Time Management from an Islamic Perspective: An Exploratory Study

                 by Obed Khan- Teacher / Trainer / Life Coach Vowel Education Academy)

                                                                               

                                                      

      One of the critical issues in management today is the management of  Time. Time is a very unique commodity. It cannot be borrowed, rented, or bought. Time management is very vital for our overall well-being. While Time management books and seminars often place their focus on business leaders and corporations, Time management is also crucial for students, teachers, factory workers, professionals, and home makers etc.

      Linking the concept of traditional Time Management with the Islamic views might help motivate Muslims to be more effective and efficient in their activities. Most of the existing guidelines on time management are developed by Western scholars some of which may not be consistent with the teachings of Islam. The main purpose of the article is to develop some guidelines on Time management from an Islamic perspective.  

     If you look through the Qur’an and the Sunnah, it is visibly clear that Time Management is one of the most important issues that has been prescribed in Islam. In Surah Al-Asr, Allah used the time to swear on, which means time is very important. Allah says: By the time, verily man is in loss, except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and calls towards the Truth and  patience and constancy. (Al-Asr,1-3)

    In line with the above Qur’anic message, Muslims are required to discipline themselves by underscoring the importance of time. A person’s time is a trust for which he or she will be accountable on the Day of  Resurrection. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “On the day of  Resurrection, the feet of the son of Adam [man] will not move away till he is questioned about four matters: how he spent his lifetime, how he spent his youth, from where he acquired his wealth and how he spent it, and what he did with his knowledge.” Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also said: "There are two blessings which many people lose (they are) health and free time for doing good" (Bukhari 8/421)

     If you study the seerah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), with specific focus on his daily and regular routines, it is an eye-opener. We can draw many lessons on Time Management from the Prophet’s enormously productive and purpose-driven life.

                                             

1. Be an Early Riser- The Prophet (pbuh) said: “O Allah, bless my nation in their early mornings (i.e., what they do early in the morning).” (Ibn Majah)

    Schedule your important tasks earlier in the day, especially those which require mental exercise, and watch the barakah (blessings) from Allah  descend.

2. Schedule Your Day Around the Five Daily Prayers- It was narrated that ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud (RA) said, “I asked the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) which action is most beloved to Allah? He said: ‘Establishing prayer on time, honoring one’s parents and struggle in the cause of Allah.” [Sunan an-Nasa’i]

     The discipline to give up all your work and life’s distractions to perform Salah strengthens your will-power to live a purposeful life. Performing your salah on time will energize you  and once you have fulfilled your most important obligation, the rest will become easy for you.

3. Prioritize and Be Consistent- Figure out the real priorities in your life. What is worth spending an hour on? What comes first? What is a must-do and what is good-to-do? Allocate time consistently to activities that matter.

4. Hasten in Doing Good- The dangers of Procrastination…. Procrastinators do not appreciate time nor the means and the opportunities that Allah  gives them to be productive. The Prophet (pbuh) advised to: “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 you are preoccupied, and your life before your death” (Narrated by Ibn Abbas and reported by Al Hakim)

5. Master your resources before the resources master you- Make sure you dictate your own rules to accomplish your day to day work and try to implement your rules in the most effective way by using whatever resources available to you.

   The life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was an example to us in every way. This article has looked at just a few of those. Transforming your life into one that is much more productive, meaningful and enjoyable depends on one instantaneous decision: Managing your time the way our beloved Prophet  taught us…….  START NOW!

Obed Khan- Teacher / Trainer / Life Coach

VOWEL EDUCATION ACADEMY

Educate…. Train….. Consult

vowelhelpdesk@gmail.com / obedkhanin@gmail.com