If We Could Change Time
By Azher Quader
Community Builders Council
Chicago, IL

It was time to change our clocks again today It was time to take a back step in time and move our clocks an hour back. This annual exercise has always intrigued me. As I went about the routine of turning back clock time, I wondered how nice it would have been if we could have been given the ability to turn back the time clocks of our lives just as easily. We would probably correct a few wrongs and fix a few faults that we all commit in this unrehearsed, unscripted and impromptu drama we call life.

For starters we would probably spend a lot more time in the company of our loved ones: our parents, our spouses, our children and other special ones. Those that are here and those that are gone. We would toss away this nonsense about quality time that society brainwashes us with and realize the relevance and the reality of quantity time for which there is no substitute. In our relationships that matter the most, we would perhaps practice giving unconditional love, the kind of unpolluted love that is not mixed with any expectations and has no strings attached. We would express it more fondly, more frankly and more frequently.

We would perhaps take more time off from the rigors of work and school to smell the roses and gaze at the stars. We would probably travel more to enjoy the fascinating world of nature around us and visit the historic sites of antiquity to learn from them the lessons that no classroom can ever teach. We would perhaps listen more to music, play ball a little more or maybe learn to swim or paint. Life’s little pleasurable explorations we never experienced. We would probably choose our friends more carefully too, yes, those that ask more give little, the double-faced ones, the ones with hidden agendas. We would speak our mind more openly, and complain about others behind their backs less often. We would perhaps listen a little more to the ideas and arguments of others instead of forcing always our views on others. We would forgive more easily and hold grudges less readily. We would practice humility for a change and let go of our arrogant ways. We would frown less and smile more.

We would build bridges not barriers, networks not walls.

We would honor our commitments more and practice being on time more often. We would give more in charity to support the needs of others after our needs are met. We would probably also speak more loudly against injustice and corruption. We would strive more to be just and fair in our dealings with others and exert more sincerely to serve our neighbors.

But since real time never takes a back step and relentlessly marches on giving us no second chances to undo the past, we can only go forward. In doing so the best we can do is to learn what we can from our past experiences, and continue the journey, knowing full well that we hold within our power the ability to choose and act to make our today’s and our tomorrows better than our yesterdays.

However playfully we tinker with time, our journey to God continues without change. With each ticking moment we are all nearing His approach, when whether we like it or not an accounting of our deeds is to take place. While worldly time is still given to us, let us not squander it in regrets.

May the guidance of the Qur’an protect us from the tests and trials of our times.