How Do I Manage My Time from a Quranic Perspective?

Time management is a crucial art for human prosperity in this world and the Hereafter, and the Holy Quran addresses this topic with profound and comprehensive insight. From a Quranic perspective, time is not merely a collection of hours and minutes; rather, it is a divine trust and the greatest capital of humanity, where every moment holds unparalleled value and must be utilized in the best possible way. This perspective forms the fundamental basis of time management from a Quranic viewpoint. One of the most central teachings of the Quran in this regard is the concept of 'accountability' for one's life and time. Every moment of our lives is being recorded, and one day we will be questioned about how we utilized this immense capital. Surah Al-Asr, by swearing an oath by time, explicitly states that humanity is in loss, except for those who use their lifetime for faith, righteous deeds, enjoining truth, and enjoining patience. These verses present a comprehensive picture of Quranic time management: time that is not accompanied by faith, righteous deeds, and social commitments (enjoining truth and patience) leads to loss. Therefore, the first step in time management is to understand this responsibility and value every moment of life. The Quran also emphasizes the 'prioritization' of duties and activities. The life of a believer is purposeful, with divine pleasure and seeking the Hereafter as the highest priorities. This prioritization does not mean neglecting worldly matters but rather seeing worldly life in the light of the Hereafter. Our activities should be aimed at drawing closer to Allah and serving creation. Within this framework, obligatory acts of worship like Salat (prayer), which have specific times, themselves constitute a form of planning and organization for the daily schedule. The Quran states: “Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a book [to be observed at] fixed times.” (An-Nisa: 103). This indicates that order and punctuality in performing the most important duty are fundamental and should extend to all other matters. 'Earning a lawful livelihood' and 'striving for sustenance' are also highly emphasized in the Quran and are considered part of time management. Numerous verses encourage humans to work and strive to meet their own and their families' needs. However, this work should not prevent the performance of worship or lead to forgetting the Hereafter; rather, it should be done with the intention of gaining divine pleasure and serving the family. For example, the verses regarding Friday (Al-Jumu'ah: 9-10) instruct believers to disperse throughout the land seeking Allah's bounty after the Friday prayer is concluded. This itself teaches a balance and planning between worship and worldly activities. The Quran also stresses 'avoiding idleness and wasting time.' A true believer is one who turns away from vain talk and idle pursuits and does not spend their time on what is unprofitable. Engaging in what leads to heedlessness of God's remembrance and missing opportunities is condemned from a Quranic perspective. This means that every activity should have a constructive and legitimate purpose and contribute to individual or societal growth. 'Optimal utilization of night and day' is another Quranic teaching in time management. Allah, in the Quran, has made the night for rest and tranquility and the day for striving and seeking livelihood. This natural division serves as a model for our daily planning, showing how to balance work and rest. “And it is He who made the night and the day in succession for whoever desires to remember or desires gratitude.” (Al-Furqan: 62). This verse indicates that night and day are opportunities for reflection, gratitude, and effort that should be appreciated. 'Hastening to good deeds' and 'competing in righteousness' are other Quranic principles that indirectly relate to time management. The Quran encourages believers to race in performing good deeds and seizing opportunities to draw closer to Allah. This implies not delaying good actions and utilizing every chance for benevolence, as opportunities may not repeat themselves. “So race to [all that is] good.” (Al-Baqarah: 148). This divine command requires alertness and planning to find the best time for the best deeds. Ultimately, 'balancing this world and the Hereafter' is a fundamental principle in Quranic time management. A believer not only plans for this worldly life but, with an eye on eternity, organizes their time in such a way that both their worldly and their eternal lives prosper. This balance does not mean dedicating half of one's time to this world and half to the Hereafter, but rather that all our worldly activities should be accompanied by a divine intention and an otherworldly goal. Life, from a Quranic perspective, is a field where seeds of righteous deeds are sown to bear fruit in the Hereafter. Time management in this view means intelligently and continuously sowing these seeds, without a moment of heedlessness or idleness. By adhering to these principles, a Muslim can lead a productive life that earns Allah's pleasure and leads to true success. Conclusion: Time management from a Quranic perspective is more than just a technique or method; it is a worldview that considers time a divine trust and an opportunity for growth and closeness to Allah. This approach includes accountability for every moment, prioritization based on divine pleasure, avoiding waste, optimal use of night and day, hastening to good deeds, and maintaining a balance between this world and the Hereafter. By observing these principles, a person can make the best use of their precious life and achieve salvation and success.