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