sad today :(

nay, it will never be easy
all that you seek in this world
peace n tranquility
comfort n authenticity
all of it...will only be
found in Dar-al-kuld.
so be persistent n patient
oh you who is seeking it in this world.

First Muharram (read bold words)

I saw the rising moon tonight. Beautiful masha'allah. The new year has indeed lots of promises...and Baraka. In retrospective, the past year has been quite challenging. But its sweetness lies in the struggle, strive. We all fall, lose, get lost, gain more... always keep in mind the Ayah "Wa lazina Jahadu fina, lanahdeyenehum Subulana" = 'those who strive, in our cause, we'll surely guide them' (Surat Ankabut: 69).

So, the bottom line of anything is never giving up and in the greater scheme of things...well, one might as well be dead! So take your vital signs for a blessing and keep striving in that you deem worthy.

I am truly looking forward to the days ahead...psyched about starting my classes (who would have thought?!). Taking a break and re-considering where one is leading is very essential...helps sort out priorities and motives behind actions. So what more is there ever left to say, but Praise the One and Only?

Once a number of Sahaba were sitting and talking to each other. They started to mention what they are grateful for...one mentioned health, the other faith, the other family...one of them though said "I am grateful that my Lord is none but Allah". That, dear all, requires a reflection.

Peace & Blessings...
with endless prayers to all in Gaza (Oh, You who see and hear
bless us with your Mercy & Peace)

Hikmet

"Will you hate me?"

(Masha'allah, this is one of the very BEST lyrics, poem, I've ever read. Of course you can enjoy listening to Dawud Wharnsby sing it. But just take a few minutes to re-read this...it speaks of my current state really. That is the bottom line.)

You smile in the two- way mirror of my eyes
I put on my faith like I wear a disguise
You can’t see my soul
See the life that I live
Show you the mask of the best I can give
I’ve hid here afraid like a child behind
Truth of my thoughts that clutter my mind.
What if you knew about all that I do?
Things that I think,
The me that is true.

Would you call me a hypocrite?
Call me a liar?
Would you curse out my name?
Would you damn me to fire?
Would you know what to say?
Or would you just walk away?
Afraid the me I’ve tried to hide
Would too closely resemble the truth of you that lies inside?

I’ve been looking for answers since becoming adult
Not looking for dogma to live like a cult
I’ve been looking to live,
I’ve been living to find
Freedom from cages that limit my mind.

-- -- --

Will I scare you, upset you, frustrate you, irate you?
Challenge a lifestyle or weaken your trust
Or will you see my efforts and my passionate sincerity
Would you see just a little of yourself in me
Will you take off your mask so we can both be free.

Hamd

"ALL PRAISE IS DUE TO ALLAH, THE LORD OF THE WORLDS"

Part IV: Time Management in the Prophetic tradition

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful

(Here is the last part of time management from a Prophetic tradition. In the following posts, God willing, we'll discuss about Health and time management)

Regular/scheduled activities

Regular prayer times form the framework around which all other regular activities are scheduled. Two aspects of the Prophet’s daily schedule were (1) the same activities were scheduled in the same time period every day, and (2) each activity has a designated time limit.

Regular daily prayers are ordered by God at specific times [Qur’an 4/103] and the start and end times for each prayer were taught to the Prophet Muhammad by the Archangel Gabriel. In authentic Prophetic traditions, we learn that Jibreel asked the Prophet Muhammad to join him in performing each prayer at the beginning of the time period. The next day, they performed each prayer at the very end of the end of the period that was dedicated to that prayer. The prophet said “The best deeds in God’s sight are the prayer that is performed in time” [Bukhari, Muwaqit al-Salat; Muslim, Iman]. While the beginning time for each prayer period is preferred, the prayer can be done anytime between theses limits. It is easy to see that regular observation of these prayer times give a person a high level of time consciousness.

Various accounts of the Prophet’s daily life tell us that he was very careful in the observation of his daily schedule. We understand this particularly from the observation that when the Prophet changed his schedule, it was a cause for worry in the community. For instance, one companion relates: “The messenger of God (upon whom be peace and blessings) left his home at a time when normally nobody saw him outside.” [Usd al-Gaba 1/168]. Another one is: “The messenger of God (upon whom be peace and blessings) ascended the pulpit. He was never seen on the pulpit except on Fridays before. “ [Ibn Maja]

Night activities

The narrations from his companions tell us that the Prophet used to divide his night into three segments. One segment was dedicated to worship, one to his family, and one segment to his personal matters. At times, he is seen as giving his personal time to his community in meeting with them and trying to address their needs.

The prophet was observed to halt his daily activities after sunset [Mustadrak: 3/461]. This does not mean, however, that he rested for the reminder of the evening; he sometimes held meetings after evening or night prayer. As a general principle, he did not like sleeping before night prayer or talk after it [Bukhari, Mawaqit, 13/23]. His wife Aisha (may God be pleased with her) reports that the Prophet, upon whom be peace and blessings used to sleep during the early part of the night and wake up for worship during the later part [Ibn Maja, Iqama, 182]. On exceptional circumstances, the Prophet was observed to stay awake and deal with community affairs until late hours of the night.

The night stances (qiyam al-layl), the hours he spent in worship, reflection and prayers all occupy an important place in the Prophet’s life. He is reported to have spent on average between 2/3 to ¾ of each night in worship, remembrance, reflection, and supplication. This corresponds to a period of 4 to 7 hours each night, depending on the season. He explains this emphasis on night prayers in the following way:”God descends to the first heaven of the earth every night and announces, ‘Is there anyone who repents; I will forgive, is there anyone who prays; I will accept,’ and this continues until early dawn” [Usd al-Gaba 6/91].

Daytime activities

The prophet prohibited his companions from sleeping after the morning prayer. He used to stay at the mosque until sunrise and have group conversations with his companions. The subjects of these conversations were both religious as well as entertaining, for example, poetry would be read or the dreams of the previous night would be related. It is understood that these hours were spent in a felicitous way, with companions laughing at times and the Prophet smiling [Nisai, Sahw, 98, Muslim, Ruya, 23]. The prophet underlines the significance of these hours held for him with the following saying: “sitting together with a group of companions and remembering God with them after the morning prayer until the sun rise is more valuable to me than fighting in the cause of God. The same is true for the hours after the afternoon prayer before sunset” [usd al-Gaba 2/466].

Following the conversation with his companions, the Prophet would then spend time with his family. On days when he was not fasting, he would have breakfast during this period. He is known to have eaten two meals each day, a late breakfast and a dinner. Towards noon, he would take a nap and encourage others to do the same, as it would help them to stay awake at night for prayers. After the noon prayers came the time for community matters. The afternoon prayer was followed by time for the family once again.

Peace & Blessings

Hikmet

Part III: Time Management in the Prophetic tradition

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful
(here is the second part of the prophetic tradition from a time management perspective. It is my hope that all of us take heed of his ways, Salla allahu Aleyhi Wa salaam)

Guidance of a mission

After receiving the divine call, the life of the Prophet Muhammad was focused on living and conveying the message. His ultimate goal was to fulfill his mission as a servant and messenger of God. This involved two aspects: on the personal front a spiritual ascension towards the state of being a perfect human (insane-i kamil) as a servant of God and on the social front sharing the faith and practicing conduct that was pleasing God and others. His values and priorities were shaped completely by the scripture. In his farewell sermon during his last pilgrimage, he is reported to have asked the present audience, which numbered in the ten thousands: “Do you bear witness that I have fulfilled my mission as God’s messenger?” Of course the answer was a resounding yes, accompanied by tears [Gulen 2000].

Weekly time policy

Designate specific days of the week for specific projects and activities. In stronger prophetic tradition, the Prophet was heard to say, “Seek knowledge on every Monday” [Fayz al-Qadr 1/543]. Other prophetic sayings emphasize the importance of Friday as a day of festivity and the early part of Friday as the time to clean the body and care for one’s clothing. Another established prophetic tradition is to fast voluntarily on Mondays and Thursdays. From the observations of his companions it has been firmly established that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, established a weekly schedule with preferred activities on each day.

Daily time policy

The most detailed information about the time management of Prophet Muhammad is available concerning his daily schedule. Two types of activities occupied his time: the spontaneous (un-programmed) activities and the regular (programmed) activities. The spontaneous activities included giving an audience to an envoy or a representative group, the meeting of an urgent need or helping a stranger who spontaneously sought help. Such activities were accommodated within the time slots that were not dedicated to programmed activities. Furthermore, if a representative body were to arrive in Medina for a one-off meeting, then it would be scheduled at the first available time. However, if the group was to stay in Medina for a while, then the meeting with this group was included in the regular plan of activities. An example of such accommodation can be seen in the case of the representative group from the tribe of Thaqif. As the group was to stay in Medina for a while the Prophet visited them and talked with them after each night prayer. When one evening he delayed his visit, the group asked him: “O Messenger of God, you did not come at the time you used to come today; you were late, what is the reason for this?” [Usd al-Gaba 1/168]

Peace & Blessings

Part II: Time Management in the Prophetic tradition

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful
(As promised I will be posting, in the following four days, the four parts of time management strategies.)

Curtsey of The Fountain: Time Management in the life of the Prophet Muhammad

Four peinciples emerge as we examine the life of the Prophet Muhammad from a time management perspective [Canan 1994].

1. Appreciation of the value of time and, consequently, making the best use of every piece of available time.

2. The guidance of a mission, a set of values, and priorities in planning every activity.

3. Establishment of a time policy or a time budget.

4. The scheduling and completion of activities within allocated time slots.

Now we will give examples of how these principles were put to practice in the prophetic tradition.

Appreciation of the value of time

The value of time is emphasized in many verse of the Qur’an and in many prophetic sayings. In particular, God swears by time at the beginning of the chapter Asr in the Qur’an, meaning “time through the ages” or “afternoon:. It is the general opinion of the interpreters of the Qur’an that such reference are intended to draw attention to those concepts and emphasize their importance. The remaining two verses of this short chapter reinforce this view: “1. By the (token of ) time (through the ages)! 2. Verily man is in a state of loss. 3. Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to steadfastness.” Another oath is to be found at the beginning of Chapter 93, Ad-Dooha or “the morning hours”: (1) By the morning hours, (2) And by the night when it is still.”

In the prayer books attributed to the Prophet Muhammad we see that there are prayers for every occasion [Gulen 2000]. Examples include prayers for beginning an activity, beginning a meal, ending a meal, leaving for a journey, returning from a journey, during the journey, looking in a mirror, during ill health, for rain, against excessive rain, against cold or extreme heat, when entering or exiting a bathroom, and countless others. From these prayers we learn that there is almost no time slot in te Prophet’s life that was not occupied with a useful activity or a prayer. It was obvious on one occasion that the Prophet refused to greet a person who was sitting idly. He greets the very same person on his way back upon seeing them occupied with an activity. The following prophetic saying summarizes his attitude: “the majority of humanity is at a loss as they do not recognize the value of two of God’s gifts: Health and (discretionary) time.” [Bukhari, Riqaq].

Hikmet

Peace & Blessings