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A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Yousra Samir Imran.

Good morning.

It feels like it was Friday only a couple of days ago. Scientists try to explain this quick passing of time, by saying that as we get older, our perception of time changes due to the slowing in the processing activity of our brains. But as a person of faith, the rapid passing of time has faith-based explanations.

In Islam, it is believed that one of the signs of the end of times, is time moving faster. A week feels like a day, a month like a week, and so on. This is due to the gradual loss of barakah, or blessing, in time. In several places in the Qur’an, Allah says humans, when they die, will be asked how much time they spent on Earth, and they will say, ‘a day or part of a day.’

It turns out, one of the ways to remedy that, is to remember God more. Dhikr in Arabic, means remembrance, and it is a major Islamic spiritual practice outside of prayer. It is simply remembering God, whether out loud or in your heart, and it can be done pretty much anywhere at any time.

But how does one remember to remember God, when life is moving at 1000 mph?

I think about how my toddler, is building up a daily routine, which to me is now second nature – going to the toilet when he wakes up, washing his face and hands, or brushing his teeth. Perhaps I can apply that logic in building up a routine of remembering God. My hope is that eventually; it will become second nature.

Oh God, you do not forget us, your servants, so increase our ability to live in a way, that is constantly in your remembrance.

Ameen.

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