Hadith #3052

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

The Arabic word (mu'ajjal) "مُؤَجَّل" in this hadith refers to someone who has been granted time or a period to perform good deeds before their death. The word (ta'allal) "تَعَلَّلُ" means to make excuses or to justify delaying or postponing something.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting a common human tendency to procrastinate when it comes to performing good deeds. This hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that we should not delay in doing good, as we do not know when our time in this world will come to an end.

The Quran provides several verses that emphasize the importance of not delaying good deeds and taking advantage of the time we have been given. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3):

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 reminds us that time is a valuable resource and that we should use it wisely to perform good deeds, believe in Allah, and encourage one another towards truth and patience. It serves as a warning that those who waste their time and delay doing good will be at a loss.

Another verse that supports the message of this hadith is found in Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:10):

And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, 'My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.'

This verse highlights the regret that a person may feel at the time of their death when they realize they have not made the most of the time they were given to perform good deeds. It emphasizes the importance of not delaying acts of charity and righteousness, as we do not know when our time will come to an end.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to reflect on their actions and not to fall into the trap of procrastination. It encourages us to seize the opportunities we have been given to do good and not to make excuses for postponing acts of righteousness.

By procrastinating and delaying good deeds, we risk losing the chance to accumulate rewards and blessings in this world and the Hereafter. It is important for Muslims to be proactive and seize the moment, for time is a precious gift from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that should not be wasted.

Reflecting on this hadith, we should ask ourselves: How often do we find ourselves making excuses for not performing good deeds? Are we truly making the most of the time we have been given? Are we prioritizing our obligations towards Allah and our fellow human beings?

Let us strive to overcome the tendency to procrastinate and instead be proactive in performing good deeds. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and motivation to make the most of the time we have been given and to strive for righteousness. May He forgive our shortcomings and guide us on the straight path.