Hadith #11257

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مِنَ التَّوانِي يَتَوَلَّدُ الكَسَلُ۔

This can be translated as,

It is from lethargy that laziness originates.

Let us delve into the connotation of this statement in light of the Quran.

The word (yatawalladu) "تَوَلَّدُ" in the Hadith means "originates" or "is born from." It signifies the source or root cause of something. On the other hand, (alkasal) "الكَسَلُ" refers to laziness or slothfulness. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the connection between lethargy and laziness, suggesting that one leads to the other.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of striving and exerting effort in various aspects of life. For example, in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah says,

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse highlights the necessity of taking action and being proactive in order to attain success.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah states,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking strength and determination from Allah, enabling us to overcome laziness and lethargy.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be vigilant and proactive in their daily lives. Lethargy, which refers to a state of sluggishness or lack of energy, can be the breeding ground for laziness. When we allow ourselves to succumb to lethargy, we become more prone to laziness and procrastination.

Laziness can have detrimental effects on our spiritual, intellectual, and physical well-being. It hinders our progress in fulfilling our obligations towards Allah and our fellow human beings. It prevents us from seeking knowledge, engaging in acts of worship, and fulfilling our responsibilities in society.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, understood the dangers of laziness. He recognized that it is through the initial state of lethargy that laziness takes hold of an individual. By highlighting this connection, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges Muslims to be vigilant and proactive in combating laziness.

To overcome laziness, we must strive to cultivate a sense of purpose and motivation in our lives. We should seek inspiration from the Quran and the lives of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). By setting goals, managing our time effectively, and seeking Allah's assistance, we can overcome lethargy and avoid falling into the trap of laziness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be vigilant and proactive in combating laziness. By recognizing the connection between lethargy and laziness, we can strive to overcome the initial state of sluggishness and cultivate a sense of purpose and motivation in our lives. May Allah grant us the strength and determination to overcome laziness and fulfill our responsibilities with excellence.