Review of the article “Enigma of Time”

I have read Fethullah Gulen’s article “Enigma of Time” in the newest 94 issue of Fountain, which is the bi-monthly educational magazine dedicated to scientific and spiritual thought. The aim of this beautifully written article is to describe tremendous value of time. The article deeply influenced me by making me rethink and rearrange my personal time management as well as to encourage others to use their time more efficiently.

The beginning of the article contains one of the most striking points. The author says, “Under no circumstances can it be said that any nation possesses a greater authority than others with respect to physical power or spiritual values. However, when it comes to managing time and utilizing every second as if they were precious stones, some nations are considerably more advanced than others.” If we think about different nations of the world, we can see some nations that do not possess valuable natural resources they can build their economies on. Moreover, these nations are not advantageous in their geographic positions. Nevertheless, surprisingly, these nations might be more economically, scientifically and culturally advanced than other more fortunate in terms of resources and position nations. Indeed these nations possess effective and productive time management which compensates lack of resources and other barriers to prosperity. Gulen continues, “If any nation desires to attain honor, splendor, and glory, with the hopes of being a balancing factor in international relations, then they must first learn to command time. Not even a millisecond of it should be wasted, and the methods used to fully utilize time should be taught to succeeding generations.” Yes, even a millisecond of effectively used time can transform to countless bounties.

So why is time so important? Fethullah Gulen gives very informative definition of time that explains why it has a tremendous value. He writes, “It is a precious jewel to be acquired and put to use. It is the most valuable commodity we have, and an important capital bestowed upon humanity in this marketplace we call the world.” The exact definition of time as ‘commodity’ is a key to understanding the value of time. Just like a commodity time can be traded to anything a person or a nation want to attain, in case it is used effectively.

Those people who believe that they don’t have enough time should take example of renown individuals and scholars who managed to leave behind incredibly valuable works and inventions, although they had just an average and even shorter life span than many other people. By using their time wisely they utilized the inheritance of the past in the best possible way, and investigated, in every detail, the time in which they lived. Gulen provides several examples of these great personalities. “Great thinkers like Ghazali attained a second existence; those like Rumi were entranced by the uplifting breaths of time, and embraced every corner of the world with its clamor; scientists like Newton, interpreting even the smallest event, such as an apple falling to the ground, discovered the laws like gravity, and proved that time could suffice for everything.” For those who can effectively utilize it, time can be more expansive and fruitful; while for those who mercilessly waste it, time turns out to be an empty hole.

It is important to teach our future generations how to use time efficiently if we want our children to have a bright future. As Gulen says, “The fortunate generations of the future are going to make the best possible use of time, are not going to fail at working while thinking, at reading while working, and while reading, they will not neglect serving others for the sake of exalted ideals. They will know how to remain forever lively, forever colorful.”

To read the entire article please click on the following link http://www.fountainmagazine.com/Issue/detail/the-enigma-of-time-july-2013