Misuse of Time

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Some people perceive that they have all the time to do the things they always wanted to do, although they agree that time in this world will come to an end. As a result, they fail to internalise the importance of managing their daily activities properly.

Another thing is that the concept of time management has been adulterated by some- they bring procrastination into it. Some call it creative procrastination, when in fact, the meaning of both words 'creative' and 'procrastination' are as far as the heavens and the earth. Creativity is generated when you're not lazy, procrastination is generated when you are lazy. So how can these two words be 'together' when their causes are from directly opposite circumstances?

Coupled with various distractions which are increasingly pervasive in society (i.e. time-wasters) from the screens to forbidden relations, managing our time well is even more important and crucial to our lives, dignity, and success in this world and in the hereafter.

As a reminder, .the believers (i.e. Muslims) believe in the existence of the hereafter, and so they work towards it (in this world), as it is the final destination of mankind- Hell or Paradise. Consequently, they are enjoined to make use of their time well in this world which is pleasing to Allah, the Exalted.

How to start off to manage one of our greatest assets?

1. Set goals in life.
2. Set up a time journal (to know where you are spending time at, on a daily basis, probably for a few weeks)
3. Create timetable or a to-do list for the day, week, month, or year (such that it brings you closer to your goals in life)

I hope this was beneficial for you and me.

Oh Allah, rectify our affairs.

Regards,

Akbar Azad

EVERY.PERSON.SUCCESSFUL

Take Charge of Your Life

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Are you convinced that you are responsible for your life? That you will be in the grave alone? That you will bear your share of the consequences of your actions and no one else? That you will be questioned by your Lord and no one else? 


No one else will bear the consequences of your actions on your behalf, except you.

Therefore, take charge of your life before...

Your old age

You fall sick

You become poor

You are busy

Your death

 In a hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah grant him peace and blessings) said to a man while he was advising him: 

"Take advantage of five matters before five other matters: your youth, before you become old; and your health, before you fall sick; and your richness, before you become poor; and your free time before you become busy; and your life, before your death." (From Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him. Reported in the mustadrak of Al-Haakim, Musnad Imam Ahmad, and others, with an authentic chain of narration.)

I hope this short article was beneficial for me and you. And all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the universe. 

Regards,

Akbar Azad

EVERY.PERSON.SUCCESSFUL

Intentional Change

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Change is something everyone is aware about. One can change for the better, or for worse. 

The believer should always strive to better himself to seek the pleasure of Allah (i.e. Paradise). Such a strive includes changing the evil one has into good, praiseworthy qualities.

In this article, we will look into a theory called Intentional Change Theory (which you will be familiar with, insya Allah). The aspect which you will find difficulty in grasping are only the terms used.

Richard Boyatzis, a professor at Case Western Reserve University, developed Intentional Change Theory (ICT) as part of his work on individual and organizational change. He published it in 2006 in the Journal of Management Development.

The theory outlines five common-sense steps that you need to follow if you want to make a lasting change within yourself. These five steps are:

1. Discover your ideal self.
2. Discover your real self.
3. Create your learning agenda.
4. Experiment with and practice new habits.
5. Get support. (click here for more)

Visually, this is how it should look like:

Firstly, think where you want to be in the future (in this world and in the hereafter).

Compare that ideal self to your current self- are there differences* between the two states? If yes, then work on the differences and bridge the gap between your present self to the ideal self.

By closing up the differences, you are already on a learning agenda.

Familiarise yourself with the new (positive) changes. We as humans can fall back into our evil ways at times. Hence, we should quickly repent and seek forgiveness from Allah, the Most Merciful and Severe in punishment, coupled with regret for committing the sin, and strive to stick to the praiseworthy changes, with the willpower to never return to (commiting) the sin.

Don't forget to get help and support firstly from Allah (through supplications), and then from those whom you trust and are close with (In fact, we should get help and support throughout the change process,and not only at a later stage of change)

Remember that positive and praiseworthy changes come from Allah alone, and you (begiining with myself) should praise and give credits to Allah and not to ourselves. For if Allah wills that you do not change for the better (or change for worse), you will surely not change for good. 

Lastly, I remind myself and you to be sincere and have good noble intentions in our strive to make positive changes (i.e. pleasing Allah alone).

For more info on intentional change, please visit Mindtools.



Let's change for the better and look at how we can initiate that change.


* When comparing between our present state (in this world) with our ideal state in the hereafter (i.e. in Paradise), please note that there is a huge difference between the two states. So, what we can do is to look at the traits and qualities that qualify one for Paradise, after the mercy of Allah, and also look at those qualities that lands one into Hell, except for whomever Allah has saved from Hell. Then, we work towards attaining those praiseworthy traits and avoiding the evil traits.

A man is upon the way of his close intimate friend.