Prophet Muhammad reminds us, “There are two of God’s favors that are forgotten by many people: health and free time.”


As the current year comes to and end and we start a new year, the following verses of the Quran reflect on the importance of time.


1. Your Guardian-Lord is God, Who created the heavens and the earth in six eons, and is firmly established on the throne (of authority): He covers the night as a veil over the day, each seeking the other in swift succession: He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command. Is it not His to create and to govern? Blessed be God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds! – (Quran 7:54)


2. The number of months in the sight of God is twelve (in a year) – so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred: this is the ever-true law [of God]. So wrong not yourselves therein, and combat the Pagans all together as they fight you all together. But know that God is with those who restrain themselves. – (Quran 9:36)


3. Are they, then, not aware that they are being tested year-in, year-out? And yet, they do not repent and nor do they learn a lesson (from it). – (Quran 9:126)


4. He it is Who made the sun a shining brightness and the moon a light, and ordained for it phases that you might know the computation of years and the reckoning [of time]. God did not create it but with truth; He makes the signs manifest for a people who have knowledge. – (Quran 10:5)


5. We have made the Night and the Day as two (of Our) Signs: the Sign of the Night have We obscured, while the Sign of the Day We have made to enlighten you; that ye may seek bounty from your Lord, and that ye may know the number and count of the years: all things have We explained in detail. – (Quran 17:12)


6. He will say: “What number of years did ye stay on earth?” They will answer: ‘We have spent there a day, or part of a day; but ask those who [are able to] count [time]…” He will say: “You stayed not but a little,- if you had only known! Did you, then, think that We created you in mere idle play, and that you would not have to return to Us?.” – (Quran 23:112-115)


7. By (the Token of) Time (through the ages), Verily Humankind is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy. – (Quran 103:1-3)