Benjamin Franklin's Adage on Time and the Nigerian Punctuality Challenge

A widely recognised quote on time management, often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, states that 'Time lost is never found again.' This adage serves as a stark reminder, especially for individuals in Nigeria and the wider world who adhere to Islamic principles, a faith that profoundly values punctuality. Sadly, the author observes a disturbing escalation of the 'African Time' culture, a characteristic societal trait, making even religious gatherings suffer from chronic lateness.

During a recent religious event scheduled to begin at 10 AM, the venue remained sparsely populated two hours past the designated start time. This led to contemplation on whether Nigeria's challenging economic conditions might be a contributing factor. However, this notion was quickly dismissed, given Islam's strong emphasis on the importance of timeliness. The subsequent overcrowding of the venue suggested that lateness is a pervasive issue, despite punctuality not being an alien concept to Muslims.

Islam meticulously defines specific timeframes for its religious observances. Each of the five daily prayers has a designated period for performance. The month for Ramadan fasting is fixed, and the fast itself is observed from dawn until dusk. Similarly, Zakat, the obligatory charity on wealth, has a maturity period and a minimum threshold. The annual pilgrimage to Makkah is also confined to a specific period within the Islamic lunar calendar.

Further examples include the precisely timed periods for the pre-dawn meal (sahur) and the breaking of the fast (iftar) during Ramadan, as well as the specific time for standing at Arafat during the Hajj. Muslims who disregard these allocated times risk forfeiting the spiritual rewards of these acts of worship, highlighting that their efficacy is tied to their timely execution. Delay in performing these devotional acts diminishes their significance, underscoring the critical role of punctuality in a Muslim's devotion and service to Allah (SWT).

Allowing two or more hours to pass beyond the scheduled start time for any event—be it social, economic, or religious—is detrimental to our image as Muslims, particularly when the event is religious. This lax attitude towards time has worsened, with many individuals showing up late for public gatherings, including lectures and Islamic graduations. Across various sectors, both leaders and followers exhibit a disregard for time. Exceptions are typically found in the military and the medical profession, where discipline and punctuality are paramount and considered the cornerstone of their operations.

Arriving late for meetings, especially routine ones, is not punctuality. Neither is using one's position to postpone a meeting simply due to an inability to arrive on time. It is unacceptable for anyone, regardless of their status, to keep others waiting without a valid reason, infringing upon their right to efficient time management. In contrast to Western societies where protocols might dictate that a leader arrives last at a public function, Islam mandates that leaders should not only be punctual but should arrive ahead of others.

It is inappropriate for invited guests to be kept waiting due to the late arrival of chairpersons or guests of honour, which delays the commencement of programmes. The tardiness of VIPs at public functions significantly damages the image of Muslims. Islam places immense value on time, as evidenced by the precise timings for the five daily prayers. Allah (SWT) states in the Quran 2:238, 'Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, especially the middle prayer; and stand before Allah in a devoid (frame of mind).'

The late arrival of special guests at public events frequently disrupts the planned schedule. Besides causing others to wait, these VIPs often necessitate the rushing or skipping of agenda items due to subsequent commitments. The allocated durations for speeches are also commonly affected by such adjustments. The Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) discourages Imams (leaders of prayer) from making worshippers wait unnecessarily when it is time for prayer.

Hence, the concept of 'African Time,' often considered the de facto standard for events in Nigeria, is un-Islamic. It should be abandoned from our approach to time and daily activities in favour of 'Islamic Time.' Punctuality signifies organisation, which is a prerequisite for timeliness. Employing tools like a diary for recording scheduled activities or setting smartphone alerts can significantly aid in achieving punctuality.

Adhering to time is not only dignifying to Islam but also elevates our honour as Muslims. We urge Muslims to treat their roles at public events, whether as special or ordinary guests, as a significant responsibility. Let us all be punctual in our endeavours. Failure to keep to time diminishes our respect. May Allah (SWT) guide us to embrace the noble quality of punctuality, Amin.