The Token of Time

By Zartasha Zainab

Time is one of the greatest workings of Allah (swt). It is a never-resting force, one of the creations of Allah swt of which everyone knows some, and yet no one can explain. People have attempted to visualize it using ticking clocks, or the hour glass, and yet it is best understood as persisting force. It is like any other force such as the forces of justice, or the forces of love and mercy within mothers, or the forces of order such as in gravity, the planet's orbit, the rain cycle, time also, is a natural force at work. Time also has a mission which is to to slowly deteriorate and finally destroy all that is material. It can be best explained like the wind that searched out all the doors destroying the arrogant in the time of Moses (a.s.) yet the force of time is much greater in its working and its target is everything material. The only growth that ist doesnt destroy or can catch is our spiritual achievements. 

This requires that we perfect our internal state and submit to the will of Allah swt. It is important for us to clean our intentions and sincerely, understand ourselves to the depth and deepest recesses of our soul. To strive towards and place our love, hopes, trust, fears, dependance, weaknessses and humbly have faith in Allah swt. It is important for us to constantly purify our intentions and time will not have any power to take that away from us. Our iman, is here. This internal condition is than outwardly reflected, the good works that we do, good deeds such as helping the needy, fulfilling the rights of our families, neighbors, co workers, travellers and community can withstand the blows of time. OUr good deeds and achievements are counted and taken with us eternally. Spreading knowledge and teachign truth, whether it be the Qur'an, discoveries in the miraculous signs around us in creation through science, new findings, highly reformed or enlightening information to further benefit humanity, will not fade through the passage of time. In fact, learning and expanding vocabulary is something that psychological research has shown continues to grow as a person ages. Being patient during difficult times, stressing less, staying peaceful and content and not giving into the whispers of shaitan has the power to withstand the blows of times. Staying constant and persistant, having a goal and striving daily, doing homework regularly, following schedules and committing to tasks without delays, laziness or giving up or changing your mind in between, can also withstand the blows of time. 

The Qur'an states "By the token of time, verily man is in loss, except such as have faith, do righteous deeds, and join together in the mutual teachings of truth, and of patience and of constancy" (Surah Asr). This should open our eyes to the reality around us. It shows that we are losing in our bargain against time if we are merely attending to our material gains. We should discard all bad habits such as laziness, music, idleness, feasting and excessive shopping. If we were to chase after, strive towards or make our direction in life and goals for material things, we would be like thirsty beings chasing after a fading mirage in a sandy desert and only find nothing. It should bring us to the realization that every morning we awaken, it is a blessing and with a purpose. Our attention should be towrds accomplishing that which will be ever lasting and beneficial to yourself and those around you. This can be in a wide range of careers with good will or iman including teaching, healing, counselling, justice and order order. Further to remain focused, persistant and patient in tryign to achieve them to the best of our ability and most efficient us of our time. It's our only surviaal. 

May Allah swt allow us all to win the race against time!