Take a look at this beautiful statement from the gem of a book “Knowledge Mandates Action” by Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee. MashaaAllah, a beautiful naseeha, an advise to myself first and then my fellow Muslimeen.
Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Rizq and ‘Ali bin Ahmad bin ‘Umaar al-Muqri both said: Ja’far bin Muhammad al-Khaldee informed us” Ibraaheem bin Nasr al-Mansoori narrated to us: Ibraaheem bin Bashaar narrated to me: Yusuuf bin Asbaat narrated to me: Muhammad bin Samurah as-Saa’ih wrote the following letter to me:
O brother! Beware of letting procrastination take control of you and letting it take a firm root in your heart, for indeed it is the cause for fatigue and wasting (of time). Due to it, aspirations are cut short and appointed times are not met. If you allow this to happen you have let it free you from your resolutions, and in effect, take you over. And reclaim your body from the lethargy that overtook you. But when it returns back to you, your soul will not benefit from your body. And hasten, my brother, for indeed you are being hastened. And rush, for indeed you are being rushed. And be serious, for indeed, the matter is serious. Awaken from your sleep, and snap out of your heedlessness. And remember what you have left behind, what you fell short in, what you neglected, what crimes you committed and what deeds you did, for indeed that is recorded and you will be held accountable for it. So it is as if the matter has come upon you all of a sudden and so you are (either) happy at what you have put forth for it or remorseful for what you have neglected.
That’s good advice for anyone.
as salaamu alaikum
Procrastination is a disease that has taken over many of us. JazaakAllah khaire for sharing this much needed advice
Wa Alaikum Assalam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu
Wa iyaaki ukhtee.
SubhaanAllah, procratination truly is a trial – a type of paralysis almost, because of the inaction it breeds. May Allah ta’ala save us from it. The statement was so potent in the context, and was wisely placed at the end of the book (in fact, it was the last statement in the treatise).
The book has the profoud ability to scare you, for you realize the level of accountability that is upon you. As you continue your search for knowledge, this must also translate into righteous action. The question is implicitly posed: Why do you persist in your search for ‘ilm if you have not acted upon what you already know? The journey for knowledge is a virtuous one, but in our journey we must make sure that as a result of the ‘ilm we gain we also increase ourselves in ‘amal; which makes the end of the treatise so befitting – a beautiful statement on the danger of procrastination, as if he [Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee] is indirectly asking you a question – for you know of the merit of knowledge, and you know what is upon you of actions – so why the delay?
SubhaanAllah, I hope to write a full review soon, although I know my words wouldn’t do justice to the amazing treatise.
Wa Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu
[...] discusses some valuable naseeha from the book “Knowledge Mandates Action” regarding procrastination. O brother! Beware [...]
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assalamu alaykum,
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