بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِIn the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
| Table of contents: |
1. Introduction
2. What's holding us back?
3. What are the consequences of procrastination?
4. What can be done to fix it?(Practical steps in brief)
5. Conclusion
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small.”
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6464, Sahih Muslim 783
This hadith illustrates the importance of consistency, but the bigger question is, are we really consistent? If not, why? What's holding us back? And what can we do to make ourselves better and please Allah with our consistent actions? All these questions will be answered in this blog, Inshallah.
What's holding us back?
Often times we realize that we are not doing the thing we should do in order to please Allah and even after we decide the right thing to do, we lack consistency in our action. Obviously, the main enemy of human is Shaitaan, which holds him back from worshipping Allah and the main tool of his work is whispering in the ears of servant of Allah to beautify the wrong and uglify the right.
In this case, the servant usually gives up on good as doing the good work is tough and requires some real work rather than just imagination comparative to its counterpart: imagination (or daydreaming) it's really easy and comfortable, something from which you can get anything but virtually, which ultimately weakens the servant further. The servant becomes lazy and procrastinates even more as whatever he wants is already with him in his imaginary world.
What are the consequences?
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Be prompt in doing good deeds before you are overtaken by trials...”
Source: Sahih Muslim 118, narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA)
This hadith not just emphasizes doing good, but also reminds us that our time is limited in this world. And a thing that is even more limited is the preparation phase we get before trials overtake us.
If we take a deep look into the lifestyle of an average human considering his lifespan of 60 years, then one-third of his life is spent in sleeping.
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| 1/3rd life spent in just sleeping |
What's left of active time period is just two-third of it. That is 40 years. Now in this small interval of time, he has to develop his Duniya, world, which includes his career, health, family, etc. as well as prepare for Akhira by obeying Allah in the matters of Haram and Halal, acquiring knowledge, and acting according to it. In this limited time, he has to face trials and tribulations too. So without consistency, how could one do it? If a person just procrastinates and spends his day in his comfort zone, in his sloth and slumber, then how could he even accept to fulfill all this stuff and succeed in both the worlds??
Imam Malik (RA) said:
“Procrastination is like a thief in the night. It will take away your time and blessings.”
Source: Risalat al-Mustarshidin
What can be done about it?
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Delaying things is from Shaytan, and hastening in doing good is from Allah.”
Source: Al-Bayhaqi, Shu’ab al-Iman 1570
As the hadith explains the issue, it simultaneously provides solution to our problem. I would like to expand this hadith and use my own knowledge to provide solutions. In the future blogs, more solutions with detailed analysis will be provided, Inshallah.
1. Having a strong vision
No matter what you do, you must first of all have a vision of what you are doing, why you are doing, what's the end goal, and where it will lead you. Keeping this turn up, you will get a purpose and clear-cut meaning of what you are doing.Which is the most essential and primary thing needed to combat procrastination
2. Sheer determination
Now you've got your vision set, it's time to get determined. Knowing the purpose will be more than enough to provide the required determination needed, when a person is determined, Satan whisper does not affect him anymore, as his vision is too strong to be blocked by the deceit of Shaitan which is further catalysed by sheer determination.
3. Making a routine & sticking to it
Having a routine is one of the most necessary thing. As it automates your workflow as soon as it gets into your subconscious mind. Then all you have to do is to follow it and work hard to achieve the end results.
How to get this thing done will be discussed in detail in the future blogs, Inshallah.
Conclusion
We often procrastinate as we fell prey to whispers of Satan. All this happened due to our own weakness which is caused by lack of purpose, lack of meaning, and most importantly, lack of right vision. All these can be fixed by actively setting up your vision, being determined, making a routine, and sticking to it. Remember, procrastination is a thing that is a part of human nature. It's not like you have lost everything, and like every disease has a cure, so does this.
اللهم مُصَرِّفَ الْقُلُوْبِ صَرِّفْ قُلُوْبَنَا عَلَى طَاعتِكَ
O Allah! Controller of the hearts, direct our hearts to Your obedience
اللهم مُصَرِّفَ الْقُلُوْبِ صَرِّفْ قُلُوْبَنَا عَلَى طَاعتِكَ
O Allah! Controller of the hearts, direct our hearts to Your obedience
Comment down any question or dought you have regarding islam and its doctrines. Future blogs will inshallah include the solution to them ☺️
Fiqh & hadith related doughts will be explained by ulema of the specific fields inshallah
Ameen.
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