DON’T CONCERN YOURSELF WITH UNNECESSARY MATTERS
Today, we find ourselves exposed to a wide range of information outlets waiting to distract us from key priorities. Between the Internet, satellite TV and various forms of staying connected, we can end up wasting useful time soaking our minds with information that we usually can do without. While a lot of such information may satiate our curiosities and gossipy habits, they take up valuable time and drain our energies – both of which can instead be used to gain the right knowledge, fulfill our responsibilities, and in taking useful actions.
Remember what the prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“From the perfection of a person’s Islam is that he leaves alone that which does not concern him.”
[Reported From Abu Hurairah (R.A.) – Tirmidhee (no.2318) and others]
So, as various media channels provide us with the opportunity to get plugged in to a world of information and knowledge, we must become selective in its use based on what benefits us.
DON’T FORGET THE DAILY REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH
Many of us make the mistake of taking advice about remembering Allah as merely a spiritual one and seeing no connection with the real world. Instead, we should remind ourselves that our success in this life (related to our work, earnings, family, health, etc.) is tied to the remembrance of Allah (in prayers and at other times as well during the day).
Consider what Allah tells us in the Quran:
“…and seek the Bounty of Allah, and remember Allah much, that you may be successful”
(part of the verse of Surah al-Jumu’ah 62:10)
In another verse, He (SWT) says:
“O you who beleive! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whosoever does that, then they are the losers.”
(Al-Munafiqoon 63:9)
The Prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) also said:
“Should I not inform you of the best of deeds, and the most sanctifying of deeds before your Lord, which does more to raise your positions (with Him), and is better for you than the disbursement of gold and money, or battle with the enemy?”
They (the companions) said: “Indeed inform us.”
He (S.A.W.S) then said:
“Remembrance of Allah.”
[Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, 5/459; Ibn Maajah, 2/1245]
Taking the time to pause often and reassessing of how we use our time can help us refocus, reprioritize and reenergize. It can also prevent us from going to extremes where we focus on certain priorities of life more than others. It is thus time to reflect these principles in our actions and accomplishments.
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