The Value of Time

by Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah

The Value of Time is a collection of amazing sayings, anecdotes and wonderful stories of the scholars of the Muslim Ummah, which indicate the importance they attached to time. It is a book that will inspire the youth and the old alike to spend their time wisely, constructively and avoid wasting time. The storeis narrated, unimaginable as they may be, are not fables nor fairy tales, but are all authentic events that have been well documented and narrated by scholars themselves. The author, Shaykh Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah, was one of the prominent scholars of the 20th Century and a veteran leader of the Islamic Movement in Syria.

The book highlights the value of time in the field of knowledge and its people

11.

Abu Yusuf Discussing a Matter of Fiqh on his Death Bed

Abu Yusuf became ill, so I went to visit him, and found him unconscious. When he regained consciousness he said to "O Ibrahim, what is your opinion on this matter?" I said to "While you are in this state?" He "That is fine, let us discuss it, perhaps one may be saved by it."

Then he "O Ibrahim which is better in the casting of stones [during pilgrimage], to do so while walking or while mounted?" I "Mounted." He "Wrong." I " "Walking." He said "Wrong." I "Say your opinion, may Allah be pleased with you." He "As for the case where one stops where one should make supplication, then it is better to do so while walking, but if it is elsewhere then it is better while mounted." Then I left him, and as soon as I reached the door of his house, I head crying, and he died, may Allah have mercy on him.21

44.

Imam al-Nawawi Did Not Lie down for Two Years

He is the unique Imam and Scholar of hadith, the master, Shaykh al-Islam, master of the pious ones, Muhyiddin Abu Zakariyya Yahya ibn Sharafiddin ibn Murri al-Hizami al-Hawrani al Shafi'i, the author of many beneficail books. He was born in 631 AH in Nawa, Hawran, came to Damascus in 649 AH, and lived at the Madrasah al-Rawahiyyah eating its bread. He "And I remained for two years without my side touching the ground." He memorized al-Tanbih in four and a half months, and read a quarter of al-Mahadhdhab in the remianing months of the year, under his shaykh, Ishaq ibn Ahmad.

Shaykh Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah Author Islamic Manners

Shaykh Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah was born in Syria in 1917. One of the outstanding Muslim scholars of the 20th century, Shaykh Abu Ghuddah was a leading scholar in the field of Hadith and the Hanafi school of Fiqh. He studied in Syria and Egypt specialising in Arabic Language, Hadith, Shari’ah and Psychology. He had many prominent teachers, amongst them Shaykh Ragib al-Tabbakh, Shaykh Ahmed ibn Muhamad al-Zaraqa, Shaykh Isa al-Bayanuni, Shaykh Ahmad al-Kurdi and the renouned Ottoman Scholar Imam al-Kawthari. He met Imam Hasan al-Banna in the 1940’s and joined the Muslim Brotherhood. On his return to Syria he became very active in his da’wah work and eventually he became the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria. He taught Usul al Fiqh, Hanafi Fiqh and Comaparative Fiqh at the University of Damascus. He also taught at the King Saud University and Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University. He was buried in al-Baqi Cemetry in Madinah in 1997.

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 4, 2017

Reviews

[aqilahreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

its a collection of sayings, anecdotes and wonderful stories of the scholars of the muslim ummah which indicate the importance they attached to time. it aims to inspire people to spend their time wisely, constructively and avoid wasting time.

reading this is so relatable at the moment as i am still trying my best to spend my time more wisely, doing productive things. even though these stories were set long time ago where technology is not readily available as it is today, i was still able to reflect how vast and different life would be if it wasnt because of technology; spending most of our time using our phone and getting distracted in social medias.

i made my sister to read this book and she was saying how she could not relate in a way that its impossible to follow the things that they are doing especially in a state we are living right now which i believe that she had raised such a good point, but i guess the point of this book is to also really just understand and realize how much things have changed over the years in order to appreciate our present time.

wrote so many notes down and learnt so much things about time and most importantly about myself; my relationship with time. i love the fact that it emphasizes on knowing our priorities and to make a habit to always ask ourselves: "what have i done in my free time? have i acquired some health, wealth, knowledge or benefit for myself or others?" may we put our time into good use as today we are here & tomorrow we may be not.

[P ☁️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Deutsche Übersetzung vom Ilm Verlag gelesen)

[Amina Miah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The initial section which outlines the achievements of various scholars past is inspiring but lengthy.
The potent portion lies in the final section which is reached after a what feels like a long trawl. Absolutely worth the read and reflections though.

[Ceri and Rumaysa Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring collection of short anecdotes about early Muslims and scholars and how they valued their time.