The Muslimah and her time.
The importance of time, and the ways to preserve it's blessings. (Barakah)
The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu `alayhi wa salam, said, "The best actions are continuous ones even if little..." [Muslim]
A huge concerns I hear from many of us is making good use of our time. It seems the hours run away from us and that there isn't enough time in our days for anything. One thing we must consider is how we spend our time. This takes a truthful and honest inspection of our selves and how we spend our time to answer this.
The Quran tells us, "So glory be to Allah when you enter the night and when you rise in the morning - unto Him be praise in the heavens and on the earth! - and at the sun's decline and in the noon." [Ar Rum 30:17,18]
We are created to worship Allah, so our first question must be are we making our salat? Salat times are spread throughout the waking time of our day. Although it would seem unreasonable to add another thing to do to our day when we are feeling short of time, your day will be blessed by doing so. You will begin to find more barakah (blessings) in your time by offering your prays at their appointed times. Be consistent in your prayer and do not give up. It takes a conscious effort to change bad habits, so do not get discouraged and listen to the waswas (whispers) of the shaytan. The shaytan loves nothing more than to see you down about your life. Guilt from not having performed your prayers will also affect you. Missing prayer is a major sin in Islam, and for a Muslim is akin to a crime. When we commit this crime by missing our prayers, we are psychologically affected with thoughts of guilt and our self esteem is effected. Install an adhan player on your computer and keep your speakers on. Have each member of the family contribute to encouraging salat in the home. Do whatever it takes to get your prayers in and work to do them on time every day.
The Quran also says, "O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that, then they are among the losers. And spend from that which we have provided you before death comes to one of you, and he says, 'My Lord! If you could give me respite for a little while then I should give charity and be among the righteous.' Allah grants respite to none when his appointed time comes. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do." [Al Munafiqoon 63: 9 - 11]
How many things divert us of the more important things in our lives? Lengthy unimportant phone calls which often lead us to other sins, too much time in front of the TV, spending time on the Internet for things that do not benefit us, spending excessive amounts of time in shopping malls, too much importance in the material things, too much time and attention on our outer self and not enough on the inner self. These are some of the major causes of wasted time for women. It is important not only to prioritize your day, but also to be moderate and regulate time spent doing activities so that we can commit ourselves in a well rounded way to our homes and family as well as to ourselves and our worship of Allah. (which encompass all good things you do for yourself and your family).
The Prophet (PBUH) said "There are two favors of Allah, and in them most people are deceived: good health and leisure time." As a healthy person cannot imagine what it feels like to be sick, we don't realize that our time is not going to last, until the moment of death.
We women are famous at ignoring ourselves to care for others. Although caring for others is one of the most critical and important jobs Allah has given us, don't work to the extent that it runs you down, exhausts you and literally puts you in hell by ignoring your religious obligations. Those who love us would not want us to that to ourselves. It is important to set limitations on our family's so that we can also take care of our needs. You will be a better Muslimah, wife and mother for doing so.
Lastly, we want to be productive members of our family's, society and faith. Consider every action you take throughout your day as an act of worship. Ask yourself if what you are doing is pleasing to Allah or not? This continuous reflection will help to keep you alert to the things that are most important to you.
Thikr (remembrance) of Allah throughout our day softens the heart and before you know it, inshallah you will begin to see your blessings.
Badreya
