I Seek Refuge in Allah from the Company of the Idle - Imam Ibn al-Jawzi

”I have seen many people who, like myself, are in the habit of frequently visiting others, considering it a righteous action. They prolong their sitting, engage in gossip and irrelevant talk, interspersed with backbiting.

This is common in our time. Sometimes one is invited by a host who yearns for their company or feels lonely, especially during holidays and Eids. You see them visiting each other, not limiting themselves to greetings and well-wishes, but mixing it with what I mentioned before of wasting time.

When I saw that time is the most precious thing, and that it is necessary to utilize it for good works, I disliked such visitations. But if I was to reject such visits outright, it would undoubtedly lead to loneliness, due to the severance of what I have become accustomed to. Yet if I accept them as they are, time will be wasted.

I began to resist meeting others as much as I could, and when I was compelled, I shortened conversation to hasten parting. Then I prepared activities that I could perform during conversations, so that time would not pass in vain. I prepared paper that needed cutting, pens needing sharpening, and notebooks needing binding for such meetings. These things are necessary and do not require thought or presence of mind, and so can be continued throughout conversation. I set them aside for their visiting times, so that nothing of my time would be wasted.

I ask Allah to teach us the value and importance of time and guide us to make the most of our lives.

I have observed many people who do not understand the value of life. Among them are those whom Allah has made wealthy beyond the need to earn, yet they sit in the market most of the day, watching people pass by. How many harms and wrongdoings do they passively partake in! Others occupy themselves with playing chess. Others kill time recounting political events, inflation, bargains, and so on.

I realized that Allah Almighty has not revealed the preciousness of life, nor the value of time when one has good health, except to those He has guided and inspired to seize this opportunity. “And none will be granted such except those of great bounty” [Fussilat: 35].”

p. 304, Sayd al-Khatir, Imam ibn al-Jawzi

Originally published on the Dhikr Substack.