The Narratives – Mohamed Miah

Do we really need more time? It’s a question that sits at the edge of our modern lives, where the clock is always ticking, calendars fill up fast, and days seem to blend into one another. But let’s pause for a moment. What if time itself is nothing but a social construct, and the real question is not about needing more of it, but rather, about what we are actually doing with the time we already have?

We often believe that to truly live means to feed our stomachs, keep a roof over our heads, pay the bills, and make sure we’re climbing up this imaginary social ladder. A ladder that, if we’re honest, doesn’t even really lead anywhere worth reaching. It’s a loop of validation that constantly asks us to prove ourselves. But to whom? And for what?

This endless cycle – working harder to earn more, to spend more, often on things we don’t need – rarely leaves us feeling fulfilled. Instead, it drives us further from the essence of our existence. And here lies the truth: We weren’t put on this earth just to fill up a bank account or chase an illusion of success measured in digits. Our purpose runs deeper than that.

We need to refocus our lives towards what was prescribed to us. It’s not about abandoning work or ambition, but about asking ourselves where our efforts truly lead. We’re here to call out to God, to ponder His words, to pause and take stock of His magnificence in all that surrounds us. Family, community, and faith – these are the elements that ground us, that give real meaning to our days, far beyond the fleeting rewards of an endless career or material pursuits.

What if we poured more of ourselves into these timeless pursuits? Instead of spending hours consumed by work and worry, could we channel that same energy into uplifting our families, our communities, and, ultimately, our souls? What we need is not more time but to create moments that truly matter, to build connections, and to grow a sense of inner peace that no amount of consumerism can buy.

Deep? Perhaps. But someone needs to snap us out of this trance we live in. Even if it’s just for a brief moment, a moment to reflect, Insha’Allah. Let’s spend the time we’re given with purpose and awareness, seeking not just to exist, but to live meaningfully, in the way we were always meant to.