In a time where Muslims should be concerned about the removal of oppressive regimes and tyrant apostate rulers, we find that rather than to study the western civilisation to attack, destroy and expose it, they study it for their own personal benefits, therefore are affected by it and become parts and pieces of the western civilisation (kufr society).

There is a phenomenon in the western way of life, which is that if you have nothing to do or are bored, then find something to 'kill time'. There is no such concept in Islam called boredom or 'killing time' and this disease affects a large portion of Muslims, male and female.

This disease of 'killing time' manifests itself in many forms and the effects of it can be seen in a person who indulges in any of the following:

1. Listening to music and radio
2. Smoking
3. Cruising
4. Watching TV
5. Running away from responsibilities to go on picnics and holidays
6. Daily socialising with the intention to have fun and kill time
7. Sleeping a lot and chilling out
8. Deserting reading serious books such as the Qur'an, Hadith and Fiqh to read cheap newspapers, novels and magazines
9. Playing games
10. Solving crosswords
11. Chatting on the phone for hours
12. Ignoring duties / responsibilities and prefer to rest, slack and be lazy
13. Exceeding ones involvement in sport activities
14. Diverting from the serious, fruitful work to wasting time
15. Playing on the internet for no need
16. Looking for excuses not to do any duties as he is bored with doing them
17. Window shopping and spending hours in the market
18. Going to cinemas and restaurants to eat out
19. Hanging out with friends
20. Joking around and being sarcastic

The effects of this disease called Al-Malal (boredom) is so devastating due to the fact that it affects all people. Some people may say that it is destiny, we cannot change it and it doesn't deserve much attention; but if we study it sincerely and look to the negative effects of Malal in many spheres of life, we can summarise the effects of it in four main categories:

1. Wasting great opportunities to do a lot of good deeds, worship and obedience

The majority of people that face boredom cannot fulfil their own duties and will give them up easily. They will then start to give up performing Nawaafil (supplementary) actions, Sunnah, reading Islamic history and carrying da'wah (by not visiting stalls, rallies etc). When you ask him: 'let's go to stall' or 'let's go to a demonstration', he says: 'I am not in the mood' or 'it is only Sunnah'.

He will also feel bored or tired to perform his duties (da'wah, forbidding evil etc.) but for entertainment (eating, joking, watching TV etc.) he will be the first to do it, and if it is not done he will become extremely angry.

Therefore dear brothers and sisters, be cautious and watch out for the disease of Malal. How many opportunities for worship and obedience have been missed due to this disease?

2. Failure to fulfil aims, duties and ambitions

Al-Malal diverts a person from serious work (Jihad, da'wah etc.) and from serious motivation that every person seeks, which will result in the failure of fulfilling aims, duties and responsibilities. If a person is a student and has this disease, then there is no doubt that he will fail in his own studies. If a person is an employee he will ignore his duties, and likewise a wife will neglect all her responsibilities towards her husband and children.

We can see how many people become affected by this disease. Instead to take part in all means to success, they start wasting precious time…never putting the seed in the soil at the right time, always doing things in the last moment and becoming so stingy. If a hall or centre is needed for Halaqahs, talks or meetings, there will never be any classes as they do nothing to look for one, resulting in sadness, depression and de-motivation.

3. Wasting money, time and life

Those who suffer from malal are always be preoccupied with un-important things and entertainment. They will always waste time and whenever there is opportunity for a holiday, they will want to achieve the maximum amount fun, even though the most important time of their life could be wasted and accounted for.

4. Fall deep into sins and mistakes

Because of the pressure of this disease, he will always convince himself that he is bored and will think about ways in which he can 'kill time' by any means, even by doing haram by using the excuse that the permissible does not give him enough satisfaction or tranquillity. He will start to go above the limit: watching movies, listening to music, smoking cigarettes or sheesha and accompanying corrupted people in school, college or university because of their good companionship or jokes.

He will start taking drugs, deserting salat and sink lower and lower. He will never think about the consequences of that disease nor ask how to deal with it from the Qur'an and Sunnah; rather he will neglect it and say: 'life is short' or I've been doing so much lately, let me take a break.'

Treatment exists for anyone who wants it. If you really want to rid this disease, you must be serious about the solution and must wish sincerely to be free from it. It does not take practical steps towards treatment nor a difficult program. All that is required is for one to go back to his Deen completely and comprehensively. Strengthen his Imaan, rectify his 'Aqeedah and increase 'Ibadah. 10 simple steps to treating this disease are below:

1. Tahdeed ul hadaf - set and specify your targets

This is the most important cure for boredom because most people who are affected confine their targets to material aspects. If asked: 'what are your objectives?' He will say: 'to be a Doctor' or businessman etc. His main objective in life will leave very little time for ritual acts and obedience.

Whereas if he sets up a bigger target in his life, which is total obedience to Allah (the main purpose Allah created him for), which will make him obey Allah with its comprehensive meaning of obedience and will make him control his life within the command of Allah and Messenger (saw). He will never hate, love or do anything in except in accordance with the Shariah and will find the true meaning of life.

Yet Allah has decreed that Muslims, like others will face from time to time concerns, worries, sadness and boredom on some things, but the unique thing about Muslims is that it will pass a very short period of time e.g. for half an hour or 10 minutes as he will be worried not to commit sin or waste time.

2. Fulfil and perfect all waajibat (obligations)

Every Muslim that truly believes in Islam, not just by saying but by actions too will fulfil all of his duties such as da'wah, commanding good and forbidding evil, fulfilling responsibilities towards his parents etc. When he does it, he does it with determination and completes it.

3. Compete on the good deeds

People always complete with dunya issues such as cars, electrical appliances, houses etc. but if competition is for good deeds e.g. da'wah, seeking knowledge etc. then this will destroy the disease of boredom and he will have no time left to 'kill'.

Compete on the good deeds by the following:

1. Trying to compete by doing more waajibat. The best way to compete is to do it regularly and to fulfil all its pillars and conditions
2. Reciting the Qur'an regularly from 4, 6 or 10 pages per day or at least 1 juz' (chapter) per month
3. Maintaining Salat and praying in jama'ah at the Mosque or any other place
4. Pray Salat ud-Duha every morning after Fajr
5. Fasting the 6 days of Shawaal and on Mondays and Thursdays
6. Doing as much sadaqah (charity) as u can

4. Keep away from sin and disobedience

Sin and disobedience will kill with its poison, just like a scorpion when it stings its enemy and causes the enemy to be ill and weak.

5. Make dhikr and du'a everyday

Islam gives complete dhikr (remembrance of Allah) for every aspect of life, from when you wake up to when you pray, look in the mirror, leave your home etc.

6. Fill your time with whatever benefits you related to your duties

If somebody has time he should do something useful such as write a leaflet, attend a stall, write articles and invite people to discuss about Islam etc.

7. Live in good environment

Do not be with or accompany bad friends or be in a free mixing environment etc.

8. Carry da'wah

Carry da'wah properly and collectively with brothers/sisters and keep reminding each other about the duties and rewards.

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: 'Convey from me even one ayah' and 'If Allah guides in your hand one person, it is better than all the camels in Iraq.'

9. Be patient and firm with gratefulness and remember the tests from Allah

10. Engage in mubaah (permissible) activities

For example, studying together in an open area

so wot you all think? some views inshalah...