Time, in its deepest sense, is not merely a sequence of moments measured by clocks or calendars. It is experienced through action, through consciousness, and through spiritual engagement. Without action, time remains inert—unfelt, unmeasured, and un-meaningful. Shaheed Muthari, the revered Islamic philosopher and martyr, offers a profound categorization of time: earthly time and existential/spiritual time. His reflections, especially in his work "Ibadat wa Dua", illuminate how prayer and supplication vivify our being and transform our experience of time itself.

Earthly Time vs. Existential Time

Shaheed Muthari distinguishes between two dimensions of time. Earthly time is external, mechanical, and universal—it is the time of clocks, calendars, and worldly schedules. Existential time, however, is internal, spiritual, and deeply personal. It is etched into our being and inseparable from our consciousness. We do not merely live in time; we are time. Our awareness, our actions, and our spiritual states define the quality and reality of our time.
This existential time is not bound by the ticking of seconds but by the depth of our engagement with life and the Divine. Muthari asserts that we are not truly bound by earthly time; rather, we are shaped and measured by existential time. It is this inner time that determines the quality of our life, our spiritual growth, and our proximity to God.

Ibadat wa Dua: The Act of Vivifying Time

In "Ibadat wa Dua", Muthari presents worship (ibadat) and supplication (dua) as the means to vivify time. These acts are not mere rituals; they are awakenings. When we pray with consciousness and sincerity, we breathe life into our time. A heart that remembers God is a living heart, and a mind that contemplates the Divine is a living mind. The Quran affirms this truth:
"O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life." (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:24). Prayer and supplication are invitations to life—not just biological existence, but spiritual vitality. Through them, we transcend the limitations of earthly time and space, entering into a realm of divine union. For some, this union comes swiftly; for others, it takes years of devotion. The determining factor is not the quantity of time spent, but the quality of ibadat and dua.

Transcendence Through Conscious Worship

Qualitative worship transforms us. It detaches us from mundane occupations and liberates us from false obsessions and attachments. It reorients our priorities and purifies our intentions. Muthari emphasizes that the true measure of life is not how many years we live, but how deeply we live in those moments of spiritual connection. Existential time is enriched when we engage in acts that affect us internally, spiritually, and emotionally.
The Qur'an teaches that human beings were created for prayer. In prayer, we find peace, purpose, and transcendence. Allama Iqbal, echoing similar sentiments, describes time as the unfolding and self-expression of the soul. Muthari builds on this by asserting that ibadat and dua are the vehicles through which we transcend earthly time and ascend toward divine realities.

Controlling Time Through Spirituality

Spirituality, according to Muthari, possesses supernatural dimensions. The Prophet’s ascension (Mi'raj) is a testament to the possibility of transcending and even controlling time. The Qur'anic account of Asif ibn Barkhiya, who brought the throne of the Queen of Sheba to Prophet Sulaiman in the blink of an eye, further illustrates the power of spiritual mastery over time and space.
Muthari beautifully observes that someone’s night might be dead, while another’s might be alive. A person who spends part of their night in prayer and supplication transforms the darkness into light. Their time becomes luminous, meaningful, and alive. These truths, however, can only be grasped by those who believe in the spiritual dimension of human existence—those who understand that life is defined by activity, passion, love, and inspiration. Lethargy and dormancy, in contrast, are akin to death.

Sanctifying Action: Seeing God in All Things

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that whenever we begin an action, we should see God before it, within it, and after it. This vision sanctifies our deeds and converts them into acts of worship. Muthari extends this idea by asserting that remembering God in any act—whether working in the field, teaching, or caring for others—means we are spiritually alive. Our time becomes sacred when our consciousness is aligned with divine purpose. Time, then, is our consciousness. It is the awareness of who we are, why we are here, and what we are doing. To keep our time alive, we must keep our consciousness alive. We must be active, vigorous, and spiritually engaged. Muthari teaches that life is driven by two forces: consciousness and movement. Consciousness gives birth to movement, and movement completes consciousness. When we indulge in unnecessary distractions, forget our purpose, or act against divine guidance, we waste our time and diminish our life.
Remembering God: The Key to Eternal Time
The Qur'an offers a simple yet profound promise: “Remember Me, and I will remember you.” This mutual remembrance is the essence of existential time. When we remember God, our time becomes eternal, our actions become sanctified, and our life becomes meaningful. Ibadat and dua are not just religious obligations—they are the lifeblood of our spiritual existence.
Shaheed Muthari’s reflections invite us to reconsider our relationship with time. Are we merely passing through earthly hours, or are we vivifying our moments with divine consciousness? Are we alive in our nights, or are they deadened by neglect and distraction? Through sincere worship and heartfelt supplication, we can awaken our time, transcend our limitations, and experience union with the Divine.
In the end, time is not something we measure—it is something we live. And we live it best when we live it with God..

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