The Preservation of Time, by Abū al-Faraj Ibn al-Jawzī, Ibn Badis Éditions

Imam Abū Al-Faraj ibn Al-Jawzī (d. 597 H.), may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Considering the status which would be the highest, I meditated on the states of man , and I realized that most creatures are in loss. Some young people exaggerate in disobedience. Some are careless in the pursuit of science. Some are excessive in delighting in pleasures. When they grow old, when it is too late to make up for past sins, or when strength wanes, or when good has been missed, all will regret. Old age will then pass in regret. Ṣayd al-khāṭir, p. 231

He also says, “I have seen many people not understanding the meaning of life. Some, Allah has made them dispense with the need to seek to earn a living, because of the abundance of their wealth. They spend most of the day sitting in the market, watching people, and how much evil and blame passes before them. Some isolate themselves to play chess. Some pass the time discussing news about sultans, rising and falling prices, and the like. I then knew that Allah Most High does not grant knowledge of the importance of life and knowledge of the value of time when one is preserved, except to the one to whom He has given. granted success and the inspiration to profit from it. “…and it is only given to the possessor of infinite grace.” [Fuṣṣilat: 35]» Ṣayd al-khāṭir, pp. 206-207