Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied, and your life before your death. (Al-Bukhari, 40)
In a nutshell, Islam is all about being a productive member of the society. Always moving forward and leaving no room for procrastination. So while you are at it, use your youth, health, wealth, free time and life in the most fruitful way.
A More Productive You
When you manage your time efficiently you will start to see results. If you are caught up in the same routine everyday and neither you nor those around you are evolving, then you are just busy.
However, if you are getting closer to God and new things are being learned and you are touching the hearts and minds of your family and community, you are reaping the fruits of productivity.
The reason to manage time is to balance spiritual and physical activities during the busy days. Time Management is part and parcel of fulfilling our purpose in life which is to submit and obey and worship God.
Youth before Old Age
It goes without saying that the energy level and fitness while you are in your youth is more so than that of a senior you. So use those years wisely.
Always, start your day with renewing your intention that everything you do for yourself and your community, whether it be your acts of worship or daily chores. It all has to be merely for the sake of Allah.
Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for god, lord of the worlds. (Quran 6:162)
Another vital factor for productivity, so as to have barakah (blessing) in your day, you need to start it off early. Ideally, after fajr (morning) prayers. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
God made the early hours blessed for my nation.
Your Health before your Sickness
Take good care of your health by eating halal and healthy food in moderate portions. Allah Almighty warns us:
O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess. (Quran 7:31)
Exercise is cornerstone as well. Make sure to exercise regularly to shield your body from chronic diseases as well as boost your mental and psychological health.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both.
Taking care of your health will give you the energy to be a more productive person.
Your wealth before your Poverty
Do you know that through paying sadaqah you can increase your wealth and thus become a more productive person? This is indeed what Allah promises us:
Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned. (Quran 2:245)
You can use this money not only to spend on yourself and your loved ones, but moreover help in creating jobs in your community. As well as, aiding the less fortunate in your local society and reaching out to the world in general.
Your Free Time before you are Preoccupied
Only Allah knows what is awaiting you in the future. What if something is at stake that will preoccupy your time mentally, psychologically and/or physically? So, why take the risk and wait with doing good deeds? NOW, is the time to say no to procrastination and act productively.
There is so much to do with your free time. Your local masjid as well as your non Muslim community needs you. You can volunteer with your time, money and knowledge.
Worth mentioning here, contrary to popular thought, to be a more productive person you should not multitask. Multitasking actually makes you work pace slower and produces less quality work as you become less focused.
Your Life before your Death
Your life is a trust from Allah and you must fulfill this obligation to yourself and your society. Do not wait until your time has come and you are at your deathbed; regretting you wasted your life.
Use your life productively, you simply get the chance to live in this world only once so make sure you live it in a way that earns you the contentment of Allah and his Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
