How can I live a purposeful life?
How can I make the best use of this limited world?
What activities should I include in my time management plan?
Many of us regret not having a clear plan or routine in our lives, and our main concern is wishing we had a structured schedule to organize our days, weeks, months, and even years. We often wonder what tasks should be included in our work schedule and what should take priority.
When we refer to religious texts, we realize that our great leaders have thoughtfully planned for such matters and have provided us with solutions to this concern. They have also clarified the proper balance of worldly enjoyment.
In this regard, Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him) says:
“Strive to divide your time into four parts:
- An hour for conversing with Allah
- A part for your livelihood (securing means of living)
- An hour for companionship with brothers and trustworthy individuals who point out your flaws and wish you well
- An hour for indulging in lawful pleasures, for it is through this time that you will find the strength to perform the other three tasks.”
…Set aside some time for worldly benefit, and through this, seek help in fulfilling religious duties. For it is narrated that: ‘Whoever abandons religion for the sake of his worldly life is not one of us’.”[1]
Indeed, Imam al-Kadhim (peace be upon him), by dividing time into activities that must be balanced, categorizes them into four areas: worship, work, self-improvement, and leisure and relaxation. With this categorization, it is as if he has shown us the path and clarified that all the activities we do in life should fall into one of these four categories.
He also teaches us that this balance in planning ensures that we can enjoy the world and its blessings while continuing to progress on the path of worshiping Allah.
(Adapted from the book “Tuhaf al-Uqoul” by Ibn Shobah Harani (with some additions))
Footnote:
[1] Tuhaf al-Uqoul, p. 410