Time is the most precious resource a person possesses — yet it is the one most people waste. Ibn al-Jawzi, rahimahullah, one of the greatest scholars of the Hanbali school, wrote extensively on the importance of using one's life wisely before it slips away. In his book Awaking from the Sleep of Heedlessness, he divides human life into five distinct stages, each with its own obligations and opportunities.
The following is an excerpt from pages 20–22.
The Five Stages of Life
You should know — may Allah grant you success — that the stages of life are five:
- The First Stage: From birth until puberty — approximately fifteen years. This is the stage of childhood.
- The Second Stage: From puberty until thirty-five years of age. This is the stage of youthfulness.
- The Third Stage: From thirty-five until fifty years of age. This is the stage of maturity.
- The Fourth Stage: From fifty until seventy years of age. This is the stage of old age.
- The Fifth Stage: From seventy until death. This is the stage of decrepitude.
The start and end of these stages may fluctuate from person to person. Nonetheless, their stages are five.
The First Stage — Childhood
This stage is mainly concerning the parents, for they spend it disciplining, teaching, and leading their child toward what benefits him. Parents should never slacken in disciplining and teaching their child, because: "The effect of learning in early age is like engraving on a stone."
Ali ibn Abi Talib, radiyAllahu anhu, said regarding the ayah:
"Protect yourselves and your families from a fire." (At-Tahrim 66:6)
He said: "Teach them and discipline them."
Parents should teach the child about religious purity and how to pray, and they should lightly discipline the child for neglecting prayer after reaching nine years of age. (Authenticated by al-Albani)
They should encourage children to memorise the Qur'an, make them listen to the ahadith of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and teach them whatever they can handle from knowledge. They should show them the ugliness of all that is ugly, and encourage them to acquire good manners. For this is the stage of plantation — what is planted here will be harvested for a lifetime.
Recognising the brevity and structure of life is the first step toward living it with purpose rather than heedlessness — a theme explored further in our reflection on Aspiring to Be a Stranger.
About the Book
Awaking from the Sleep of Heedlessness by Ibn al-Jawzi is a timeless reminder of how to use the gift of life before it is taken. Published by Dar As-Sunnah. Available at The Islamic Book Cafe for $8.00.
Baarakallahu feekum — The Islamic Book Cafe | Portland, Oregon
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