Abu Bakrah (a Companion) said:
“A man said to the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam: “Who is the best of people?” He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “The best of people is one whose life is long and his con- duct is good.” The man said: “Then who is the worst of people?” To which he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “The worst of people is one whose life is long and his conduct is evil.”1
Al-Mubaarakpoori (a scholar) said: “At-Tayyibi (a scholar) said: ‘Time and the hours that pass are like the trader’s capital, so one must utilize them to trade in what is profitable. The more one increases his capital, the more one’s prof- it becomes. One who utilizes his life in the best manner by performing good deeds will certainly be successful and a winner; while the one who wastes his capital (his life) will certainly not be successful and will acquire a great loss.”2
The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:
“The best amongst you are those who live longer and perform good deeds.”3