You might find yourself struggling with free time or unsure of how to benefit from it. Often, time can be wasted on harmful or unhelpful activities, and this sense of emptiness may even turn into a curse, especially if you become accustomed to staying in a comfort zone of inactivity.
However, the insightful Muslim is the one who invests their free time and turns the majority of it into a source of wealth and achievement in their life and work. This person understands the potential benefits of free time. The Prophet ﷺ reminded us of this, saying: “Two blessings which many people squander: Good health and free time.” (Narrated by Bukhari).
Ibn al-Qayyim, in his book Tahdhib Madarij al-Salikin, explains that productive use of time includes engaging in any activity that brings one closer to Allah or supports such an effort, whether it's eating, drinking, getting married, sleeping, or resting. When these actions are done with the intention of strengthening oneself for what pleases Allah and avoiding His displeasure, they are considered part of constructive time usage—even if one finds great pleasure in them. Thus, productive time does not mean abandoning enjoyable things altogether.
Free time can also be a challenge, particularly for youth and teenagers, as they have yet to take on life’s burdens such as work, marriage responsibilities, or raising children—tasks that tend to occupy older individuals. Therefore, this discussion is particularly aimed at them to help them break free from the grip of boredom and turn their free time into positive energy.
First, have you thought about learning a new skill, like doing repairs around your house, such as carpentry, welding, plumbing, and so on? You could start by consulting experts or using available online courses to acquire skills that your family might need or to perform basic tasks on your car, like changing the oil or cleaning filters.
If some youth find this uninteresting, why not try gardening at home, decorating your house, adding a touch of beauty, or decluttering? Rearranging your space can help reduce boredom and chaos, giving you a sense of order and hope as you prioritize your life just as you organized your room and home.
Some people shy away from physical effort to escape boredom and look for an easy, simple task. If this describes you, grab your phone and call relatives, sincerely reconnecting and asking about their wellbeing. You’ll be rewarded with their kind prayers, which will renew your energy and faith. The Prophet ﷺ said: “He who desires ample provisions and his life be prolonged, should maintain good ties with his blood relations” (Narrated by Bukhari).
If boredom continues to chase you and you are drawn to your computer, why not learn a skill such as Photoshop, graphic design, or data entry at a fast pace? You could even take a course in these fields, learn website design, or develop skills in organizing advertising and marketing campaigns, which could earn you considerable income and turn your free time into a real treasure.
Exercise is another quick way to fill free time. You might swim, play soccer, go running, ride a bike, or even go horseback riding. The important thing is to actively engage in sports rather than just watching them, to renew your energy and regain vitality. Participating in school, local, or international competitions can also give you a goal to strive toward, with the intention of embodying the Prophet’s ﷺ words: “A believer who is strong (and healthy) is better and dearer to Allah than the weak believer, but there is goodness in both of them. Be keen on what benefits you and seek help from Allah, and do not give up. If anything afflicts you do not say, ‘If I had done such and such things, such and such would have happened.’ But say, ‘Allah decrees and what He wills He does,’ for (the utterance) ‘If I had’ provides an opening for the deeds of the devil” (Narrated by Muslim).
Reading is a wise option to combat boredom, offering attractive solutions to use your time well. Whether it’s skimming a book, reading poetry, viewing old memories, watching a documentary, or an artistic work with a purposeful message, engaging with any type of reading stimulates the mind, keeps the brain healthy, and enhances focus, analysis, and correct inference, according to modern studies.
One of the most meaningful activities that can turn your free time into a treasure is doing good deeds. Plant a tree, offer food to the needy, participate in a volunteer activity, engage in a charity project, or donate to a hospital or an orphanage. Doing good will reflect positively on you, making you feel that your life has value
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