Blindspot!
From Issue: 1000 [Read full issue]
Procrastination
"Postponing good deeds until you have free time is an indication of an immature soul." - Ibn Ataillah
Sometimes we postpone the good that we have the intention to do and say: I will do that tomorrow, next week, next month, or next Ramadan. I will do that when I get married, when I get a promotion, when the children grow older, or when the weather gets better! Ibn Ata describes this attitude as an indication of an "immature soul."
In fact, doing good deeds is not a matter of having time. It is a matter of priorities. One leaves home every morning for a specific number of hours, and achieves a certain number of tasks every day. People normally do what is most important first, then what is less important, and so on.
The consideration of priorities, however, should not be an excuse to always postpone good work in the way of God. Procrastination is unacceptable and is eventually regrettable. Every believer should seize time and make the best out of the time he has in this life.
And there is enough time to do almost everything one wishes to do. God will bless our time and work if we seize time and organise it. Time management is not only important for organising worldly affairs, but also for managing affairs with God. If you are in the habit of reciting a portion of the Quran or some dhikr (remembrance of God) every morning, and you have to leave early to work one day, seize the time while riding in the car, or while on the bus, or train, to recite the Quran, listen to it, or to simply reflect and mention God.
Compiled From:
"A Journey to God: Reflections on the Hikam of Ibn Ataillah" - Jasser Auda