We must all remember to serve humanity in our lifetimes

I was talking with a young man the other day on just how phenomenal time is.

This young man had the wisdom to know the importance of time, and even more so, how to use time wisely. 

Time is something that cannot be contained — it is free and forever moving.

Why it seems just like yesterday, that my posse and me were celebrating our ‘sweet 16’ birthdays. Well, the other day Rosalie celebrated her sweet ?  birthday. Oops, I’d better not say if we are to remain friends!

But anyway it seems just like yesterday that we were all strutting along Nellie’s Walk coming from the Rosebank Theatre thinking we were all of that… and in essence it was a long time ago!

But so much has happened in between — we have lived our lives and hopefully we have more to live, but we certainly have lived longer then we probably will live … for sure we are in our declining years.

But with all that time, still not much has changed.

The social issues of the day have gotten a little more accelerated but for the most part they are the same. 

People still worry about the cost of living and inflation, just as I overheard my parents speaking off back in the day; food is still too costly, rents are still too costly, fuel is still too costly, and the beat goes on … without skipping a beat,  time marches on.

Even though in the interest of progress we have achieved so much, there is still so much that remains undone.

One thing is certain — the passing of time brings us to our own mortality.

Each day we are closer to the end of our journey. 

Will we have our affairs in order so that when we leave our beneficiaries get what is due them and what we would have them to have?

 I’m talking about making a Will – that document that ensures what we leave behind goes to whom and where we want it to go.

Yes, if we don’t make a will according to our liking, know that a Will will be made by others, and you don’t want that too happen — what you worked hard for may go to your most distained relative!

Both the Qur’an and the Sunnah enjoin Muslims to be conscious of time.

In Islam we are always reminded that life in this world is very temporary.

We never know when death has been appointed for us.

We must value time for the satisfaction of Allah the Almighty.

For our guidance and success, we must never waste time nor abuse it.

Ibn Abbas narrated that Prophet Mohammad said:

“There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.” (Bukhari 8/421)

Most hated by Allah the Supreme is when we abuse time.

We must remember that time must be spent to fulfill our very purpose in life — that is to worship Allah and serve humanity.

Allah says  in the Noble Qur’an:

I have only created Jinns and Men, that they may serve Me. No Sustenance do I require of them, nor do I require that they should feed Me. For Allah is He Who gives (all) Sustenance, Lord of Power, Steadfast (for ever). Qur’an (51:56-58)

But celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and be of those who prostrate themselves in adoration. And serve thy Lord until there come unto thee the Hour that is certain (ie. death). Qur’an (15:98-99).

Ameen