The Preservation of Time, by Ibn Al-Jawzi - IBN BADIS Edition

The Preservation of Time, by Abū al-Faraj Ibn al-Jawzī, Ibn Badis Editions

Imam Abū Al-Faraj ibn Al-Jawzī (d. 597 H.), may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Considering the status that would be the highest, I meditated on the states of man, and I realized that most creatures are in loss. Some young people exaggerate in disobedience. Some are negligent in the pursuit of knowledge. Some are outrageous in indulging in pleasures. When they grow old, when it is too late to make up for past sins, or when strength will diminish, or when good has been missed, all will regret. Old age will then be spent in regret." Ṣayd al-khāṭir, p. 231

He also said: "I have seen many people not understanding the meaning of life. Some, Allah has made them dispense with the need to seek to earn their living, because of the abundance of their goods. They spend most of the day sitting in the market, observing people, and how many evils and blameworthy pass before them. Some isolate themselves to play chess. Some spend time discussing the news of the sultans, the rise and fall of prices, and other than that. I then knew that Allah the Most High does not grant the knowledge of the importance of life and the knowledge of the value of time when one is preserved, except to the one to whom He has granted success and the inspiration to benefit from it. "...and it is given only to the possessor of infinite grace." [Fuṣṣilat: 35]" Ṣayd al-khāṭir, pp. 206-207