No procrastination for the Believer

There are two words in association with action that the Muslim Believer has no use of. The words When and Why. In terms of action the Believer has no use of Why due to the fact that it has already passed and the ink is dry on that situation. The Believer cannot go into the past to address the issue or through critical analysis change the outcome of something that has taken place. The only thing that is left for a Believer to contemplate on is what is to be done with it now. Therefore What is the realm where the Believer operates in. Why is probably a number one door to depression followed by his sister "If Only". These are not phrases for the Believer because there is nothing that can ever be done to change or correct that situation and it leaves your mind spending time and energy over something that you cannot change or alter.

The next place where Believers get caught up in is When. When is an uncertain guarantee of events that you have no control over. Which is primarily why we say Insha Allah when planning to do something that we actually intend to do in the future. The Believer should Never use Insha Allah for something that they do not intend to do in the first place. This teaches you to lie to your heart and it is a disease that spreads to all of your intentions. "Do not say I shall do such and such tomorrow without saying Insha Allah" 18:23, 18:24. "Oh you who believe why do you say that which you do not do? Greviously odius in the sight of Allah that you say that which you do not do. 61:2, 61:3"

When is an express evil to the Believer for it allows one to get caught up in all of the possibilities but doesn't provide practical application for its attainment and leads to excuses of inaction. When I lose 10 pounds, When I get my degree, When I grow up, When I make a million dollars all statements point to inaction of WHAT it is that you are doing right now. The Believer knows that the only thing that they have influence over are the WHAT that is taking place right now. I can guarantee that the use of the word When used in concert with an action equates to some level of procrastination. Procrastination is also a breeding ground for the seeds depression. "And they ask when will come the Help of Allah? 2:214"

The word Why in concert with action is only to be used as an interogative for reflection. The word When is only to be used in reference to inevitable events that are to take place without your control. The Believer should strive to eliminate these words from their vocabulary associated with action. Why is a learning tool for reflection and the implementation of wise practices. Why should not be reflected on as terms of regret and sorrow for there is nothing that can be done about what has passed only about what is happening right now. When the milk spills wipe it up, reflect upon why it spilled and develop safe practices to keep it from spilling again. When a milk spilling situation arises use the wisdom that was learned to perform positive actions to prevent it from spilling and defuse the situation. "If only they had stayed at home and not gone out to fight they would not have died 3:168."

When you have put your mind to an outcome do not use When as an dangling future event. " When you have decided upon a matter put your trust in Allah 3:159" State when and then state as many Whats that are necessary to accomplish the When event. When I graduate? What does that mean? It means that I need to do this homework to gain mastery of these skills right now. Graduation will come on its own, but focusing on what cap and gown you will have has no effect on the homework that is due tomorrow. When I build a successful business has no effect on the customer relations that you must build right now in order to accomplish that effect.  You have no control over the When nor of tomorrow or the next five minutes. You only have some control over what is happening right now.

Leaving Why and When out of your vocabulary in concert with actions will enable you to become a more action oriented Believer. As Believers our command is to Believe and Work Righteous deeds. Everything about our Deen is concerned with action and not sitting around wondering why this happened or when this will come. We are a Now based community and we must practice this in all aspects of life not just Deen. Thinking and over thinking are a result from living in the when. When Isa comes, When the Mahdi comes, When all the Muslims come to Fajr then we will be awesome, until then we will sit here and talk about it. What sense does that make? Why did the Muslims break the Khilafah, Why isn't there an Islamic country, Why did the Prophet have to die, Why did I gain fifteen pounds? All questions which lead to inaction and regret and ultimately a defeated mentality. Believers must leave it and do the Work. The Prophet (SAW) always advises action over inaction. "If you are planting a seed and the Day of Judgement comes upon you, continue to plant".

You will notice in your reading of the Quran that at anytime the use of the words Why (If only), and When are used in concert with action that it is probably also associated with grief due to the inability to control the outcome. Grief is directly associated with depression a consistent state of anxiety and worry for events that are outside of your control. Let us today leave these poisonous words and work towards those things we can change right now and thus multiplying the positives in our lives and the happiness.

حَدَّثَنَا ‏ ‏بَهْزٌ ‏ ‏حَدَّثَنَا ‏ ‏حَمَّادٌ ‏ ‏حَدَّثَنَا ‏ ‏هِشَامُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ ‏ ‏قَالَ سَمِعْتُ ‏ ‏أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ ‏ ‏قَالَ ‏قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ‏ ‏صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ‏ ‏إِنْ قَامَتْ السَّاعَةُ وَبِيَدِ أَحَدِكُمْ ‏ ‏ فَسِيلَةٌ ‏ ‏فَإِنْ اسْتَطَاعَ أَنْ لَا يَقُومَ حَتَّى يَغْرِسَهَا فَلْيَفْعَلْ ‏

Bahz narrated to us from Hammad (ibn Salamah) who narrated to him from Hishaam ibn Zayd who said that he heard Anas ibn Maalik (radhiya Allahu ‘Anhu) saying Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “If the hour (as-saa’ah, i.e. the day of judgment) is established upon you and in your hand is a plant, if you are able, do not stand until you have planted it into the ground.”

[Reported by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad via a Sahīh chain]