Consider The Precious Moments Of Our Lives
Sheikhul Hadith Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Sahib رحمه الله writes in Fazā’il-e-Sadaqāt that we examine the purpose for what we have been created for. Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Qur’ān:
وما خلقت الجن والانس الا ليعبدون
‘I created the Jinn and humankind only that they may obey me.’
(Az-Zāriyaat:56)
Hazrat Sheikh رحمه الله has said that we should consider how many precious moments of our lives are being spent on the occupations for which we have been created for (on the struggle to achieve the aim and objective of life); and how much time is being spent on the so-called necessities of life, recreations and other pursuits that bear no relation to the real purpose of life.
Hazrat Sheikh رحمه الله gives an example that suppose you employ a builder to do some work; it is only natural that you will note the time he spends on the construction work and the time wasted in smoking or taking meals, etc. So, it is only fair that you allow for yourself only the same concessions as you deem fit for your subordinates.
Take another example; a person is employed at your business but he is absent most of the time doing his own household work and attends to the shop only for a short time – will you give him his full pay? If not, then what excuse can you offer for your own behaviour in respect of your commitments to Allah Ta’ala? You have been created that you obey Allah Ta’ala constantly. He is your Lord and Creator; you are being showered with blessings every moment of your life but yet you waste time in idle pursuits, beguiling yourself that your performance of Salaah should suffice. Consider, will you tolerate such a reply from your servants?
It is the sheer mercy of Allah Ta’ala that He has not made it obligatory for us to devote all our time to His worship. He has enjoined upon us to devote only a fraction of our time for it. How unjust of us that we are negligent of our duties unto Him?
The need of the hour is for every individual to realise that we are soon to leave this world. Each person will need to account for every moment of life. The following āyah is very clear in the defining our values:
افحسبتم انما خلقناكم عبثا وانكم الينا لاترجعون
‘Did you think that We had created you in jest, and that you would not be brought back to Us (for rendering an account of your life)?
(al-Mu’minūn:115)
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the tawfeeq to understand what is required of us and that we be blessed to prioritise those things which will be of assistance to us in the Aakhirah.
