Everything in today’s world is going so fast. We are being taught that we do not have time, which is true in some ways. Our days on earth are counted, and one day we are going to go back to our Creator, Allah. But what is the rush? What is the rush in getting that degree? What is the rush in getting that job? What is the rush in watching mini videos of a few seconds instead of a longer one of ten minutes?
Sometimes, in all this rush, we just don’t pause to think. We live our life in automatic mode, when in reality, there is no need to rush. When life moves so fast, we sometimes forget to slow down for the One who gave us time itself.
Sometimes we pray just to get it done, or because we need to catch the bus, not realizing how much peace we are missing. Sometimes we just need to walk to that prayer mat, or sit on a bench in the park, or look out the window and breathe slowly. To appreciate the moment. To look at Allah’s beautiful sky above us. To slow down and say Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah for this life. Alhamdulillah for waking up today. Alhamdulillah for breathing right now.
Sometimes after a long day at school or at work, all we need is to reconnect with ourselves and with our Lord.
But don’t get me wrong: by slowing down, I don’t mean procrastinating, leaving prayer until the last minute, or becoming lazy. That’s not what I mean. What I mean is taking the time to live life fully, while still realizing that our time on earth is temporary.
We need that balance, because our religion, Islam, is a religion of balance. If we fall into one of the two extremes, we lose the path. If we slow down too much and forget that our time is limited, we become lazy and neglect our responsibilities and our prayers. And if we never slow down at all, that is also a problem. We start living life at full speed, without time to think, to sit, to reflect, to smile, to live.
Allah placed us on this earth to find that middle ground. But how do we find it?
Maybe the middle ground begins with awareness. Just noticing that something is off. Noticing when we are rushing too much or slowing down too much. Maybe it starts with small habits, like putting our phone down for five minutes before prayer, choosing to breathe and perfect our intention before starting salah. Or choosing to walk outside and look at the beautiful sky instead of our phone, and removing our headphones to listen to the trees, the birds, and the wind.
One moment at a time.
One choice at a time.
And when we forget, we come back again. We try again.
The middle ground can also be found in the example of our Prophet ﷺ. He didn’t rush through life, but he didn’t waste time either. He walked calmly. He spoke gently. He gave time to worship, time to people, and time to rest. Maybe our balance is hidden in following that perfect example Allah gave us: doing what needs to be done, but doing it with presence. Praying on time, but praying with the heart. Working hard, but remembering Allah as we move through life — and remembering why we are moving.
Balance is not a destination. It’s a state that we keep returning to.
We are human. We forget. We make mistakes.
But as long as we keep trying, Allah will bring us back to balance, every single time, inshaAllah.
May Allah help us find calm in our days, balance in our actions, and remembrance of Him in every moment of our lives.
With love and dua,
Sara 🤍
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