Procrastination is the killer of potential, the silent thief that robs you of your future one delayed action at a time.
As a student of knowledge, you cannot afford to fall into its trap. Each moment you waste is a moment you’ll never get back—each day that slips by, unrecovered. The scholars of the past saw procrastination for what it truly is: a tool of Shaitan, designed to keep you from fulfilling your purpose.
Every 'tomorrow' that you promise yourself is a lie that steals from your present. It’s time to wake up, before it’s too late.
The Reality of Procrastination
Many students think, "I’ll get to it later," or, "From tomorrow, in shaa Allah, I’ll start seriously." But the reality is that tomorrow never arrives. You’ve likely found yourself taking months to complete what should have taken days—not because you were deeply reflecting on the material, but because you kept delaying the task. This habit of putting things off, known in Arabic as tasweef (التسويف), is not a new issue. The scholars of the Salaf warned that it is a trick from Shaitan.
- They said:
التسويف جند من جنود إبليس
"Procrastination is a soldier from the soldiers of Iblis (Shaitan)."
Shaitan’s goal is to prevent you from doing good, and procrastination is one of his most effective tools. By delaying, you allow time to slip through your fingers. This is particularly dangerous for students of knowledge, as their time is meant to be spent seeking that which will benefit them in both this life and the Hereafter.
The Bankruptcy of Delayed Action
The danger of procrastination goes beyond mere lost time. It is, in fact, the hallmark of those who are bankrupt.
- Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said:
إن التمني رأس أموال المفاليس
"Indeed, wishful thinking is the capital of the bankrupt."
The capital of the bankrupt is their constant reliance on "tomorrow."
This is how they live their lives—always saying "one day, inshallah," but doing nothing to act on it. Don't fall into this trap of procrastination. If something needs to be done today, do it now. Get it done and move forward.
This is a crucial lesson we must understand: delay only leads to missed opportunities and regret.
Do It Today, Not Tomorrow
- The poet wisely advised:
"ولا تُرجِ فعل الخير يوماً إلى غد لعل غداً يأتي وأنت فقيد"
"Do not delay doing good deeds until tomorrow, for tomorrow may come while you are no longer here."
This is a sobering reminder: tomorrow is not promised. How many times have we assumed we had more time, only to find out that circumstances changed, or worse, that we were no longer capable of doing what we had intended?
- This is why Hasan al-Basri رحمه الله said:
"إيَّاك والتسويف؛ فإنَّك بيومك ولست بغَدِك، فإنْ يكنْ لك غد، فكُنْ في غَدٍ كما كُنتَ في اليوم، وإنْ لم يكن لك غدٌ لم تندمْ على ما فرَّطت في اليوم"
"Beware of procrastination, for you have today, not tomorrow. If tomorrow comes, then be as diligent tomorrow as you were today. But if tomorrow does not come, you will not regret what you missed today."
If you were guaranteed tomorrow, it would be understandable to put off today’s tasks. But the truth is, none of us know whether we will live to see another day.
That uncertainty should drive us to action now, rather than delay for an unknown future.
Many people find themselves in regret and sadness as they look back on their lives. They see how others around them took each day seriously, making the most of their time, while they, in contrast, allowed days and years to slip by. Now, as they grow older, they realise the time they’ve wasted, and unfortunately, it’s too late to reclaim those lost opportunities.
From a Letter of Muhammad ibn Samurah As-Sa'ih…
- Yusuf ibn Asbat said: Muhammad ibn Samurah as-Sa'ih wrote to me in a letter:
قال يوسف بن أسباط: كتَب إلَيَّ محمد بن سمرة السائح بهذه الرسالة: "أي أخي، إياك وتأميرَ التسويف على نفسك، وتمكينَه من قلبك؛ فإنه محلُّ الكلال، ومَوئِل التلف، وبه تُقطَع الآمال، وفيه تنقَطِع الآجال. وبادِرْ يا أخي فإنَّك مُبادَرٌ بك، وأسرع فإنَّك مسروعٌ بك، وجِدَّ فإنَّ الأمرَ جدٌّ، وتيقَّظ من رقدَتِك، وانتَبِه من غفلَتِك، وتذكَّر ما أسلفتَ وقصَّرت وفرَّطت وجنيت وعملت، فإنَّه مُثبَت محصى، فكأنَّكَ بالأمر قد بغتَك فاغتُبِطتَ بما قدَّمت، أو ندمتَ على ما فرَّطت.
"O my brother, beware of letting procrastination rule over you and take hold of your heart; for it is the source of weariness and destruction. It cuts off hopes and shortens lifespans. Hasten, my brother, for you are being hastened; hurry, for you are being hurried. Strive earnestly, for the matter is serious. Awaken from your slumber, and rise from your heedlessness. Reflect on what you have sent forth, where you have fallen short, where you have been negligent, and what you have done, for it is all recorded and accounted. It is as if the matter has already overtaken you: either you will be pleased with what you have sent ahead, or you will regret what you have neglected."
Time is Slipping Away
Time is one of the greatest blessings Allah has given us, yet it is often the most neglected.
- Yahya Ibn Hubayra رحمه الله noted:
والوقْتُ أَنْفَسُ ما عَنِيتُ بِحِفْظِهِ ... وَأَرَاهُ أسهَلَ ما عليك يَضِيعُ
"Time is the most precious thing I strive to preserve, yet I see it as the easiest thing for you to waste."
Examples from the Salaf
The Salaf were relentless in their pursuit of knowledge and their careful management of time.
In his book Adab al-Imla' wa al-Istimla', Al-Sam'ani tells us about the remarkable discipline of the early scholars of Islam, particularly in how they valued every second of their time. These scholars never let moments pass by idly. Even during their teaching sessions, they found ways to make the most of their time.
In those days, scholars didn’t have microphones to project their voices. When they taught a lesson or gave a reminder, students sitting closer would repeat the scholar’s words to those sitting farther away, which took some time. Instead of waiting around while the students relayed the message, the scholar would quietly engage in adhkar (remembrance of Allah), such as saying "Subhanallah wa bi hamdihi, Subhanallah al-‘Azeem." The scholar used these brief pauses to fill his time with worship, not letting even a few seconds go to waste.
This shows how seriously the Salaf (righteous predecessors) valued time. Every moment was precious, and they refused to waste any part of it. When the repetition of the lesson was finished, the scholar would resume teaching as if nothing had interrupted the session.
Similarly, it was said about Imam Ahmad’s son that whenever people saw him, he was either smiling, reading, or researching—constantly engaged in something productive.
Another example is Al-Khatib Al-Baghdadi, who was known for always carrying a book with him. Even while walking in the streets, he would be reading, making sure no moment was left unused.
These examples from the lives of our scholars teach us an important lesson: time is a valuable gift, and we should make the most of it. Whether it’s a few seconds or several minutes, we can always find ways to use our time wisely, just like the scholars who came before us.
A Wake-Up Call
- Al-Hasan al-Basri رحمه الله made a profound statement that should shake anyone who is procrastinating:
"يا ابن آدم إنما أنت أيام فإذا ذهب يومك ذهب بعضك"
"O son of Adam, you are merely a collection of days, so when a day passes, a part of you passes with it."
Every day that slips away is a day that you will never get back. As we grow older, our youth fades, and with it, the energy and opportunities that youth provides. For many, this realisation comes too late, when they find themselves regretting the time they wasted.
- Al-Hasan al-Basri also said:
ما من يوم ينشق فجره إلا وينادي: يا ابن آدم أنا يوم جديد وعلى عملك شهيد فاغتنمني فإني لا أعود إلى يوم القيامة.
"Every day that dawns calls out: O son of Adam, I am a new day, and I bear witness to your deeds. So take advantage of me, for I will not return until the Day of Judgment."
Every day is a unique chance. Once it’s gone, it never comes back. This is a critical reality that every student of knowledge must internalise.
Categorising Time
Khaleel Ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi رحمه الله, the teacher of the great Arabic grammarian Sibawayh, categorised time into three types:
- Time that has passed – It will never return.
- Time you are currently in – This is your opportunity.
- Time that is yet to come – You may not live to see it.
Out of these three, the only one we have any control over is the present. The past is gone, and the future is uncertain. Therefore, the present moment is the one that demands our attention and action.
Final Thoughts
Procrastination is not a minor issue. It’s a trap that slowly erodes your time and potential. As students of knowledge, you must recognise that every day is an opportunity given by Allah, one that you will be asked about on the Day of Judgement. The Salaf understood this, and they made every effort to ensure their time was spent in beneficial pursuits.
The lesson is clear: don’t wait for tomorrow. Act now. Seek knowledge with sincerity and dedication. Do not allow procrastination to rob you of your time and your opportunities to grow closer to Allah.
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