One of the things we all struggle with it is whether or not we are using our time wisely.  We know we are to be like a traveler in this world who has just stopped under a tree for some rest, yet we find ourselves constantly drawn into the dunya and the pleasures of this life.

Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad (damat barakatuhum) would often begin many of his talks with the Quranic Ayah “As for those who strive in Our way, surely We will guide them to Our paths“.  This ayah is one of the best litmus tests to determine whether or not we are using our time wisely.

We were put into this world to struggle; to struggle against our lower self, to struggle against shaytan and to struggle against allowing the dunya to penetrate our hearts.  And this is what most of us go through - we struggle just to pray 5 times a day, we struggle to make it to jumuah on time, we struggle to hold our tongue, we struggle to keep good company, to respect our parents, to hold back our egos, etc.

But what we don’t realize is that is the whole point.  The ease will come in the next life, when we are all in Jannah with the Prophets and the Sahaba, but in this life, we need to exert ourselves, we need to put all of our effort in rectifying our situation, our relationship with Allah Most High.

And we do this for the dunya.  After all, who hasn’t pulled an all-nighter for finals?  Who hasn’t woken up at 3am to pick up a friend from the airport?  Who hasn’t stood in line to get the latest gadget or concert ticket or movie ticket or starbucks coffee?

If you look back at the ayah, it is the one who struggles who gets guided - meaning we need to make some effort first, after which Allah  Most High accepts that and then shows us His paths.  And this is His promise to us.

So the next time you are unsure whether you are using your time wisely, just ask yourself whether that activity brings you under the fold of “Those who strive in Our way.“