Time is of the essence!
بِسۡمِ ٱللِه ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
وَٱلۡعَصۡرِ (١) إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسۡرٍ (٢) إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ (٣ )
"By the time, surely mankind is in utter loss. Except those who have faith (Iman) and do righteous acts and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and Sabar (patient constancy in religion and circumstance)” (Time-Surah al-Asr)
When companions of the Prophet (upon him be peace and blessings) would meet one another, they would only depart after reciting the above chapter of the Quran (Majma’ al-Zawa`id)
Imam al-Shafi’ (may Allah be pleased with him and you) said: “If this was the only chapter (al-Asr) revealed, it would suffice humanity (as a revelation) because it comprises the entire (knowledge of) Quran. (Ruh al-Ma’ani)
From the advices of Shaykh Ibn Qudama al-Maqdisi (may Allah be pleased with him): “Know that the extent of your life is defined, and your breaths are limited. Every breath shortens it. The whole of one’s life is brief and what remains of it is short. Every part of it is a priceless precious gem that cannot be replaced. By means of actions in this brief life there will be unending eternity in bliss or in painful punishment.” (al-Wasiyyah- “the advice of the esteemed scholar”)
He also mentions the incident of an early Muslim who had dug a grave for himself and whenever he slacked in worship he would go into the grave and stretch himself out in its niche and say, “myself, suppose that you had died and gone into your grave; what would you hope for? It said: “To return to this world and perform right actions in it. He told it, “You have obtained your hope! Rise and perform actions.
It is for this reason one the names of the day of judgement is called; “The day of remorse”- hasrah) Those who had performed good wished they could have done even more, and those who performed evil would remorse over their actions. All praise for Allah (Al-Hamdulillah) who has honored us with life and the opportunity to increase in goodness and to eliminate from our lives that which displeases Him.
May Allah make us among those who are the exception with the passing of time; “People of faith and who perform righteous acts and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and Sabar (patient constancy in religion and circumstance)”.