Hadith #4991

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

كَمْ مِنْ مُسَوِّف بِالعَمَلِ حتّى هَجَمَ عَلَيْهِ الأجَلُ۔

This Hadith can be translated into English as,

How many a person has postponed doing something until death falls upon him!

In this Hadith, there are a few important words that require our attention. The word (musawwif) "مُسَوِّف" refers to someone who procrastinates or delays taking action. It describes a person who continuously puts off doing something, thinking that they have plenty of time. The word (al-'amal) "العَمَلِ" means action or deed. And finally, (al-ajal) "الأجَلُ" refers to death, the appointed time when our lives in this world come to an end.

To understand the wise message behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:9),

O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers.

This verse reminds us not to be distracted by the worldly possessions and responsibilities that we often prioritize over our spiritual duties. It warns us against procrastinating in our worship and remembrance of Allah, as it can lead to loss and regret in the hereafter.

Furthermore, 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 emphasizes the importance of taking immediate action and not delaying our good deeds. It reminds us that time is a valuable and limited resource, and we must utilize it wisely by engaging in righteous actions, seeking knowledge, and helping others.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the Quranic verses, we realize the significance of not procrastinating in our pursuit of goodness. Many people fall into the trap of thinking that they have ample time to rectify their actions and make amends. They delay seeking forgiveness, performing acts of worship, and fulfilling their obligations towards others. However, death can come suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving no room for repentance or the opportunity to make up for lost time.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, highlights the danger of procrastination in this Hadith. He urges us to reflect on our actions and not to postpone doing good deeds, as we never know when death will approach us. We must seize the present moment and make the most of our time in this world, striving to please Allah and fulfill our responsibilities towards ourselves, our families, and our communities.

The consequences of procrastination can be severe. If we continuously delay our obligations, neglect our spiritual growth, and postpone acts of kindness, we risk losing the opportunity to earn Allah's pleasure and attain success in the hereafter. We may also miss out on the blessings and rewards that come with timely action and sincere intentions.

Therefore, let us take heed from this Hadith and the teachings of the Quran. Let us not be among those who procrastinate and delay their good deeds until it is too late. Instead, let us be proactive in our pursuit of righteousness, constantly striving to improve ourselves and benefit others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and motivation to make the most of our time and to prioritize our actions in accordance with His guidance.