Health and free time Friday, 17 June 2011 03:17

Abdullah bin Abbas reports that Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said “There are two bounties of Allah wherein most people are deceived, health and free time”. The value of health is only realised when one falls ill. Take for example, relieving oneself. If a person is unable to use the bathroom for a day, what happens to this person? His whole life comes to an immediate halt and he looks for ways to relieve him. This one bounty of Allah we enjoy day in and day out but we do not even regard it to be a bounty.

Let us appreciate the bounty of health and use our health in the obedience of Allah the Almighty.

Free time is another bounty of Allah. Consider those people who have to tirelessly work many shifts just to make ends meet. They also cherish free time but are forced just to support their families. Therefore appreciate the free time before you are forced to use it in other ways. A sign of appreciation is to dedicate some of the free time for the Ibaadah and service of Allah. The enjoyment one will earn by doing so can never be explained.

Allah states in a Hadith Qudsi “O! Son of Adam free yourself for my obedience and I will make you independent and remove your poverty, and if you will not do so, I will tire you with work and never remove your want and poverty”.

The Prophet (PBUH), used to call on Muslims to take the initiative to do good deeds before any obstacles arise. For instance, he said, “Lose no time to do good deeds before you are caught up by one of seven calamities awaiting you: a starvation which may impair your wisdom; a prosperity which may mislead you; an ailment which may damage your health; an old age which may harm your senses; a sudden death; the Dajjal (Antichrist); or Doomsday, which is indeed the hardest and most bitter.” (Tirmidhi, Al Baihaqi)

The above Hadith urges Muslims to take the initiative, and not to delay good deeds; man’s life is not free from impediments, such as those calamities, which can prevent him from accomplishing what could have been done earlier. Wise are those who grab available opportunities before being handicapped by obstacles.