I have the habit of procrastinating to do good deeds. What should I do?
Ibn Umar (رضى الله عنهما) said something beautiful in this regard. It is reported by those who convey the statements of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) from him. Ibn Umar said:
“When you are in the evening; do not wait for the morning.” [1]
When you find yourself in the evening don’t wait for next morning. In other words, we put off things till the next morning. Similarly, when you find yourself in the morning, don’t wait for evening. Don’t put off till evening. The good things that come to your mind will be in the morning. This is the way Satan causes you to miss the opportunities which Allah has given you in your life. [2]
Ibn Umar (رضى الله عنهما) continues: “Take from your good health for your sickness”. Try to do as much as you can when you are healthy. If you get sick and you are unable to do good deeds, you will have done what you had to do. He then continues: “Take from your life for your death.” Try to do as much good as you can in your life as death can approach us anytime and we have to be prepared. While living with that which you have supplemented will benefit you, because when you die, you no longer can do so. This was the advice given by Ibn Umar (رضى الله عنهما).
References:
[1] Sahih Bukhari, Book 81: 5
[2] Sheikh Umar al-Ashqar, The World of the Jinns and Devils, pp 102
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