avoid Procrastination: Don’t delay important tasks.

4. Limit Distractions: Reduce time on phones, games, and social media.

5. Read and Reflect: Spend time with beneficial books and thoughts.

6. Learn a New Skill: Every minute spent learning adds value to your future.

7. Serve Others: Use your time to help, inspire, and uplift others.

The Prophet ﷺ also said:

“Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death.”

(Mustadrak Al-Hakim)

This hadith summarizes the urgency to act before it’s too late. Time is like a flowing river; you can either let it drown you or sail with it.

Conclusion

Time is life. Those who value time, value their life, and those who waste time, waste their potential. Time once gone never returns. It doesn’t pause, it doesn’t rewind, it doesn’t forgive. So let us make a sincere intention today—to value our time, to use it for good, for growth, and for the pleasure of Allah.

Start now. The clock is already ticking.