Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an: “Seek, through what Allah has given you, the Home of the Hereafter, but do not forget your share of this world.”[1]  This verse teaches believers the balance they should maintain between this world and the Hereafter. Islam does not prohibit people from resting, spending time with their families or enjoying the lawful blessings that Allah has provided. However, a Muslim’s life should never involve neglecting their worship, abandoning their responsibilities or falling into excess.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!
With the arrival of summer, many people go on holiday to rest and recover from the fatigue of daily life. Rest is part of human nature. Indeed, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) acknowledged that people need time to rest and allowed his companions to enjoy lawful recreation and relaxation. However, for a believer, a holiday is not a time when worship, devotion and good character are put on hold. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “There are two blessings which many people squander: health and free time.”[2]

Today, many people waste their free time rather than making good use of it. Yet for a believer, time is one of the most valuable assets. Holidays should not become days of carelessness, wastefulness, sin or even rebellion against Allah. Rather, they should be days in which we rest while also renewing ourselves, caring for our families and drawing closer to Allah.

Dear Jama’ah!
Today, when people think of a holiday, luxury resorts, unlimited consumption and entertainment often come to mind. However, for a Muslim, the true measure is the pleasure of Allah. If, while on holiday, we neglect our prayers, disregard the boundaries of modesty, fall into wastefulness or begin to treat what is forbidden as something ordinary, then we need to reflect on our actions. Knowing one’s limits and not overstepping them is the hallmark of a true believer. Let us not put our responsibilities towards Allah on hold by saying, “I’m on holiday.” During holidays, especially at “all-inclusive” resorts, food waste reaches astonishing levels. We should avoid waste with the same care in our homes, workplaces and holidays alike. Staying away from waste is a means of attaining Allah’s love. Allah (swt) says: “Eat and drink, but do not waste. Indeed, Allah does not love the wasteful.”[3]

Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Holidays are also a great opportunity to maintain family ties. Visiting our parents, checking on our relatives and seeking the prayers of our elders are far more rewarding than many holiday activities. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: “Whoever wishes for their provision to be increased and their life to be blessed should maintain the ties of kinship.”[4]

In another hadith, he said: “The pleasure of Allah lies in the pleasure of one’s parents, and the displeasure of Allah lies in the displeasure of one’s parents.”[5]

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, let us make our holidays not only a time to rest our bodies, but also a time to strengthen our family bonds, seek the prayers of our parents, spend quality time with our children and draw closer to Allah (swt).

May Allah (swt) make us among those who do not waste their time, who are grateful for His blessings, who are kind to their parents, who uphold the ties of kinship and who preserve their consciousness of worship wherever they may be. Ameen.

[1] Surah Al-Qasas, 28:77

[2] Buhârî, Rikâk, 1

[3] Surah A‘râf, 7:31

[4] Buhârî, Edeb, 12; Müslim, Birr, 20

[5] Tirmizî, Birr, 3