What if something you thought would benefit you and your community is actually stealing your most precious resource—your time? Have you ever paused to think about how much time slips away in activities that seem productive but ultimately take you away from your true purpose?
For students of knowledge, time is sacred, yet it is often lost to one of the most overlooked traps: excessive socialising. Imagine how much more impactful your efforts could be if you guarded your time more wisely.
Many students take this lightly, unaware of how much time they actually spend in casual gatherings. A typical scenario plays out during the summer or winter breaks, when students return home from studying abroad. Instead of using this valuable time wisely, they fall into endless visits, gatherings, and socialising, unaware of the cost.
The Hidden Cost of Excessive Socialising
Students of knowledge often find themselves at either extreme: they either exaggerate the importance of socialising or neglect it altogether. While visiting family and friends and maintaining social ties is important and can provide emotional support and community bonding, it becomes problematic when it turns into a time sink.
Take, for example, a student who studies abroad. When he returns home, whether it’s to the UK or elsewhere, he often spends most of his holiday catching up with loved ones, eating out, and socialising.
He justifies it by saying, “It’s just a holiday. I’ll get back to seeking knowledge once the break is over.”
But the reality is he’s not only wasting his own time, but also the time of average Muslims who come to him seeking guidance and understanding of their religion.
He might return to his studies at the end of the holiday, but for many people, that holiday is their only chance to seek knowledge before they return to work, university, or other responsibilities. By drawing them into excessive socialising, he’s deprived them of that opportunity.
Meanwhile, he’s also lost time he could have spent reviewing what he’s learned, ensuring he’s prepared for the next term or semester.
Knowledge isn’t something that can be paused during a break—it’s a lifelong journey that demands constant engagement.
Ibn Al-Qayyim’s Insights on Gatherings
The great scholar Ibn Al-Qayyim رحمه الله warned about the dangers of excessive socialising in his book Al-Fawā’id. He categorised gatherings into two types:
- Gatherings of Enjoyment and Time-Wasting: Ibn Al-Qayyim described the first type as purely for enjoyment and passing time. While such gatherings might bring temporary joy, he warns that their harms outweigh their benefits.
At the very least, these gatherings corrupt the heart and waste time.
- Gatherings for Mutual Benefit and Encouragement: The second type of gathering is where people come together to encourage one another in truth and patience, what Ibn Al-Qayyim refers to as gathering for mutual support on the path to success. These are the most beneficial types of gatherings. However, even these have potential dangers, such as:
- Adorning Oneself for Others: Students may begin to adorn themselves for one another, trying to impress each other with their dress, speech or appearance.
- Speaking Beyond Need: In such gatherings, people may end up speaking more than is necessary, wasting valuable time.
- Turning Socialising a Habit and Desire: These beneficial gatherings may turn into a habit where people meet regularly for the sake of meeting, and the original purpose is lost.
Ibn Taymiyyah’s Timeless Advice
Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله, the teacher of Ibn Al-Qayyim, also touched on this subject.
- In Madārij Al-Sālikeen (2nd volume), Ibn Al-Qayyim recalls a lesson from his teacher regarding an issue that is permissible in Islam and not Haraam, in which he (Ibn Taymiyyah) said to him:
"هذا ينافي المراتب العالية وإن لم يكن تركه شرطا في النجاة"
(“This contradicts the higher ranks, even if abandoning it is not a condition for salvation.”)
His message was clear: Some actions, although permissible, can hold a person back from reaching the highest levels of knowledge and success. While avoiding them isn't required for success, it still limits one’s potential.
The takeaway? A sincere student of knowledge should be mindful of permissible (مباح) actions. While not sinful, some of them can still divert him from reaching lofty stations.
THIS IS A PRINCIPLE EVERY STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE SHOULD LIVE BY!
Leave What Doesn’t Benefit You
- Ibn Taymiyyah emphasised this further in Majmu' Al-Fatawa (Volume 10), where he advised avoiding excessive permissible actions that don’t bring benefit:
"وأما اعتزال الناس في فضول المباحات وما لا ينفع وذلك بالزهد فيه فذلك محتسب"
(“As for avoiding people in matters of excessive permissible actions and what holds no benefit, doing so out of asceticism is commendable and rewarded.”)
Avoiding interactions related to permissible matters that do not benefit you is commendable. By refraining from these actions, you can focus more on what truly matters.
Hold Yourself Accountable
Ibn Taymiyyah also stresses the importance of solitude for self-reflection.
- He said:
"ولا بد للعبد من أوقات ينفرد بها بنفسه في دعائه وذكره وصلاته وتفكره ومحاسبة نفسه وإصلاح قلبه"
(“The servant must have times when he isolates himself for supplication, remembrance, prayer, contemplation, self-accountability, and rectification of his heart.”)
Students of knowledge should regularly take time to ask themselves:
- “What did I achieve today? How did my actions align with my goals as a student of knowledge?”
- “Was I drawing closer to Allah or drifting further away?”
- “Which areas of my life need improvement, and how can I work on perfecting myself?”
Do you struggle with balancing socialising and studying? Reflecting on these questions can help you stay focused on your journey of seeking knowledge.
An Incurable Disease
- In Badā'i Al-Fawā'id, Ibn Al-Qayyim further explains the harms of excessive mingling. He calls it an incurable disease that brings about every type of evil:
"إن فضول المخالطة هي الداء العضال الجالب لكل شر"
(“Indeed, excessive mingling is the incurable disease that brings about every evil.”)
- He continues:
"وكم سلبت المخالطة والمعاشرة من نعمة وكم زرعت من عداوة"
(“How many blessings have been lost through excessive socialising, and how many enmities have been sown because of it.”)
Ibn Al-Qayyim’s warning is clear: excessive socialising doesn’t just waste time—it can lead to enmity and the loss of blessings, both in this world and in the Hereafter.
Advice From the Salaf
In line with these teachings, the advice of the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم is especially relevant.
- Umar ibn Al-Khattab رضي الله عنه said:
"خذوا حظكم من العزلة"
(“Take your portion of seclusion.”)
This doesn’t mean complete isolation, but rather making sure to carve out time for personal reflection and spiritual connection with Allah. Balanced social interaction is important for mental health and community bonding, but it must be kept in check.
- The Tabi’i Masruq ibn al-Ajda' also said:
"إن المرء لحقيق أن يكون له مجالس يخلو فيها فيذكر فيها ذنوبه فيستغفر منها."
(“Indeed, a person should have gatherings of solitude, where he reflects on his sins and seeks forgiveness for them.”)
Conclusion: Guard Your Time
For students of knowledge, time is a precious commodity that must be carefully protected. While socialising is part of life, it can easily become a distraction from your true purpose. As Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Al-Qayyim have advised, be mindful of how you spend your time. Ensure that your gatherings are meaningful, purposeful, and ultimately beneficial.
Guarding your time also means understanding when socialising adds value to your journey and when it detracts from it. Meaningful social connections can uplift your spirit, provide emotional support, and strengthen bonds within the community. However, always remember that your primary goal is to seek knowledge and draw closer to Allah. Let that be the guiding principle behind every decision.
With that being said, socialising isn’t the only time-waster… There’s another, more subtle trap that students of knowledge often fall into without realising it. Could it be affecting you too? Find out in this subsequent post.
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