Making Every Moment Count in Fulfillment of the Obligation of the Time
Planning is not just a trend, a way to fill time, or merely a tool to check tasks off a list. It is the foundation for making the most of your time and life. As the saying goes, “If you don’t occupy yourself with what is right, your mind will fill itself with what is wrong.” Therefore, learning how to use our time wisely is essential.
Planning helps you become the best version of yourself. It teaches you how to balance your responsibilities, roles, and the various aspects of your life. It reminds you of areas for growth that you might overlook without a plan, and it reveals strengths you never knew you had.
One of the greatest benefits of planning is that it gives you a clear vision of the months ahead. It helps you stay focused on where you are and where you’re heading. This clarity is invaluable, especially when it comes to making the most of spiritual seasons and opportunities for growth and improvement.
Aligning Planning with Intentions
Before we start planning, we must ensure that our intention behind planning is sincerely for the sake of Allah—to make the most of our time in obedience to Him, close the door to sins inspired by Shaytan, and draw closer to Allah through gaining knowledge about Him, increasing acts of worship, and purifying our souls.
A remarkable example of strategic and intentional planning can be drawn from the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) migration (Hijrah).
When planning for the Hijrah, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) took several deliberate steps that were fundamental to its success. He emphasized secrecy as a critical factor, ensuring the plans remained undisclosed to outsiders. He chose a trustworthy companion for the journey, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), demonstrating the importance of surrounding oneself with reliable partners. Additionally, he selected a knowledgeable guide to navigate the journey, prepared thoroughly, and devised strategies for deception and misdirection to outsmart any threats.
This example teaches us the value of intentional, well-thought-out planning that aligns with a higher purpose. When planning with sincerity and foresight, we can maximize our efforts and ensure our actions lead to meaningful outcomes.
Planning and Reliance on Allah
It’s important to understand that planning does not contradict reliance on Allah (tawakkul); rather, it complements it. True reliance on Allah involves actively using the means He has provided us while entrusting the outcome entirely to Him. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) demonstrated this balance during the Hijrah. Despite his meticulous planning and preparation, his ultimate trust rested in Allah’s protection and guidance.
As the Qur’an reminds us:
“وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ وَكِيلًا”
“And rely upon Allah; and sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.” (Surah Al-Ahzab, Ayah 3)
This verse illustrates that reliance on Allah is not a passive act. It requires putting in effort and striving to fulfill our duties, while trusting in Allah’s wisdom and decree. Planning, when done with sincerity and the right intentions, becomes an act of worship. It enables us to fulfill our responsibilities, strive for excellence, and make the most of the resources Allah has blessed us with. Through this harmonious blend of effort and reliance, we can achieve success in both this life and the Hereafter.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“If you were to rely upon Allah with the reliance He is due, you would be given provision like the birds: they go out hungry in the morning and return full in the evening.” (Tirmidhi, 2344)
This hadith beautifully illustrates the balance between effort and reliance on Allah. The birds, despite having complete reliance on Allah, do not remain idle. They leave their nests each morning in search of sustenance, and Allah provides for them. Importantly, the hadith highlights that the birds return full (بطانًا), not just partially satisfied. This serves as a profound reminder that when we rely on Allah sincerely while putting in effort, Allah will not only suffice us but bless us abundantly.
True reliance on Allah, therefore, does not negate action; it requires us to actively pursue our goals while trusting that Allah will provide and decree the best outcomes. This combination of effort and trust is the essence of tawakkul.
Laying the Foundation for a Plan
Before diving into planning, it’s essential to clear our minds and ignite our motivation to lay a solid foundation for a plan that truly works for us. To get started, let’s do a few simple yet powerful steps that will pave the way for an amazing, tailor-made planner that fits you perfectly. Grab a nice drink, a pen, and some paper, and let’s begin:
1. Start with a list of achievements or good things that happened last year.
2. Next, make a list of things you’re naturally good at—you can even ask people close to you for their input.
3. Finally, jot down a list of things you love and genuinely enjoy doing.
These lists will serve as your guide for setting goals, planning tasks, and choosing books, courses, or programs to follow. With these lists in hand and a clear, motivated mind, you’ll be ready to craft a plan that works for you!
The Wheel of Life and Balanced Growth
You might find the Wheel of Life to be a helpful tool for personal development, as it focuses on growth in all areas of life while encouraging balance between them. Life aspects vary from person to person, but there are core elements common to most, such as spirituality, health, personal growth, social connections, and family. Additionally, there are aspects that depend on individual circumstances, like career, education, and finances. For example, you might choose to prioritize your career, but this could unintentionally affect other areas like health or family relationships. The Wheel of Life can help you reflect on your progress in each area and work towards creating a better balance that suits your lifestyle.
Setting SMART Goals
After identifying the areas of your life and recognizing your strengths and past achievements, it’s time to set goals. There are certain characteristics that a goal must have in order to be considered a proper goal, and one of the most popular frameworks for this is the SMART goal.
SMART stands for:
1. Specific: The goal should be clear and focused, not vague or general.
2. Measurable: The goal should be quantifiable, so you can track your progress and know when it’s achieved.
3. Achievable: The goal should be realistic and attainable, given your resources and circumstances.
4. Relevant: The goal should align with your overall priorities and life vision.
5. Time-bound: The goal should have a defined timeframe for completion.
For example, instead of saying “I want to be healthy,” a SMART goal would be: “I will exercise three times a week for one month.” This goal is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant to your health, and time-bound.
Practical Tips for Staying on Track
A weekly planner is a helpful tool for maintaining focus. You can plan the main tasks for the week on a single sheet, giving you a clear view of your week ahead. This way, you can switch tasks flexibly if needed, make up for any shortcomings, and take a day off, which is crucial to recharge. This ensures you have the energy to start a new week with fresh tasks and the enthusiasm to complete them.
Remember:
You don’t need to achieve 100% of the planner’s tasks.
The planner isn’t just for setting goals; it’s also for tasks and important deadlines.
Don’t underestimate slow progress.
Downs are part of the process, so accept them and move forward gently.
Use a timer to stay focused and complete tasks efficiently.
Through planning, you avoid falling under the category of being an “Imma’ah,” (a blind follower) which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned us against. By creating a plan for yourself that aligns with your values and principles, you work towards achieving it day by day, keeping it in front of you. This way, there is no room for being driven by the opinions of others without a core purpose guiding you.
As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“None of you should be an Imma’ah, saying: ‘If people do good, I will do good, and if they do wrong, I will do wrong.’ But rather, you should firm yourselves, and if people do good, then do good, and if they do wrong, then refrain.” (Tirmidhi, 2002)
This hadith teaches us the importance of having firm principles and not merely following the crowd. Instead of being swayed by others’ actions, we should remain grounded in our values, striving to do good regardless of the behavior around us. Planning helps us stay focused on our own goals and principles, allowing us to avoid being reactive and instead proactively pursue what aligns with our purpose.
Planning is not just about creating a to-do list or setting goals; it’s about taking control of your time and life in a meaningful way. By strategically organizing your tasks and setting clear, SMART goals, you can ensure that your actions align with your values and priorities. Regularly reviewing your progress, adjusting your plans, and remaining flexible allows you to stay on track, overcome challenges, and make the most of every opportunity.
Planning helps you maintain balance, grow in all aspects of life, and move closer to becoming the best version of yourself, both personally and spiritually. So, take the time to plan, stay focused, and trust the process—it’s the key to unlocking your potential and living a purposeful life.
