How to Organize Time?

Ever wonder how people are able to take out time for worship and seeking knowledge despite their busy work schedule, appointments and family commitments? 

Another successor to the Companion, ‘Ata ibn Abi Rabah understood the purpose of creation and thus was heedful of his accountability to Allah. He methodically organized his time since childhood. 

1. Born as a slave, his first concern was serving his owner. He  performed all of his chores as quickly and skillful as possible, so that none could say that he was lazy or negligent. 
2. He also reserved an equal portion of his time to worship Allah, so he could devote himself to prayer alone during this portion of the day. 
3. Finally, he reserved a portion of ihs time for learning and seeking knowledge. He sought out the remaining venerable Companions of the Prophet sallahu alyihi sallam. 

 

He reached a high level of scholarship due to two personal qualities:

1. Extraordinary  degree of self-control which never granted him an opportunity for self indulgence.
2. He was exacting in how he spent his time, and would net waste it on frivolous actions or speech.

 

Advising Muhammad ibn Suqah, he said, “When the Day of Judgement comes, should we not be ashamed to be shown the record which we have filled up with or speech, and to find that most of it has nothing to do with our religion our our needs?”

Source: Portraits (vol.1) - Abdul Rahman al Basha

For those “look” carefully!

الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَـٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Who remember Allāh while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], “Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

3:191

 

When people look carefully at the order of the universe, it becomes clear to them that it is an order permeated by wisdom and intelligent purpose. Likewise, the moral consciousness, freedom of choice, reason and discretion gifted to people is proof that people are answerable for their deeds.

 

Once traveling with a caravan, ‘Amir ibn Abdullah at Tamimi (successor to the companions) made camp when night fell. He tied his horse, collected grass and fodder for her to last the night then disappeared into the dense bushes and trees.  He kept walking until he reached a small hillock, where he the Qiblah and began to perform Salah. He performed it perfectly with total devotion and concentration. He supplicated:

My God, You have created me by Your command, and have placed in  the vanity of this world according to Your will. Then You have told me to control myself. Yet, how can I control myself if You, in Your subtle manner, do not exert control over me. You are the One with strength and firmness. My God, You know that if I possessed everything in this world, and was asked to give it all up in order to please You, I would give it to whoever requested it. I ask of You, the Most Compassionate, grant me the salvation of my soul. My God, my love for You has made it easy for me to bear any calamity, and to be satisfied with any fate. Because of my love for You, I no longer concern myself with my material condition.

 ‘Amir continued prayer throughout the night till dawn. After the morning Salah, he supplicated, “O Allah, morning has come, and everyone ahs begun to move about seeking Your bounty. Every person is in need of something. What I need from You is your forgiveness. You, Who are Most Generous, please grant my need as well as the needs of others”. Aameen. 

Source: Portraits (vol.1) - Abdul Rahman al Basha

 

 

 

a NEW opening – with Praise of Allah

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Lord of the worlds.

1:1

Many people are mistakenly impressed and awe struck by things seemingly larger and more powerful than them such as celestial bodies, mountains, snakes, etc. These people in fact worship what they think to be seemingly dangerous or unexplained phenomena, i.e. miraculous birth of Jesus, wind, water, fire etc. Fascinated by a celebrity or artist, some people devote their lives venerating the bold, blond and beautiful. Wherever there is beauty, any excellence, perfection, strength or power, in whatever thing or in whatever shape it may manifest itself, its ultimate Source, Originator and Benefactor is none other than Allah.

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