3. TIME IS LIKE A SWORD, IF YOU DO NOT CUT IT, IT WILL CUT YOU
I noticed that the vast majority of people deal with time (‘zaman) in a strange way: If the night is long, they spend it in useless talk, or in reading novels. If the day is long, they spend most of it sleeping and hanging out on the banks of the Tigris River or staying in the markets. I find their example similar to some people on a sailing ship without realising that since they are too busy having vain discussions.
I have found few people who understood the meaning of [their] existence; they spend their times acquiring the needed supplies and always preparing for the journey they are about to embark (after death).
Their endeavours differ however based on their level of knowledge {‘ilm) and the size of their investment in the land they are departing to (in the Hereafter).
Those who are alert and awake look for worthy matters that matter in the afterlife and pack a lot of them so that their profit increases. And those oblivious take with them whatever’s unnecessary as they could not care less; they might even travel without a guard [i.e. knowledge]; hence when confronted with thieves they are deprived of all what they have, and end up finding themselves broke.
Take advantage of the seasons of your life and do not waste time! Use knowledge film) and wisdom (hikmah) as guides. Race the time by taking advantage of it; and hold your ‘selves’ accountable and take a lot of good deeds to survive your journey for indeed death is about to knock on your doors.
(Source: al-Hafiz Abu’l-Faraj ibn al-jawzl [d. 597AH] “CAPTURED THOUGHTS being” a translation of his masterpiece ‘Sayd al-K hatir)
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