This document provides tips on effective time management for Muslim students. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing tasks, creating schedules, controlling interruptions, and using time productively. The hadith remind us that we will be accountable for how we spent our youth, wealth, knowledge and time. Proper time management is a tool for success in school and in life.

1. Put Time on Your Side
Time Management for Muslim Students

2. All In Loss! Except those With Patience &
Perseverance
By Time (Allah Swears by His Creation of Time),
All of mankind is in a state of loss;
except those who believe and do righteous
deeds, and exhort each other in truth (all

3. • Narrated Abdullah Bin Mas`ud Allah ’s
Messenger (PBUH) said:
“A man shall be asked concerning five things
on the day of resurrection: concerning his life,
how he spent it; concerning his youth, how he
grew old; concerning his wealth, whence he
acquired it, and in what way he spent it; and
what was it that he did with the knowledge that
he had.” (Tirmidhi 5197)

4. Ibn Abbas narrated that Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) said:
"There are two blessings which many
people lose: (They are) health and free
time for doing good."
(Bukhari 8/421)

5. “Managing” Time
• The basic element of time is events.
• The key to managing time is event
control.
• The way this occurs is by planning and
organizing.

6. What is time management?
• It’s making the best use you can of that
most precious resource, time.
• Time management really means
managing yourself.
• A way to be happier, more effective, and
more successful !

7. Why is time management so important?
Because time management is a tool you need to
succeed –in school and beyond! It enables you
to:
• Achieve more
• Have more free time
• Lead a balanced life
• Meet deadlines
• Be happy & content

8. You owe it to yourself to
use time well!

9. Will time management really help me?
Absolutely!
“Won’t time management make my life too
scheduled and take the fun out of it?”
No! Effective time management will give
you the freedom and the ability to do
what you really want with your life.

10. Where does your time go?
Before you can manage your time, you need to know how you spend it
now. Here’s how to find out:
Keep a time log.
• Carry a notebook everywhere you go. Every 15 minutes, jot
down what you’re doing—a short note will do.
• Make entries as you go along—don’t wait until later.
• Keep the time log for a week.
Evaluate the results.
Review the log and ask yourself:
• Did I do everything I had to do?
• Was I rushed for time to get things done?
• Did I meet all deadlines?
• What personal habits kept me from achieving my goals?
• At what time of day was I most productive? Least?

11. Make a list
of everything you plan to do. Divide the list into:
Fixed commitments
These are tasks you must do
at a certain time—meetings,
appointments, etc. Other
examples include:
• Prayer
• Classes
• Sleeping
• Meals
• Job.
Flexible commitments
These are obligations you can
meet on your own time. For
example:
•Study times
•Homework
•Social events
•Time spent with friends or relaxing.

12. Use the list correctly
• Write it down. List everything you have
to do on paper. Unless the list is written,
“things to do” are less apt to get done!
• Update the list. Every day, cross items
off the list as you do them, and add new
items.

13. Learn to schedule
A schedule lets you pick the best times to work and play. It puts
you in charge of your time. Successful people know this...and
take time to plan!
How to schedule?
• Use a Planner!
buy or make your own weekly planning guide. Schedule
key events, projects, deadline.
• Divide and conquer.
make your work manageable. Divide large tasks into
several smaller parts and complete one part at a time.
• Focus on goals.
don’t lose sight of your larger goals and aims! Know the
big picture!

14. Prioritizing
Prioritizing is identifying the appropriate
value and order of events.
 A = High value; must be done, and/or must
be done today
 B = Medium value; important and should be
done
 C = Optional; could be done

15. Know your peak times
If you’re like most people, you probably enjoy certain
parts of the day when you’re at your best. Which are
yours?
High energy times
The time of day I:
•Have the most energy
•Feel the most productive
•Think most clearly
Low energy times
The time of day I:
•Fade quickly
•Have the least energy
•Feel least alert

16. Control interruptions
Interruptions can eat up massive chunks of time.
They can be anything!
The most common ones include:
• Drop-in visitors
• Noise
• Telephone calls
• Interruptions you create for the sake of
distraction.
• Time wasting websites

17. But you can control them. Here’s how:
1. Have your own study. Use a quiet, well-lit
place to study. You’ll find it easier to focus on
your work. A library is often best.
2. Schedule social time. You’ll achieve a nice
balance between work and play knowing that
you’ve planned enough time for both.
3. Learn to say no. Be assertive. Politely but
firmly let visitors and phone callers know that
you’re busy.
4. Control distractions. Turn off the TV and
stereo. Don’t allow interruptions. Make your
environment as conducive to working as
possible.

18. More important tips
to help you stretch the clock
Use waiting time. Think of the hours spent waiting in
lines, between classes, etc. use this time to read a book,
jot down ideas, etc.
Don’t cram. It’s ineffective and inefficient. Have an
organized way to study for tests—and give yourself
plenty of time!
Tackle hard subjects first. The feeling of achievement
can give your day momentum. Build on success!
Avoid perfectionism. Unless perfection is called for,
don’t waste valuable time trying to make every project
you do letter-perfect.

19. Know your instructions. There’s no bigger waste of
time than following the wrong directions for an
assignment. If you’re not sure, ask your instructor.
Take care of yourself. Proper exercise and nutrition
help you stay physically fit and mentally alert. Make time
for both.
Plan creative time. Schedule time each day to do things
that recharge your creative batteries or help put your life
in perspective,
Don’t over commit. Don’t spread yourself too thin.
Commit yourself to only those activities you can manage
in the time you have.

20. Time - Use it, do not abuse it !
Our attitude towards time indicates our attitude
towards the value of the capital of life. If we
want to purchase something, we require
financial capital; and if we want to do
something in life, we require the capital of life,
time. That is why the Qur'an exhorts us to
value the time we have before life is up.

21. • Wasting time is much more dangerous than
squandering property, because unlike property,
time cannot be compensated.
• Free time is a blessing that is overlooked, and
not wholly appreciated by many people.

22. • Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), used to supplicate: "O
Allah! I seek refuge in You from sorrow and distress, and
I seek refuge in You from disability and laziness."
• One of the methods of managing his time properly is for
a Muslim to get up early and sleep early, for early hours
always yield great blessings.
• Starting his day with prayer and the supplication of the
morning brings the Muslim Allah's grace. A Muslim
should always bear in mind that every time has its own
task that suits it. Doing tasks in their due times brings
about peace of mind and comfort.