LIVING ON BORROWED TIME: LESSONS FROM RAMADAN’S DEPARTURE
By: Sani Abdullahi Kofar-mata
Date: 19th March 2026
INTRODUCTION
The departure of Ramadan on this 19th of March 2026 is more than the passing of a sacred month; it is a profound reminder of the very nature of life itself. Like Ramadan, every moment of human existence is temporary, irretrievable, and steadily slipping away. Time pauses for no one. As we look forward to tomorrow, we are simultaneously moving away from yesterday, and with each passing day, our journey on earth draws closer to its inevitable end.
TIME, LOSS, AND HUMAN HEEDLESSNESS
Life is composed of irreversible moments. Every hour spent is an hour lost forever. Yet, in our daily pursuits, we often rush toward the next week, the next month, or the next year without reflecting on a fundamental reality: every step forward is also a step away from the time we can never reclaim.
This is one of the deepest truths of existence—the more we live, the more we expend from the limited capital of life. Despite this, many people live as though time is infinite. Good deeds are postponed, meaningful decisions are delayed, and tomorrow is taken for granted.
However, tomorrow is never guaranteed. Wisdom begins when one learns to value the present moment, for it is the only time truly within our grasp.
THE CERTAINTY OF DEATH
Death remains the ultimate certainty from which no human being can escape. It comes to the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak, the believer and the unbeliever alike. It may arrive in peace or in hardship, in sleep or in wakefulness, suddenly or after a prolonged illness.
No physician can prevent it, and no wealth can secure exemption from it.
Yet, this truth is not meant to instil fear or despair but awareness. Death reminds us that life is not accidental; it is a trust. It instils humility, awakens urgency, and reinforces accountability. It calls upon every individual to reflect deeply on how they live and what they will ultimately leave behind.
LIFE AS A TRUST AND A TEST
Allah Almighty has honoured humanity with intellect, conscience, and the freedom to choose between right and wrong. This honour is not a privilege for pride but a responsibility for purpose.
We are not created merely to exist but to fulfil a higher calling—to uphold goodness, to serve others, and to contribute meaningfully to society.
The true value of life is not measured by its duration alone but by its quality, direction, and impact. A short life lived with sincerity, integrity, and service is far more valuable than a long life spent in negligence and indifference.
Ultimately, what endures is the legacy we build—through our character, our actions, and our contributions to humanity.
THE LESSONS OF RAMADAN
Ramadan teaches discipline, patience, sacrifice, gratitude, and spiritual renewal. Its departure should awaken in us a deeper consciousness: just as this blessed month has come and gone, so too will our own days inevitably reach their conclusion.
What remains is not the time we were given, but what we did with it.
The wise do not merely observe Ramadan; they internalise its lessons and carry them forward. They continue in worship, self-discipline, compassion, and purposeful living long after the month has passed. In this way, Ramadan transforms from a season into a lifelong standard.
CONCLUSION
Life is borrowed time, and every day is a gift that may never return. We must, therefore, live with awareness, humility, and a clear sense of purpose.
Let us not waste our days in heedlessness or procrastination, but instead dedicate them to building a legacy of faith, righteousness, and positive impact.
For in the end, we are not remembered for how long we lived, but for how truthfully, wisely, and meaningfully we lived.
May Allah grant us the wisdom to value time, the strength to prepare for what lies ahead, and the grace to leave behind a legacy that continues to benefit others.
Sani Abdullahi Kofar-mata.
19th March 2026.