Written by: Maulana Abu Al-Hasan Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani
Question:
We often hear people say that "these times have become very bad." Is it correct to say that the times have become very bad?
Answer:
In the era of ignorance, when the polytheists of Arabia faced distress, grief, or any calamity, they would exclaim, "Ya Khaibat al-Dahr" (Oh, the destruction of time!). They attributed these actions to time, cursing and vilifying it, although the Creator of these actions is Allah, the Almighty. In essence, by cursing time, they were indirectly cursing Allah.
Imam Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, in his commentary on Surah Al-Jathiyah, mentions a narration from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), where the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"The people of the Jahiliyyah (ignorance) used to say, 'It is only night and day that destroys us; it is they who cause us to die and bring us to life.' So Allah said in His Book, 'They say: There is nothing but our worldly life; we die and we live, and nothing destroys us except time.'"
[Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 4/109]
This verse's interpretation shows that cursing time and attributing one's difficulties and sufferings to it is an act of the polytheists of Arabia and atheists. In reality, cursing time is akin to cursing Allah. In Sahih Bukhari, it is narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"Allah, the Almighty, said: 'The son of Adam hurts Me, for he curses time, whereas I am Time (i.e., the Creator and Controller of time). In My Hand are all affairs, and I alternate the night and the day.'"
[Bukhari, Book of Tafsir: Chapter on the Explanation of Surah Al-Jathiyah: 4826; Muslim: 2246; Humaydi: 2/468; Musnad Ahmad: 2/238; Abu Dawood: 5274]
Similarly, Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"Do not curse time, for Allah is Time (i.e., the Controller of time)."
[Musnad Abi Ya'la: 10/452]
In another narration, the following words are mentioned:
"None of you should say: 'Woe to time!' for indeed Allah is Time (i.e., the Controller of time)."
[Hilyat al-Awliya: 8/258]
Imam al-Khattabi explains the meaning of "I am Time" as follows:
"I am the One Who controls time and manages the affairs that they attribute to time. Therefore, whoever curses time due to believing that it is the cause of these events, his curse returns to his Lord, who is the actual doer of these events."
[Fath al-Bari: 16/575]
Therefore, criticizing time, which has become common among the masses with expressions like "the times have become bad," "these are difficult times," or "the times are ruined," is essentially cursing Allah because the entire system of the universe is under the control of Allah alone. He is the Creator, the One who gives life and death, the Manager of all affairs, the Organizer, and the One who rectifies all matters. Thus, criticizing time and these affairs is akin to criticizing Allah, the Creator of all. It is essential to refrain from such statements.
Question:
We often hear people say that "these times have become very bad." Is it correct to say that the times have become very bad?
Answer:
In the era of ignorance, when the polytheists of Arabia faced distress, grief, or any calamity, they would exclaim, "Ya Khaibat al-Dahr" (Oh, the destruction of time!). They attributed these actions to time, cursing and vilifying it, although the Creator of these actions is Allah, the Almighty. In essence, by cursing time, they were indirectly cursing Allah.
Imam Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, in his commentary on Surah Al-Jathiyah, mentions a narration from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), where the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"The people of the Jahiliyyah (ignorance) used to say, 'It is only night and day that destroys us; it is they who cause us to die and bring us to life.' So Allah said in His Book, 'They say: There is nothing but our worldly life; we die and we live, and nothing destroys us except time.'"
[Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 4/109]
This verse's interpretation shows that cursing time and attributing one's difficulties and sufferings to it is an act of the polytheists of Arabia and atheists. In reality, cursing time is akin to cursing Allah. In Sahih Bukhari, it is narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"Allah, the Almighty, said: 'The son of Adam hurts Me, for he curses time, whereas I am Time (i.e., the Creator and Controller of time). In My Hand are all affairs, and I alternate the night and the day.'"
[Bukhari, Book of Tafsir: Chapter on the Explanation of Surah Al-Jathiyah: 4826; Muslim: 2246; Humaydi: 2/468; Musnad Ahmad: 2/238; Abu Dawood: 5274]
Similarly, Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"Do not curse time, for Allah is Time (i.e., the Controller of time)."
[Musnad Abi Ya'la: 10/452]
In another narration, the following words are mentioned:
"None of you should say: 'Woe to time!' for indeed Allah is Time (i.e., the Controller of time)."
[Hilyat al-Awliya: 8/258]
Imam al-Khattabi explains the meaning of "I am Time" as follows:
"I am the One Who controls time and manages the affairs that they attribute to time. Therefore, whoever curses time due to believing that it is the cause of these events, his curse returns to his Lord, who is the actual doer of these events."
[Fath al-Bari: 16/575]
Therefore, criticizing time, which has become common among the masses with expressions like "the times have become bad," "these are difficult times," or "the times are ruined," is essentially cursing Allah because the entire system of the universe is under the control of Allah alone. He is the Creator, the One who gives life and death, the Manager of all affairs, the Organizer, and the One who rectifies all matters. Thus, criticizing time and these affairs is akin to criticizing Allah, the Creator of all. It is essential to refrain from such statements.