Hadith #3136

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights two important concepts:

ineptness to make haste before [having] ability

and

acting slowly after getting the opportunity.

Let us delve into the deeper meanings of these words and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The word (khurq) "خُرْقِ" refers to hastiness or impatience, while (ajalah) "عَجَلَةُ" means to act hastily or rush into something. On the other hand, (anah) "أناةُ" signifies slowness or delay in action, and (isabat al-fursah) "إصابَةِ الفُرصَةِ" refers to seizing the opportunity.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises Muslims to exercise patience and avoid hastiness. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 200, Allah says,

O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of patience and perseverance in achieving success. Acting hastily without proper preparation or ability can lead to negative consequences and failure.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf, verse 37, Allah warns against hastiness by saying,

Whoever is blinded from remembrance of the Most Merciful - We appoint for him a devil, and he is to him a companion.

This verse highlights that hastiness can lead one astray from the path of righteousness and make them vulnerable to the whispers of Shaytan.

On the other hand, the Quran also emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities and taking action when the time is right. In Surah Al-Hadid, verse 21, Allah says,

Race toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believed in Allah and His messengers.

This verse encourages Muslims to actively strive for forgiveness and Paradise, seizing the opportunity to earn Allah's pleasure.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we can understand that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is advising us to strike a balance between haste and delay. It is ineptness to rush into something without proper ability or preparation, as it can lead to failure and negative consequences. However, once we have the opportunity, it is equally important to act promptly and not procrastinate, as opportunities may pass us by.

For example, in our personal lives, we may come across opportunities for personal growth, such as pursuing education or acquiring new skills. It would be unwise to hastily jump into these opportunities without assessing our abilities and preparedness. Similarly, in matters of faith, we should not rush into making decisions or passing judgments without proper knowledge and understanding.

On the other hand, when we are presented with opportunities to do good, such as helping those in need or spreading kindness, we should not delay or procrastinate. We should seize these opportunities and act promptly, as they may not come again.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound wisdom in this Hadith teaches us the importance of balance and moderation in our actions. It reminds us to be mindful of our abilities and preparedness before rushing into something, while also urging us to seize the opportunities that come our way without delay.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to discern between haste and delay, and guide us to make the right decisions at the right time. Ameen.