The Time is a Witness

I swear by the declining day that perdition shall be the lot of man, except for those who have faith and do good works; who exhort each other to truth and fortitude.

(The Quran 103:1-3)

Man, born to live a specific number of years, increases in age until he reaches the final stage of his life, the final limit. Then he dies. The inevitability of this event tells us that only that person is successful who is able in a proper manner to avail of the limited period allotted to him in this world; of one who does not, the time will irrevocably pass, and nothing will fall to his lot but frustration and repentance.

Every moment man is heading towards his death. What does this mean? It means that if he fails to avail of the time allotted to him, his ultimate fate will be a state of deprivation. To turn his life into a success story, man has to act himself, while for failure no action is required. Failure is heading towards him on its own.

A saintly person once observed that he had learnt the meaning of this chapter from an ice vendor, who was calling out aloud in the market: ‘O people, have mercy on one whose goods are melting continuously! O people, have mercy on one whose goods are melting continuously!’ On hearing this call, it came to his mind that the way the ice was reducing in size at every moment, the lifespan given to man was similarly reducing in length. Thus, if the opportunity to act is not availed of properly by engaging oneself in good actions or inaction, this is man’s real loss. (Imam Razi, Tafsir Kabir)

Time is put to the proper use by one who gives proof of three things in the present world. One is Faith, that is, consciousness of reality and its recognition; the second is just actions, that is, doing what should be done and refraining from what should not be done; the third is enjoining upon others truth, justice and patience.

It is only the deep perception of reality which will turn a man into a missionary and a preacher of truth. Patience is a necessity to succeed in this world. Only when a man has the will to renounce all those things which go against faith, does he receive the blessings of faith. Only when he applies a break to his desires, is it possible for him to adopt the path of virtue. Only when a man himself remains patient in unpleasant situations, is he able to exhort others to Truth and Justice.