Leisure Time or Lost Time?

Do we consider how much time we spend on activities that are not truly beneficial?

On the issue of how one benefits from one’s free time, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,

“There are two blessings whose profit [or reward] many people lose: good health and free time” (Al-Bukhari)

One may ask, “What, from the Shareeah point of view, is the problem with, for example, watching a football game for three hours?”

It is not just a question of “what is the problem with it?” The issue for a Muslim is: do I really have that time to spend wherein I am not benefiting myself at all? Can I afford to lose that time which I will never get back again? When I stand in front of Allah, can I really feel that I have used that free time, which is a bounty from Allah, in an acceptable fashion?

When the goal and purpose of a Muslim’s life is clear in his mind [to please Allah and achieve Paradise], he will not waste a lot of time in doing things that do not benefit him in achieving that goal and purpose. All his activities will be focused on the idea of moving him toward his goal—neither away from it nor in a static position with respect to it.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with rest and relaxation when needed. Indeed, it is a necessity. However, it could be argued that there are some ways that are simply non-beneficial or perhaps even harmful.

Wallahulam