The Prophet (saw) advised to: “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” (Narrated by Ibn Abbas and reported by Al Hakim).
1. Your Youth
When we are young we have strength, enthusiasm and drive and putting those advantages in the path of Allah raises the individual levels.
The Prophet( saw) has told us that a young person who grew up with the worship of Allah, will b e among the seven who are granted shade by Allah when there no shade but His. (Bukhari)
2. Your Health
No one can guarantee what tomorrow will bring. Our health is a blessing from Allah that we tend to take for granted. The Prophet (saw) said, “Whosoever begins the day feeling family security and good health; and possessing provision for his day is as though he possessed the whole world.” [At- Tirmidhi].
NB: this a divine standard of living. Look to what Allah and his rasul says not what the society and your environment dictates to you so your life can be full of content and you can get away from artificial mental health and depression.
3. Your Wealth
We should all have some part of our wealth to invest in the hereafter. Helping the needy, providing for orphans, the weak, teaching and guiding the willing ignorants etc. all these secure a spot for us in Jannah. Allah has promised us that he will repay us more than whatever sum of money we spend for His sake:
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)
“The feet of the son of Adam shall not move from before his Lord on the Day of Judgement, until he is asked about five things one of which is his wealth and how he earned it and spent it upon… (Al-Tirmidhi)
NB: it is important to take account of your earnings. How you make your money the source of your wealth must be a deliberate efforts as your Jannah depends on it. May Allah grant and make us content with halal sustenance .
4. Your Free Time
Wasting time on idle things is not recommended in Islam. We should try to always fill our free time in the remembrance of Allah and being productive.
The Prophet (saw) said, “There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) Health and free time for doing good.” (Bukhari).
NB: next time Allah has blessed you with free time make sure to use it in pleasing Allah. Avoid gossips, bad habits , scheming and spreading evils. Remember there are 2 recorders on both sides ensure you engage the right one. Your ultimate success depends on it.
5. Your Life before Death
We are all going to die, It is an inevitable truth. And how we spend this life in Dunya(this world) determines our life in the hereafter. Take advantage of your life before it is too late… be grateful if you find people pointing you to good don’t belly them. That is the best love anyone can give you. To remind you of the day No one but yourself alone will eventually be alone and would account for.
“If you could but see when the criminals are hanging their heads before their Lord, [saying], “Our Lord, we have seen and heard, so return us [to the world]; we will work righteousness. Indeed, we are [now] certain.” (Quran 32:12).
May Allah bless us with all five so we can work harder to please Him!
