How to Avoid Time-Wasting in Ramadan 2025

Time is the most precious asset Allah has created for us. However, its value is determined by how we use it and whether it is to our advantage or detriment. Islam has severely criticized time-wasting, labeling it a diversion and amusement that serves no purpose. In this article on Islam4u, we will learn how to use our time in the best way possible in Ramadan 2025.

What Does the Quran Say About Time?

Ramadan 2025 is when we should recite the Quran and benefit from the Islamic themes in its well-known passages and excerpts. In various surahs, the Quran has advised against doing pointless things and wasting time. For instance, in Surah Mu’minun verse three, where Allah describes the believers, He says:

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ ‎﴿٣﴾‏

[The believers are] those who avoid vain talk and activities. (3)

The verse means to say that believers are those who do not hold endless conversations about things that do not benefit them whatsoever. They also do not engage in useless activities that don’t bring any reward or benefit to them. In other words, believers don’t waste their time on futile activities.

We also have a surah that Allah has given the name “Time” to it. Surah al-‘Asr. The surah reads:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

وَالْعَصْرِ ‎﴿١﴾‏ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ ‎﴿٢﴾‏ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ ‎﴿٣﴾‏

In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful

By Time! (1) Man is indeed in loss, (2) except those who have faith and do righteous deeds, and enjoin one another to [follow] the truth, and enjoin one another to patience. (3)

This surah is fascinating because it emphasizes the significance of the creation of time. First, Allah swears by time! Time must be very valuable and crucial for Allah to swear by it. The verse continues by saying that the entire world and all humanity are at a loss unless they believe in Allah, do righteous deeds, and enjoin each other to follow the truth and exercise patience. So a person who does not believe in Allah and doesn’t show his faith by doing good deeds is wasting their entire life.

How to Avoid Time-Wasting in Ramadan 2025

Avoiding time-wasting requires skill and intelligence. Reflecting on what action you plan to take will go a long way to this end. Think before you act. If you act before you think, you will be vulnerable to time-wasting. Some of the things we do daily could be neither rewarding nor punishable. However, we can use that time to do many fruitful activities and maximize our time. Scrolling through social media on your phone or computer, watching TV for hours on end, chit-chatting with your friends about unimportant things, playing video games 24/7, and many other activities that bring no benefit are examples of wasting time.

Recitation of the Quran: Best Way of Spending Time in Ramadan 2025

In Ramadan 2025, there are so many good things that you could do to use your time wisely. Reciting the Noble Quran sits at the top. We should all prioritize recitation of the Quran over all other activities. Reciting one juz of the Quran is optimal. If that is too much for you, read as much as possible so you won’t get tired. However, learning to recite the Quran correctly and faster will benefit you greatly. Therefore, another advice to all Muslims is to master their recitation skills and utilize them during Ramadan 2025 to recite at least one juz daily.

Learning to read the Quran is never too late. You can even start learning it in Ramadan 2025. We have a complete course on “How to Recite the Quran” that will help you recite more verses and pages of the Quran in Ramadan 2025. You can enroll in it by clicking the title of the link. Remember that recitation without contemplation and understanding is deficient. Reciting the Quran should also be accompanied by reading the translation and commentary of the verses. We need to understand and comprehend what Allah is saying. Of course, if only the translation is read and not the Arabic, that would also be inadequate.

What Other Activities Can Be Done in Ramadan 2025?

Fasting is the best act of worship in Ramadan. Fasting is significant by itself and has many rewards. Breathing is like saying dhikr, and sleeping is like worshipping Allah. However, this doesn’t mean we should sit and wait for the iftar time to come. We already mentioned Quran recitation. Other rewarding activities, such as reciting supplications and duas unique to Ramadan, should not be neglected. We must not underestimate the power of dua in this month as Allah is very much closer to us in this month than the others:

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ ‎﴿١٨٦﴾‏

When My servants ask you about Me, [tell them that] I am indeed nearmost. I answer the supplicant’s call when he calls Me. So let them respond to Me, and let them have faith in Me, so that they may fare rightly. (186)

In the article “Duas in the Month of Ramadan 2025,” I explain which duas can be recited during Ramadan 2025 and what lofty themes they hold.

Acts of charity are other excellent ways to make the most of Ramadan 2025. Share your kindness with others and receive triple the reward. The good deeds of a person who fasts are better and more valuable than those who don’t. Many families can hardly make ends meet. By helping them in Ramadan, you manifest Allah’s compassion and generosity.

Why Time-Wasting Is Bad

For several reasons, wasting time has been censured in Islam. Wasting time means disregarding other essential duties and tasks that you must carry out. Thus, you start procrastinating and postponing those crucial tasks and fall behind in your daily activities. Sometimes, it could cause you to sin. For instance, you might lose track of time, and the prayer time may expire. Failing to perform the obligatory prayers for whatever reason is one of the major sins. Scrolling through your phone could lead you to immoral websites and imagery that are sins for the eyes. Ultimately, Satan allures you to waste your time so that you won’t engage in productive activities, and your habits turn into addictions.

Time-Wasting in Hadith

The Noble Prophet (s) has said:

مَن فُتِحَ لَهُ بابٌ مِن الخَيرِ فَلْيَنتَهِزْهُ ؛ فإنّهُ لا يَدرِي مَتى يُغلَقُ عَنهُ .

When a door of goodness is opened for someone, let them seize it, for they do not know when it may be closed.”

This hadith emphasizes the importance of taking advantage of opportunities that result in good deeds. Life is unpredictable, and chances to do good may not always remain. Seizing these moments ensures we make the most of what Allah grants us.

In another hadith, the Prophet (s) said:

تَركُ الفُرَصِ غُصَصٌ .

Neglecting opportunities brings sorrow.

Failing to act when opportunities arise can lead to regret and sadness. The hadith teaches us to recognize the value of time and chances and to act decisively before it’s too late.

Imam Ali (a) has said:

مَن أخَّرَ الفُرصَةَ عَن وَقتِها فَلْيَكُنْ على ثِقَةٍ مِن فَوتِها.

Whoever delays an opportunity beyond its time should be sure of losing it.

This hadith advises against procrastination. Opportunities are often fleeting and tied to specific moments. Missing the right time to act can result in permanent loss.

All these sayings, whether from the Prophet (s), Imam Ali (a), or other infallibles, focus on recognizing the blessings and opportunities that Allah provides. They stress acting promptly and wisely, reminding us of the transient nature of life and its chances.

Conclusion

Wasting time is one of the things that Allah will hold us accountable for on the Day of Judgment. Time is the greatest asset in life, more precious than gold and anything imaginable. In Ramadan 2025, we must learn to take advantage of our time, do as many good deeds as possible, and not waste time. If we make the most of our time in Ramadan 2025, it will become second nature, and we will never waste time in the other months.