Time is one of the greatest blessings Allah has given us yet it is also one of the most wasted. Every second that passes can never be reclaimed, and every moment gone is a piece of our life that will never return. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There are two blessings which many people lose: health and free time.” (Bukhari)
This profound hadith reminds us that time is not just a resource; it is a trust from Allah. Each day that dawns is another opportunity a chance to earn forgiveness, perform good deeds, and draw nearer to our Creator. But how often do we let the hours slip away in heedlessness, distractions, and pursuits that hold no value in the sight of Allah?
TIME IS LIFE ITSELF
Time is not just minutes or hours; it is life itself. Every breath we take is part of the limited time Allah has allotted for us in this world. Once gone, it cannot be bought back with wealth, tears, or regret. The Qur’an emphasizes this truth when Allah swears by time itself:
“By time, indeed mankind is in loss, except for those who believe, do righteous deeds, and encourage each other to truth and patience.” (Qur’an 103:1-3)
Surah Al-‘Asr is short yet powerful it tells us that loss is the natural state of man unless we fill our time with faith, good deeds, and sincere effort for the sake of Allah. Time is not meant to be spent but invested in actions that will benefit us in the Akhirah.
THE DECEPTION OF “I’LL DO IT LATER”
One of Shaytan’s most successful tricks is convincing us that there is always “more time.” He whispers, “You’ll repent later,” “You’ll start praying regularly soon,” or “You’ll seek knowledge when life slows down.” But the reality is that life never slows down and death never delays.
The Prophet ﷺ warned us to seize five things before five:
“Take advantage 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 busyness, and your life before your death.” (Ibn Abbas, Hakim)
Every excuse we make today may become a regret tomorrow. The time to turn back to Allah, to change, to grow, and to act is now.
USING TIME WISELY
The believer understands that time is part of their amanah (trust). How we spend it reflects our priorities and the state of our heart. When time is used in worship, learning, helping others, or even resting with good intentions, it becomes an act of ibadah. But when it’s wasted in heedlessness, gossip, or sin, it becomes a witness against us on the Day of Judgment.
Ask yourself: how many hours do we spend scrolling through our phones compared to reciting Qur’an? How much time do we give to the dunya versus preparing for the Akhirah? The clock is not just ticking it’s recording.
THE TRUE VALUE OF A MOMENT
Even a single moment can transform a person’s destiny. One sincere tear shed in repentance, one heartfelt du‘a, one quiet moment of remembrance these can outweigh years of heedlessness. Allah’s mercy is vast, but we must take the step.
Time, when spent in obedience, multiplies in reward. Allah blesses every second used for His sake. But time wasted in disobedience or heedlessness brings regret, and on the Day of Judgment, regret will have no cure.
CONCLUSION
Time is not a burden it is a blessing, a silent gift that we unwrap every day. The wise believer treats it as a trust and measures every action by its eternal worth.
As Hasan al-Basri (rahimahullah) said:
“O son of Adam, you are nothing but a number of days. Whenever a day passes, a part of you passes with it.”
Every sunrise is a reminder that Allah has given you another chance another opportunity to draw closer to Him, to make tawbah, to improve, and to prepare for the final return.
Use your time before it uses you.
For every moment gone is one step closer to the Day when time itself will testify how you spent it.
