Proper Utilization of
This Life
A purposeful life is one in which one has faith, i.e., accepts the reality of life, abstains from the sinful, engages in virtuous deeds and shares one’s discovery with others.
Chapter 103 of the Quran states: “I swear by the passage of time, 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.” (103:1-3)
Every human being is born at a particular point in time. With the passage of time, his age keeps increasing until he reaches that point which is the last stage of his life. Then his death becomes imminent. This nature of human life tells us that only that person is successful who is able to make good use of his time before his death. Otherwise, his period of life will pass and finally he will have nothing to his credit.
At every moment a person is advancing towards his death. This means that if one does not make the best of the time which is still left to him, he will finally face total destruction. In order to be successful, a person has to exert himself, while to be a failure, he has to do nothing, except rush headlong towards it.
A venerable gentleman tells us that he understood the meaning of this chapter of the Quran from an ice vendor who was shouting in the market, ‘O, people! Have mercy on one whose assets are melting away!’ On hearing this cry, the gentleman said to himself that just as the ice melts away to nothing, similarly the lifespan given to a person is fast passing away. If the existing opportunities are lost in inaction or in evil action, this is one’s loss. (Imam al-Razi, Al-Tafsir al-Kabir, v. 32, p. 278)
One who utilizes his time properly is one who adopts three courses in the present world. The first is that of faith, which means to become conscious of the reality of life, and show willingness to accept it. The second is that of virtuous deeds, which is engaging in activities required to be done as a matter of religious duty and abstaining from what is sinful. The third is sharing with people one’s discovery of the higher reality. This follows upon such a deep realization of the Truth that the concerned person feels eager to enlighten others with it.
Patience is necessary for leading a successful life in this world. When a person forsakes all those things which go against his belief only then is he able to receive the blessings of faith. When he applies the brake to his desires, only then is it possible for him to engage in virtuous action. Only when a person is patient during unpleasant experiences, is he able to exhort others to accept the truth.
