A time exclusively devoted for non-haram pleasure [with the family].

A time exclusively devoted for non-haram pleasure [with the family]. It is with this [fourth] time segment that you will be able to maintain (or master) the other three times..."[^2] The last segment of time is very important. Even according to a new analysis by Richard Esterlin, an economist at the University of Southern California, "We should apply our time and energy to health and family life, rather than to material goods, if we really want to be happy."[^3] B.

Financial Management You might be surprised that Islam has talked about financial management. It has done so because it is a comprehensive way of life. Islam expects its followers to plan their lives in such a way that they can live within their means and resources. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s) says; “From the signs of a believer are three things: Good management of livelihood; Patience in face of calamity; Study of religion.

[^4] The story of Prophet Yusuf (a.s), in the twelfth chapter of the Qur'an, clearly portrays that one has to plan and manage the resources wisely. The King of Egypt saw a dream in which seven fat cattle were devouring seven lean ones, and he saw seven green ears and seven dry ones.

Prophet Yusuf interpreted the King's dream, informing him that there would be seven years of good harvest followed by seven years of severe drought, and that he should conserve the first seven years harvest for the next seven years' drought. Prophet Yusuf was given the charge of the treasury of the land and he wisely managed the distribution as well as the storing of the grains during the first seven years and, consequently, the country did not suffer hunger during the seven years or drought.

The Problem of Extravagance and Waste One of the biggest problems in financial management is extravagance and waste. lmam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s) said to 'Ubayd bin Zurarah: “O 'Ubayd, extravagance (and waste) brings about poverty whereas planning brings about affluence.” [^5] There are two concepts in Islam: israf and tabdhir . “ Israrf ” means extravagance without being wasteful; overspending and living beyond one's means. Whereas “ tabdhir ” means wasting the blessings of God.

Israf has been condemned in both religious as well as secular aspects of life. “O children of Adam!