Importance of Time The Sunday Guardian | August 29, 2010 | Page 14
Al-Asr (The Time) is the chapter hundred and three of the Quran. It is a relatively short chapter. Its translation is as follows: “Time is a witness, that man is surely in a state of loss, except for those who believe and do good deeds and exhort one another to hold fast to the truth, and who exhort one another to steadfastness.” (103:1-2)
In this chapter the Quran refers to time. What is time? Time is a passing phenomenon; it is always in a state of travel. Time is beyond your control, you can never stop time. In making this reference, the Quran gives a very important lesson, one which is important for everyone. This lesson is: take time as an opportunity. Avail of time before it passes away forever. If you miss the train of time, you will never be able to catch it again. Al-Razi, one the commentators of the Quran says: “I was pondering over the meaning of this Quranic verse while I was in Baghdad. Why does the Quran say that time is a witness for man? Then I heard the voice of an ice vender. He was calling out to people, ‘O people, purchase my goods before they melt away and vanish.’ The phenomenon of ice successfully explains this Quranic verse. Everyone’s life is like a melting piece of ice. Everyone is constantly losing his time. By these verses, the Quran warns every human being to avail of time."
In other words, with these verses the Quran tells us the importance of time management. Time management is a must for everyone. We have a very short time here on this earth. In only a few years’ time, we will face death. Everyone should undertake a serious planning of his time in order to avail properly of his pre-death period.