29 – ʿAbd Allāh narrated to us; he said: ʿAlī ibn al-Jaʿd narrated to us; ʿUmayr ibn al-Haytham al-Raqāshī informed me, from Sufyān ibn Saʿīd, from Abū al-Agharr, from Wahb ibn Munabbih, who said:

“It is recorded in the wisdom of the family of David (peace be upon him) that it is incumbent upon the person of sound reason not to neglect four hours of his day:

1. An hour in which he communes privately with his Lord.
2. An hour in which he takes himself to account.
3. An hour in which he withdraws with his brothers—those who point out his shortcomings and speak truthfully to him about himself.
4. An hour in which he is alone with his lawful and becoming pleasures, for that hour strengthens the other hours and revitalises the heart.

“It is likewise a duty upon the intelligent person that he not be seen travelling except for one of three purposes: gathering provision for the Hereafter, attending to the upkeep of his livelihood, or seeking a pleasure that is unobjectionable.

“And it is a duty upon the intelligent person to be aware of his times, to safeguard his tongue, and to devote himself to his own affairs.”