ذَرِ العَجَلَ، فَإنَّ العَجِلَ فِي الأُمُورِ لايُدْرِكُ مَطْلَبَهُ وَلايُحْمَدُ أمْرُهُ۔
Leave haste aside, for indeed the one who is hasty in matters neither attains what he seeks nor is his affair praised.
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: Haste And The Hasty)
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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to abandon haste in our affairs. To better understand the depth of this wisdom, let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith.
The word (ajala) "عَجَلَ" in Arabic refers to haste or impatience. It signifies a state of rushing or hurrying without proper consideration or reflection. The word (matlabahu) "مَطْلَبَهُ" means one's desired goal or objective, while (amruhu) "أمْرُهُ" refers to one's affair or matter.
Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to leave haste aside because being hasty in our matters leads to negative consequences. It prevents us from attaining our desired goals and objectives, as we are more likely to make mistakes or overlook important details when we rush through things. Moreover, haste often results in a lack of thoroughness and proper planning, leading to suboptimal outcomes.
To further emphasize the importance of avoiding haste, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:51), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the consequences of hastiness by recounting the story of the Israelites who hastily worshiped the golden calf while Prophet Moses (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was away. Their impatience led them astray and caused them to deviate from the path of righteousness.
Another Quranic verse that supports the wisdom of Imam Ali's advice is found in Surah Al-Isra (17:11), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,
And man prays for evil as he ought to pray for good, and man is ever hasty.
This verse highlights the tendency of humans to be impatient and hasty, often desiring things that may not be beneficial for them in the long run.
Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice is not limited to worldly matters but extends to all aspects of our lives, including our spiritual journey. In Surah Al-Isra (17:36), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us,
And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.
This verse cautions against hasty judgments and decisions based on incomplete or insufficient knowledge. It encourages us to seek knowledge, reflect, and make informed choices rather than rushing into actions that may have negative consequences.
Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound advice reminds us of the importance of patience, deliberation, and careful consideration in all aspects of our lives. By avoiding haste, we can make better decisions, achieve our goals more effectively, and ultimately earn the praise of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May we all strive to embody this wisdom in our daily lives and seek the guidance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all our affairs.
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