The Secret to Deliverance from Loss: How Should We Value Time?
In Sūrat al-ʿAṣr, Allah Most High swears by time, reminding us that it is a precious blessing that does not return. This oath awakens us from heedlessness and emphasizes that humanity's deliverance from loss is only possible through a life filled with iman (faith), righteous deeds, enjoining truth, and sabr (patient endurance). Lives that are not revived with these four elements can become a great source of loss.
We should not restrict the oath in this surah to a particular period, but rather consider it as encompassing the entire lifespan. For, as stated in another verse: "And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death)!" (al-Ḥijr, 99). Therefore, it is important never to lose the ecstasy of worship.
The Ecstasy of Worship and Lifelong Continuity
Every breath of a person who acts with true ecstasy in worship is blessed. As Ibrāhīm al-Khawwāṣ (may Allah have mercy on him) said, sincere people are either fulfilling their obligatory acts of worship or are engaged in supererogatory acts; it is rare to see them in any other state.
People of wisdom also advise: "The world is but a fleeting moment; strive to spend it in worship!" Therefore, we should not allow time to pass without worship and good deeds.
Abū Ḥāzim (may Allah have mercy on him) relates: We passed by a newly-dug grave with Abū Hurayra. Abū Hurayra said:
"–The two rakʿas of prayer, which you consider insignificant and perform lightly, are more beloved and valuable to me here (in the grave) than your entire world." (Ibn Abī Shayba, al-Muṣannaf, VII, 126/34702)
Yūnus ibn Ḥalbas, while passing by the Damascus cemetery at noon on a Friday, heard a voice:
"–O people of the living! You perform ḥajj, ʿumra, and pray five times a day. You have the opportunity to act, but you do not know the terrifying states of the Hereafter. We, on the other hand, have come to know the reality of the Hereafter with certainty, but we no longer have the opportunity to act!"
In response to this warning, Yūnus turned and greeted the deceased; however, he received no reply. When he learned that the reason for not receiving a reply was that it would have brought him reward, he realized he had missed that opportunity.
Life is a limited blessing granted to us to attain happiness in the Hereafter; it has neither repetition nor compensation. Therefore, before the opportunity slips away, we must fill every moment of life with righteous deeds. For, times that do not contain Allah's pleasure and are not invested for the Hereafter mean eternal loss.
Worldly life is as short as the brief duration of the month of Ramaḍān. For this reason, just as we see Ramaḍān as an opportunity for spiritual gain, we should also see our lives in the same way.
The Understanding of Life and Accountability of the Friends of God
The friends of God (awliyāʾ), whom we can take as examples in valuing the capital of life through worship, are so alert that even if they were told they would die tomorrow, they would increase their worship. Nevertheless, they constantly feel a sense of deficiency and even attribute the heedlessness in society to themselves, holding themselves accountable.
The following lines from a letter of ʿAbdullāh ad-Dahlawī (may Allah have mercy on him) beautifully summarize this state:
"We came to the garden of the world to pick roses, but alas, we gathered thorns. We were given health, well-being, and comfort, yet we fell short in gratitude. Two great blessings were bestowed upon us: the Noble Qur'an and the Prophet, the Messenger of God (peace be upon him), yet we remained heedless in gratitude. With what face will we be accepted tomorrow in the presence of Allah and His Messenger? With such unworthiness, attaining intercession and forgiveness is very difficult! We can only hope for the mercy of Allah Most High, which surpasses His wrath… Otherwise, we have no excuse and no face to plead!"
Death lies in ambush above our heads, and the Resurrection is near. How many good deeds have we performed? The righteous servants will enter Paradise and attain eternal blessings; the heedless will be occupied for thousands of years on the Day of Reckoning with matters for which we will be held to account.
Let us reflect well on our lives, so that there is no regret tomorrow. May Allah grant us the ability, as His beloved servants do, to rise at dawn, shed tears, and strive in worship and servitude."
[1] Imām al-Ghazālī, Mukāshafat al-Qulūb, p. 166.