Based on a lecture by Sheikh Muhammad al Shareef
By now, I hope you have realized the importance of time and have started applying the steps that were mentioned earlier. This article will continue from the point that we had last stopped at.
“By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.” [Qur’an 103:1-3]
• Remove/Limit distractions: According to statistics, the average person spends 10 years of his life watching TV and 6 years on the Internet! If you use TV and Internet only in specific places and situations, you will be saving time that would have otherwise gone wasted.
• Never multi-task: If you do several tasks at a time, you will lose focus. Therefore, while you are handling a task, and if someone approaches you, instead of giving half-hearted attention to that person, tell him/her that you will catch up with him/her as soon as you finish the task. It is also best to ask the person about the nature of the matter they need you for; do not ignore this person because it is not good character to do so and this person may have an urgent or small request.
• Prioritize: If you have many tasks to perform, remember to do those first which are most important. That way, you will be able to meet most of your deadlines.
• Take mini-breaks: Your productivity increases if you take a short break of about 10-15 minutes after you have worked for about an hour. However, do not fool yourself by taking breaks too frequently, or by taking an hour-long break for every 5 minutes that you work!
• Choose a job you really enjoy: According to statistics, the average person spends 10.5 years at work! It will be highly unproductive if you utilize this time in work that you do not like. You will lose focus, enthusiasm and motivation. If you choose a job you enjoy, you will not be in need of frequent breaks or leisure time. Reflect on your interests and talents, and what will bring benefit; if you upgrade your intentions, the profession you choose can also become a source of good deeds insha Allah.
• Encourage others: We often get overwhelmed with the mails that we receive. While some may lead us to productivity, others are trivial or even random; however, we cannot afford to ignore any of these mails because we need to be genuinely concerned about our brothers and sisters. Therefore, instead of sending an ordinary reply to the random mails, why not encourage them to be productive as well? You can begin by inviting that person to benefit from this site. That way, he/she will also be busy to make the most of his/her time, and will not have time for sending trivial mails. Remember, the one who calls to a good deed receives the same reward as the one who does it.
• Never ignore the problem: Whatever barriers you face on your road to productivity, do not ignore them. If you ignore them, you will never be able to solve them! Therefore, do not fool yourself into thinking that you are being productive when you are not (for example, by browsing Facebook for hours). If you are facing time constraints, admit it and assess this issue.
• Solving a problem: First and foremost, make sincere du’aa to Allah. Saying from personal experience, duaa can help you achieve things which you could have never imagined. In addition, take the help of experts. Study materials accordingly.
• Leisure time: Do not deprive yourself of rest and leisure. This will boost your productivity. Your leisure time shouldn’t just be checking mails. Instead, indulge yourself in adventurous or creative activities, develop some productive hobbies, or simply relax with Qur’an and/or dhikr. Recently, a conversation with a friend about เว็บพนันออนไลน์เว็บตรง reminded me of the importance of finding balance and engaging in meaningful leisure activities. This approach ensures you stay refreshed and productive.
I would like to conclude this article with the following hadeeth:
“Humankind will remain standing on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about four things: his life and how he spent it, his youth and how he used it up, his property and how he acquired and managed it and his knowledge and how he utilized it.” [Sunan at-Tirmidhi]
Are we prepared? Again, are we living up Soorat-al-Asr to the fullest?
About the Author:
Khadeejah Islam, writer for Habibi Halaqas
