The accomplished saint, Sayyidunā Mālik b. Dinar رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه, says, “Indeed, this day and night are treasures, so ponder where you are spending these treasures.”^[1]

The night and day are two guests

Imam Ḥasan al-Baṣrī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states, “O son of Ādam! This day and night are your guests. They will depart quickly whilst praising you or cursing you.”^[2]

Ah! A day of my life has passed by

It was the blessed habit of Sayyidunā Mufaḍḍal b. Yūnus رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه that when night would come, he would say, “Ah! A day of my life has decreased!” When day would come, he would say, “Ah! A night of my life has passed away.” When his final moments arrived, he cried and said, “I know a day full of calamities is about to come upon me. Ah! That will be a most grievous day. Indeed, He is the True Lord who decreed death for His creation.” He then recited this verse of Surah al-Mulk:

الَّذِیۡ  خَلَقَ الۡمَوۡتَ وَ الۡحَیٰوۃَ لِیَبۡلُوَکُمۡ  اَیُّکُمۡ  اَحۡسَنُ عَمَلًا ؕ

He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is better in virtue ^[3]

After reciting this, he took his final breath and left this world.^[4]

Who is the wise one?

The final Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, اَلْکَیِّسُ مَنْ دَانَ نَفْسَہٗ وَ عَمِلَ لِمَا بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ “The wise person is the one who takes himself to account and works towards that which is to come after death.”^[5]