I was driving some African brothers to their home, and I asked them that in Africa, religion is very important, everyone talks about it and people always makes time for religion. Yet when they come to the Western countries, it seems to become the opposite and they get lost in running after the worldly things and find no time for religion? I told them that I am always surprised that when I do a bookstall inviting people to Islam, I notice that whenever I approach Africans or other Muslims, they just ignore me. But my understanding is that in Africa, it is the complete opposite and if someone talks or calls people to Islam, crowds form and people are eager to listen. Sadly, this is the state of the West, that few people have time for religion and worshipping God.
So how to find time for worship in this very busy life? If a person has his shop and it has to remain open from morning to night, how can he find time for prayers etc?
It is a problem which we all face, especially in this modern society, where time is very precious.
There are so many pressures being faced in this Country, especially time. Everyone is wanting more time from you.
I remember when I was in Pakistan people were more laid back, some didn’t even bother with a watch. They came and went as they pleased. But this country is different. Everyone is watching time; the expectation is high. Employers expect you to arrive to work on time. Customers expect you to open your shop on time. In the mornings I often see a queue of people waiting outside the Post Office or the Bank for it to open. We have to work hard and for long hours to get money to pay for our way of living.
Many Muslims are now doing taxi driving and working throughout the night. So how to find time for others, especially Allah?
There are many pressures that we face in life, and yet we have all the answers in front of us. The Holy Qur’an, chapter 29, verse 46 relates: -
Recite that which has been revealed to thee of the Book and observe Prayer. Surely, Prayer restrains one from indecency and manifest evil; and remembrance of Allah, indeed, is the greatest virtue. And Allah knows what you do.
This verse stresses on the importance of developing a strong attachment to Allah and the benefits of doing such a thing.
Through developing our love for Allah and following His guidance we will be a better person, a God-fearing person.
I remember going into a shop in a Muslim Country and there was no one around. The shopkeeper was in a back room praying. But that is the point, he felt it is more important to spend time with Allah, doing prayers, than worrying about his shop and business.
This is what we understand that it is Allah who is Razzaq – the Great Provider. Allah will provide for us, will bring customers etc.
I remember telling this to one person who said that he has to miss the prayers as he need to keep his shop open till late. I told him that you are missing prayers for a few customers, but if you had closed the shop and gone to the Mosque, then Allah could have provided you with one customer who could have spent more than all the people that you may miss by closing the shop.
So, we need to make a balance in life. Time should be for your work, for your family and for Allah. We should always focus on striving to win the pleasure of Allah and ensure that we are attending our prayers. If you are working in a shop, then you can put up a message, ‘back in 15 minutes’ and go for your prayers. You may miss some customers, but the reward with Allah will be far higher.
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi has said:
“It simply is not possible to achieve success without following the teachings of the Holy Qur’an. If someone thinks otherwise, it is a mere imaginative thinking; the (worldly) people are seeking after success of this kind. You should keep the example of the Companions of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, before you.
Look at them; they followed the Holy Prophet and gave preference to religion over worldly affairs. The result was that God fulfilled all the promises that He had made with them.
At the initial stage, the opponents mocked at them that whereas they could not come out in the open freely, they were claiming to become the kings of the world.
But having lost themselves in perfect obedience to the Holy Prophet they were able to achieve what had not been their lot for many centuries. They loved the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Prophet and kept themselves busy in following them day and night. They would not follow the unbelievers even in the matters of their customs.
All the time that Islam was passing through these conditions, it was in its supremacy, the reason being that:
‘If you have God with you, you have nothing to worry about’.
The key to the successes and victories of the Muslims was also faith.”
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi also said:
“I do not mean that the Muslims should become lethargic, Islam does not make anyone lethargic. They should carry on their trades and services as usual. But what I really do not like is that they should have no place for God. They should trade when it is time for them to trade but while trading, they must have the fear of God in their hearts so that their trade, too, may become an act of worship.
At the time of the daily prayers, they should offer the prayers – And they should not ignore them. Whatever the work in hand, they should give preference to religion; their ultimate target should not be the gains of this world; It should be the gains of religion. That being the case, their worldly affairs will also become matter of religion.”
We cannot fulfil our purpose in life so long as we do not observe the prayers regularly and live by the Qur’anic teachings. Prayer is vital, the whole religion revolves around it, so we should make every effort to attend the prayers and ensure that we are having a very live contact with Allah. If we achieve that, then the people of this Country will be able to see and understand why religion is so important