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Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam said:
On the Day of Resurrection, the feet of the son of Adam will be powerless to move away (from the place of reckoning) till he is questioned about five matters (and gives a reasonable account):
1) On what he spent he spent his life
2) In what pursuits he passed his youth
3) Whence he procured his wealth
4) On what he spent it
5) What he did regarding the knowledge he possessed
(Tirmidhi)
Hadhrat Moulana Zakariyya Rahmatullahi Alaihi comments on this Hadith saying:
Everybody will have to render an account of his entire lifetime, every second of which is a valuable asset for man. He will be required to answer the question:
In what pursuits did you spend your life?
What were we created for?
Is there any serious purpose, any important motive behind the creation of mankind?
Or, were they created for nothing?
Allah Ta’laa admonishes His men to take this seriously:
“Deemed you then that We had created you in jest (for nothing) and that you would not be returned to US (for rendering an account of your life)?
al-Mu’minun: 115
What is more, Allah Ta’laa Himself has, at another place in al-Quraan al-A’theem explained the purpose for which this life was created:
I created the Jinn and humankind only that they may obey Me
(az-Zariyat:56)
So everybody should consider and see how many precious moments of his (or her) lifetime are being spent on the occupations for which he was created by Allah Ta’laa– on the struggle to achieve the aim and object of his life– and how much time is being spent on the so called necessities of life, recreations and other pursuits that bear no relation in the real purpose of his life.
Employing a Builder
Suppose you employ a builder to do some construction work. You will naturally take notice of the time he spends on construction and the time wasted in smoking or taking meals, etc. So it is only fair that allow yourself only the same concessions as you deem fit for your subordinates.
Employee at your Shop
Take the case of a person employed at your shop whom you pay for this service. If the man remains away most of the time, doing his own household work and attends to the shop only for a short time at long job–intervals, would you like to give him his full pay? If not, then what excuse can you offer for your own behaviour in respect of your commitments to Allah Ta’laa, Who created you only that you might obey Him constantly. He is your Sustainer and showers His blessings on you all the time, but you waste your time in idle pursuits, beguiling yourself with the belief that your performing the Salaat regularly should suffice.
PLEASE CONSIDER WHETHER YOU WOULD TOLERATE SUCH A REPLY FROM YOUR SERVANTS?
It is sheer mercy and benevolence of Allah Ta’laa that He has not made it obligatory for us to devote all our time to His worship. He has enjoined upon us to devote only a fraction of our time for it.
HOW UNJUST OF US IS THAT WE ARE NEGLIGENT OF OUR OTHER DUTIES TO HIM?
