The Truth About Time
Time is the most precious asset we possess, utilized daily as we set alarms to avoid being late or rushing. It governs medical, social, and political schedules. We often decline invitations due to a lack of free time, frequently hearing that agendas are packed, particularly for businessmen and medical clinics. While the cycles of night and day may shift, time itself remains constant. Naturally, some countries adjust their clocks forward or backward according to their work-hour interests.
God Almighty said: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. By time, indeed mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.” (Surah Al-Asr, 1-3) — The Truth spoken by Allah, the Most High, the Great.
This verse is among the most prominent Quranic evidences regarding the importance of time, as Allah swears by it to clarify that human life is one’s capital, and utilizing it in acts of obedience is the path to salvation from loss. The value of time is also evident in many other verses of the Holy Quran. Every minute that passes from a person’s life diminishes it; thus, one is in constant loss unless they invest their time in faith, righteous deeds, and calling others to good.
Currently, the world’s attention is focused on the World Cup matches. Islamic and Arab crowds rally around the participating national teams. I was particularly struck by the joy of the Kuwaiti and Arab public upon the Egyptian national team’s victory and qualification for the Round of 16, celebrating this historic milestone. Egyptian national team coach Captain Hossam Hassan added to the cause of Palestine by raising the Palestinian flag inside the stadium. I followed the crowds’ presence in halls, cafes, and celebrations marking this victory.
This raises the question: How many World Cups do we need to unite as Arab and Islamic peoples? From this sentiment, I derived the idea for a commercial and industrial project involving all Arab and Islamic nations. We possess capital, suitable locations, and unemployed labor, while global markets can absorb everything. Indeed, Allah distributed abundant resources within the earth, including minerals and raw materials for manufacturing. All products and materials exist; they do not perish nor are they created from nothing. I believe that when world countries, especially those in the region, engage in joint industrial and commercial efforts, we will move away from issues of leadership and focus on what benefits people. Even the issue of the Strait of Hormuz and the delay in ship transit would change; if those ships were owned collectively by proportional shares, no party would dare close the strait, and interests would be shared.
The “Hormuz” Headache: Has this international strait become a mirror reflecting the outcomes of the ongoing war and the implementation of the ceasefire agreement? The International Maritime Organization states that 29 ships have been subjected to attacks, resulting in the death of 10 sailors. More than 11,000 sailors remain stranded in the strait even after the ceasefire agreement. The opening and closing of the Strait of Hormuz cause global concern, particularly for shipping companies and insurers. Many interests have halted due to this ongoing turmoil.
Economic Liberation: The Animal Feed Crisis: Recently, an animal feed crisis emerged due to low stockpiles and reliance on imports from overseas. There is a saying by the Lebanese thinker and writer Gibran Khalil Gibran: “Woe to a nation that eats what it does not sow, wears what it does not sew, and drinks what it does not press.” Today, in Kuwait—the oil capital—we can rely on massive petrochemical industries to produce all materials necessary for manufacturing. On the other hand, we have our great sister, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which we can rely on for food industries, and the Republic of Sudan, which can also be relied upon for grain production.
In conclusion, the common Arab market complements one another, and any shortage faced by a sister country can be filled. However, the role of politics and shared interests remains, compelling us to view the world as a small village. O Allah, preserve upon us the blessings of security and safety, and protect Kuwait and its people from all harm.
