The Value of Time in Islam: A Divine Trust

Muhammad Murshid Aalam

“Take benefit of five before five…”

Rasulullah ﷺ 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."

Narrated by Ibn Abbas, reported in Mustadrak al-Hakim and others; authenticated by Al-Albani

This concise but powerful hadith strikes at the core of Islamic teachings on time management and appreciation of opportunities in life. The Prophet ﷺ, known for his concise yet deeply meaningful words, alerts the believer to recognise the value of time before it slips away, because every one of the five things mentioned is temporary and will inevitably be lost.

Time is a Blessing and a Trust

Allah ﷻ swears by time in the Quran to emphasise its value:

"By time, indeed mankind is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and advise each other to truth and patience."Surah Al-‘Asr, 103:1-3

The Mufassirun (exegetes) have pointed out that when Allah ﷻ swears by something in the Quran, it indicates its greatness.

Imam Ash-Shafi’i رحمه الله famously said:

“If people were to reflect on Surah Al-Asr alone, it would be sufficient for them.”

Why? Because it summarises the reality of time and the ultimate loss that comes from wasting it without belief, good deeds, and encouraging others toward truth and patience.

Every Second is Counted

Abu Barzah Al-Aslami رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“A servant's feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about four things: his life and how he spent it; his knowledge and how he acted upon it; his wealth and how he earned and spent it; and his body and how he used it.”Tirmidhi 2417

Time is not just passing, it is being recorded. Every moment that slips away is either for us or against us on the Day of Judgement.

The Scholars on the Value of Time

Many of the righteous predecessors (Salaf) and classical scholars deeply appreciated time:

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:

“Wasting time is worse than death, because death separates you from this world, whereas wasting time separates you from Allah.”

Al-Hasan Al-Basri رحمه الله famously said:

“O son of Adam, you are but a collection of days. Every time a day passes, a part of you has gone.”

Imam Ash-Shafi’i رحمه الله also said:

“Time is like a sword; if you do not cut it, it will cut you.”

These statements highlight that time is not a passive entity. It is something that either elevates us or consumes us.

Youth, Health, Wealth, Time, and Life

It is important for us to reflect on the five key areas the Prophet ﷺ warned us to utilise before we lose them:

1. Youth before old age

Youth is a time of energy, ambition, and strength. It is a period that often determines the direction of one’s life.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“A servant's feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about four things: his life and how he spent it; his knowledge and how he acted upon it; his wealth and how he earned and spent it; and his body and how he used it.”Tirmidhi 2417

This highlights that youth is not just a time of enjoyment but a heavy responsibility.

2. Health before sickness

When one is healthy, there is the physical ability to worship, work, seek knowledge, help others, all of which become harder when ill.

Ibn `Abbas رضي الله عنه reported:The Prophet ﷺ said:

"There are two blessings that many people are deceived into losing: health and free time."Bukhari

3. Wealth before poverty

Wealth gives the opportunity to spend in charity, support the needy, fund education and da’wah, and perform Hajj and Umrah.

4. Free time before preoccupation

In today’s age, distraction is everywhere. Free time is quickly consumed by entertainment and social media. But true believers use their moments of ease to build for the Hereafter.

5. Life before death

Perhaps the greatest reminder: life is short, and it ends at a time unknown to us. After death, deeds stop.

Allah ﷻ says:

"Until, when death comes to one of them, he says, 'My Lord, send me back that I might do righteousness in that which I left behind.' No! It is only a word he is saying..." Surah Al-Mu’minun, 23:99-100

Time in the Life of the Prophet ﷺ and the Sahabah

The Prophet ﷺ was the most efficient user of time. Every part of his day was spent in the remembrance of Allah, service to the people, and fulfilling his mission.

The Sahabah (companions) followed his path.

Sayyiduna Umar ibn Al-Khattab رضي الله عنه said:

“I dislike to see any one of you idle, not engaged in work for this world or the Hereafter.”

Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas’ud رضي الله عنه said:

“I have never regretted anything more than a day in which the sun set and my lifespan decreased, but my deeds did not increase.”

Final Reminder

Time is life. Every breath is a gift and a test. The wise are those who invest their time in what brings them closer to Allah ﷻ.

The Prophet ﷺ summarised this reality beautifully:

Abdullah bin `Umar رضي الله عنه said:

"Allah's Messenger ﷺ took hold of my shoulder and said, 'Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler."Bukhari 6416

A traveler does not waste time. They are always conscious of their destination.

Conclusion

Islam teaches us not just to value time, but to live with urgency and purpose. The Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the wisdom of scholars all point toward one truth: the seconds we waste today may become the regrets of tomorrow. So let us seize our youth, health, wealth, free time, and life before we lose them forever.

Muhammad Murshid Aalam.

Marketing Manager and Alimiyyah student of

Shaykh Faizulhaq Abdulaziz حفظه الله