You’re not wasting time—you’re being outsmarted by tasks of lower importance. The question is, do you even see it happening?
As students of knowledge, we often believe that as long as we’ve dedicated some time to study, we’re on the right track.
But what happens when the majority of our day is consumed by tasks that, while not bad, don’t truly push us closer to our goals? These lesser priorities slowly chip away at the time we could spend on more meaningful pursuits.
It’s a subtle trap—one that doesn’t appear harmful but gradually erodes our potential, leaving us far from the progress we set out to achieve.
Shaytan’s Trap for Students of Knowledge
It’s too easy to fall into this pattern. A student may attend a class or read for an hour, feel that they’ve gained something beneficial, and then spend the next several hours on activities of lesser value—perhaps chatting, scrolling through social media, or simply relaxing for far longer than necessary.
A common thought is,
“I’ve studied for one hour, I deserve to take a break now.”
But what if we flipped that mindset? Instead of one hour of study followed by hours of relaxation, why not dedicate five hours to seeking knowledge and then relax for one? As the saying goes,
“Knowledge is vast, and time is short.”
Of course, relaxation is important—our bodies and minds need a break. But it must be done in moderation. For example, someone may memorise a verse or two from the Qur’an or a hadith and then tell themselves,
“I’ve done enough today; I don’t want to push myself too hard.”
While this may seem like a balanced approach, it’s important to ask: Are we using our time wisely? The goal is not to overburden ourselves, but to strike the right balance between productivity and rest.
Ibn Al-Jawzi رحمه الله, in his famous work Talbees Iblees, highlights how Shaytan deceives people into wasting their time.
Shaytan whispers into a person’s heart:
“You’ve done well today! You’ve achieved more than others. Take the rest of the day off—you’ve earned it.”
This is a classic trick that many students of knowledge fall into. After benefiting from one or two small gains, they become complacent and fall into a cycle of time-wasting. Shaytan’s whispering convinces them that they are doing enough when in reality, there is much more they could be accomplishing. Recognizing this trap and actively resisting it is crucial for maintaining a productive routine.
The Example of Great Scholars
When we look at the lives of great scholars, we see a very different approach to time. For them, every moment was an opportunity to seek knowledge, and they didn’t let small gains lull them into complacency.
Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله once said:
"وقد أوعبت الأمة في كل فن من فنون العلم إيعاباً، فمن نوَّر الله قلبه هداه بما يبلغه من ذلك، ومن أعماه لم تزده كثرة الكتب إلا حيرةً وضلالًا"
("The ummah has comprehensively covered every field of knowledge. Whoever's heart Allah enlightens will be guided by what he attains from it, and whoever is blinded, the abundance of books will only increase him in confusion and misguidance.")
This statement reflects a key truth: simply having access to knowledge—whether through books, lectures, or classes—means little if one is not guided by the light of Allah.
A student may collect numerous books and spend countless hours attending lectures, but without sincerity and the right mindset, all that effort may lead to confusion rather than enlightenment.
What is True Knowledge?
Adh-Dhahabi رحمه الله, in the biography of Uthman Ibn Sa'īd Al-Darimi, emphasises a similar point:
"إن العلم ليس بكثرة الرواية , ولكنه نور يقذفه الله في القلب , وشرطه : الإتباع , والفرار من الهوى والابتداع"
("Knowledge is not in the abundance of narration, but it is a light that Allah casts into the heart. Its condition is adherence (to the truth) and fleeing from desires and innovation.")
These statements from the scholars underscore the importance of not just accumulating knowledge but using time wisely to internalise and implement that knowledge. Without the proper focus and sincerity, even the most well-read individuals can find themselves lost, and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information.
The Burden of Proof on the Student of Knowledge
So, why do we emphasise these statements from scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah and Adh-Dhahabi? Because they serve as a reminder that the proof of Allah (حجة الله) is established upon us through the vast amount of knowledge we have access to today.
The books we read, the lectures we attend—these are all part of Allah’s proof upon us.
If we fail to organise our time and benefit from these resources, they may become a source of regret for us on the Day of Judgement.
As students of knowledge, we must be mindful of how we spend our time. Organising our days to include time for reading, reflecting, and implementing what we’ve learned is crucial. If we don’t, the same knowledge that was meant to elevate us could become the very thing that works against us.
The Example of Imam Ash-Shafi’i
Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Abi Hatim, narrating from Al-Muzani, said that Imam Ash-Shafi'i was once asked:
"كيف شهوتك للعلم؟"
("How is your desire for knowledge?")
Imam Al-Shafi'i replied:
أسمع بالحرف مما لم أسمعه من قبل فتود أعضائي أن لها سمعاً تتنعم به مثل ما تنعمت به الأذنان
("I hear a letter that I have never heard before, and my limbs wish they had ears to enjoy it as my ears have.")
He was then asked:
فقيل له: كيف حرصك عليه؟
('How keen are you for it?')
He replied:
حرص الجموع المنوع في بلوغ لذته للمال
('Like the eagerness of a miser, gathering and withholding, in reaching the pleasure of wealth.')
He was further asked:
قيل: كيف طلبك له؟
('How do you seek it?')
He said:
طلب المرأة المضلة ولدها ليس لها غيره
('Like a woman who has lost her only child, searching for him as if she had none other.')
This passion and eagerness for knowledge is the mindset we should all strive for. For Imam Ash-Shafi’i, learning was not a burden—it was a source of immense joy and fulfilment.
This is how we, as students of knowledge, should approach our studies: with a deep desire to learn and the understanding that every moment of learning is a blessing.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
In conclusion, as students of knowledge, we must be vigilant about how we spend our time. It’s easy to become complacent after achieving small gains, but the key is to strive for consistency and balance. Relaxation is necessary, but it must be done in moderation, and Shaytan’s whispers of contentment must be recognized and countered with diligence.
The examples of the scholars remind us of the importance of using time wisely and never settling for small achievements.
From Ibn Taymiyyah’s guidance on divine enlightenment to Imam Ash-Shafi’i’s profound love for learning, their examples show us that knowledge is a lifelong journey that requires dedication and careful management of time.
May Allah guide us all to use our time wisely, seek knowledge sincerely, and avoid the traps of time-wasting.
As Ibn Al-Jawzi reminds us, complacency is the tool Shaytan uses to rob us of our precious time—so let us guard it well.
Now that you've uncovered the biggest time-wasters for students of knowledge, let's explore practical ways to carve out extra time for beneficial studies, even with a packed schedule. Check out this post for more insights.
But before you go, we’d love to know: How strong is your passion for seeking knowledge?
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