Lazy Boy - It's All in Your Mind!
Muhammad Alshareef
Sunday, August 21, 2005
During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ), an incident happened in which a man slept the entire night and he missed the Fajr prayer. Despite the fact that this is a very common occurrence in our present day, at that time such things rarely happened.
He missed Fajr, and so they came and spoke to the Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) about this…
‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood, (radiyAllaahu ‘anhu) narrates: A man came and said to the Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ), “Oh Messenger of Allaah, verily a person slept last night until the morning, until the dawn came and he missed Fajr.” The Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) replied “This is a person whom the devil has urinated in his ears.”
Dear Brothers and Sisters, try going to any books of hadeeth. In each and every one you will find a chapter entitled, ‘Baab al-Isti’aadhah Minal Kasl.’ Translated, this chapter is called ‘Chapter of Seeking Allaah’s Protection from Laziness.’
Kasl or laziness, also known as ‘procrastination’ is a disease. University Students know what procrastination can do to their studies. It is a disease that afflicts the minds. After the mind, it then afflicts the heart. Finally, through the heart, the body is afflicted.
Today, you will learn that laziness is a technique used by Satan, and today you will learn the techniques you can use to combat it.
The Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) frequently made the following supplication: “Oh Allaah, I seek your protection from, ‘alajz’ – which means the inability to do something.” And when someone says, “I can’t do that,” the Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) would seek protection from such negative speech by adding: “and I seek your protection (Oh Allaah) from ‘alkasl’- which is translated as laziness.”
At its core, this society is built on laziness. Consider that it is a society based on the idea that we have to rest on Sundays. “Why do you have to rest on Sundays?” some may ask. And society (may Allaah protect us from this) would answer that even Allaah got lazy on Sunday. He did His work all week long, He built the heavens and the earth, and then on Sunday He got tired and rested. So, may Allaah protect us, contemporary culture has us resting and watching football games on Sundays.
Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) testifies to the lunacy of such an idea, implicitly stating, “That there is no drowsiness and no sleep that comes to Him.” (2/255)
In addition, we live in a society that lives for “fast and easy”. You have the fast food joints, even the microwave meals that take 5 minutes are considered tedious because you have to take it out after a couple of minutes and stir it before it is finished cooking. Ever hear the promises to have the perfect body in ten minutes for only three days a week? Examples abound. And in its quest for fast and easy, society does not realize that the root of its problems, indeed, the root of all major sins, lies in laziness.
Why would a person take alcohol and drugs? They are too lazy to change their situation. Instead of actively striving for change, they take a drug to immediately change it. Why do people practice black magic, a phenomenon that is, unfortunately, prevalent in many of our parent’s societies? They do it because they are too lazy to go out and get married, or they’re too lazy to influence people in ways that will accomplish their various goals. Why do people partake in ‘Riba’ (mortgages) and deal with financial interest? They are too lazy to get a proper job and work to pay for something honestly. Why do people gamble? They addictively buy lottery tickets at ridiculous odds of winning in the hopes that their one dollar will instantly earn millions. Laziness is again the culprit. What about that job? Why do people backbite? People backbite because they are too lazy to go and tell the person the truth…And these, dear brothers and sisters, are all major sins.
Thus, like a poison, laziness corrupts all good things.
There are beautiful and amazing things that you want to do for yourself, or do for Allaah (subhaahanu wa ta’aala). Your intention is good, but if you don’t have the energy, or you suffer from the laziness plight, your desires will go nowhere, they will bear no fruit.
The causes of the disease called laziness are rooted in the heart.
Firstly, a lazy person doesn’t know and doesn’t understand his or her need to accumulate good deeds. We understand the need to accumulate money, but we may not understand why or how to accumulate good deeds. Very few people understand that this life is about collecting deeds and preparing for the journey of the hereafter.
Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) advises, “to prepare your provisions (that pack your suitcases) for the best provision, the best thing to pack your suitcases with is the Taqwa (or Fear/Piety) of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala). (2/197) And this is the commandment of Allaah.”
Secondly, people are discouraged by the thought that others will consider them “holier than thou.” Or perhaps the problem is that some people think too highly of themselves, glorifying themselves to such a high level that when they hear the commandments of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) they reply by justifying their laziness with excuses like; “My heart is clean,” or “Why do I have to do that,” or “I’m a good person.” Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) states: “Do not claim piety to yourselves.” (53/32) If someone says, “I’m good,” the response should be that “Allaah knows best who is true, who is righteous.”
Indeed, those who suffer from laziness don’t understand the gold mine of opportunity awaiting them. There are thousands of people around you waiting to hear the call of Islam. You are living among sponges ready to listen to you say, “I am a Muslim.” And they are going to ask, “How can I become one too?”
A brother I knew overseas said it perfectly: “The North Americans have such enormous prospects. Imagine teaching a new Muslim Soorah al-Faatihah, or how to pray. You will get the reward for this most noble lesson each time the person recites this soorah. You can’t do that in Muslim countries, although there are other different opportunities there, most people don’t recognize them and this leads to laziness”
Know that this concerns you and if you start demonstrating the energy and zeal it takes to worship Allaah to the best of your ability, then you will be the one to benefit.
This is your life. This is your soul. You are only going to live once on this earth, and you’ll be traveling to the hereafter with a suitcase of good deeds. Hopefully, you won’t be traveling light. The one who understands this early on, the one to get on the bandwagon of the worship of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) early on, accumulates everything.
Be a pioneer, bring Islam to everyone. “And so they come on the day of resurrection and they see these mountains of good deeds that they never imagined they would have had… and it will be said to them… this is because you weren’t lazy back in the day when other people were lazy…” Recognize the opportunity, seize it, and kick start the worship of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) by others.
But if you chose not to heed these words, to yawn, and to be lazy, you are turning your back on the words of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala). And the consequences will be grave, for the sunnah of creation, indeed the law of nature, stipulates that that which does not contribute will be destroyed. What do you do with weeds in your garden? You pull them out, you get rid of them. What do you do when your nails get too long, when there is no purpose to their length? You snip them off, discard them in the trash. And so it is, as a community and as individuals in that community, if we are not contributing, and if we are not energetically producing, we will be deemed useless and we will be eliminated.
Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) says: “In this way, He gives forth the parable of the truth and falsehood and the vanity. Vanity is like the foam, the dirt on the ocean (there is not benefit to it). But the things that do bring benefit (those devoid of laziness) will remain steadfast in the land.” Even after you are gone, your good deeds will continue to benefit. (13/17)
Do not make the mistake of thinking that Allaah pays attention to the lazy one’s worship. The Prophet Muhammad (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do those deeds that you are able to perform, for verily, Allaah will not tire of your ‘Ibadah (worship) until you tire.”
Ponder the phenomenon of those who make du’aa absentmindedly, not knowing what it is that they are saying. They may even be yawning, confused, or focused on something else entirely. Allah is not paying attention to that person just like they are not paying attention to their du’aa. That is a du’aa that is not answered by Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala). A du’aa that is answered is the one where the person’s heart and energy are invested in it. Allaah will listen. If you can consistently take your du’aa to that level, you’ll see dramatic changes in your life.
When I was younger, there was an imam from overseas who came to lead the taraweeh prayers in Ramadhan. We would have to pick him up at Fajr time and drive him to the masjid. One early morning, I was feeling particularly tired and lazy. My parents had an especially hard time waking me up. Yet, when we arrived at the Imam’s house, I noticed that the neighbors were in the midst of an all-night party. It was 5 am and their lights were blaring, their music was booming, and the party-goers were still drinking their alcohol. They’d spent the entire night awake in “Qiyaamul layl,” but not to Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala). Their worship was for the devil.
I remember thinking to myself that this disbeliever has the stamina and energy to waste the night away, how can the servant of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) not have the energy and ability to worship Him? After all, they, too, are humans like us. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (radiyAllaahu ‘anhu) is quoted as saying, “I seek Allaah’s protection from the time when the ‘fasiq’ or disobedient will have much energy and enthusiasm and the righteous will be lazy.” The fasiq will open up bars everywhere and run his houses of immorality with vigor. And the righteous will do little to nothing in the sake of Allaah. When this happens, there is an imbalance on earth, and corruption will be widespread and prevalent.
Brothers and sisters, let me tell you about the blessedness of having energy and enthusiasm in worshipping Allaah will do for you.
Number 1: The extra energy will win you the pleasure of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala).
Musa (‘alayhis salaam) was told to come to the mountain for 40 days. And come he did, not walking slowly, not ten minutes late, but running. In explaining his arrival, Musa said, “I came hastily to you, oh Allaah, so that you will be pleased with me.” (20/84) And indeed, his words were so pleasing to his creator that Allah recorded them in the Quran for all eternity.
When you hear a name of a prophet’s companion, you say, “May Allaah be pleased with him.” Well, this is how you get that same distinction for yourself. Be hasty in your desire and actions that lead to goodness.
Number 2: Having energy is the characteristic of the believer. Being lazy is the characteristic of the hypocrite.
Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) says the ‘munaafiq,’ or hypocrite is he who has disbelief in his heart, while outwardly claiming belief. Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) describes them in the following verse: “If they get up for the ‘salaah’ (prayer), they get up with laziness.” (4/142)
“Give me ten more minutes…give me ten more minutes… oh! I missed fajr…oh no. I’ll pray after fajr… Give me ten more minutes. Give me ten more minutes…”
A characteristic of hypocrisy; when they reach for that snooze button and get up lazily for prayer, they’re experiencing a state of ‘nifaq’ or hypocrisy. May Allaah protect us.
May He also protect us from using excuses to not follow through with our deeds.
A Canadian may say it’s too cold. An African will say it’s too hot. Both are making excuses for not doing good actions. It was summer in the desert during the time of the Battle of Tabuk, and a walking distance of what is today a seven hour car trip from Madinah to Tabuk. The Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) was rallying his troops for an exhaustive trek that, back then, would have taken months.
Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) says, “they (the hypocrites) encouraged people not to go with the Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) by saying ‘do not go out in the heat’.” Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) response was to tell them, “that the fire of hell is much hotter; if only they understood.” (9/81)
Ibn al-Jawzee, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said “I have never seen a flaw sadder to me than a community whose people stop working, despite having the ability to continue.”
Second Khutbah
The ramifications of laziness can be very harmful. Some of you may have come across a person who displays a genuine interest in Islam. That person may be about to take the shahada when shaytan gets to him and her. An excuse the devil uses is, “You have to comprehend the Qur’aan first.” Hence the would-be Muslim is convinced that they do love Islam, but perhaps further study is required. And so it is that he or she delays coming back to Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala), and as time passes they may no longer possess the same enthusiasm.
Similarly, Muslims seeking to make repentance to Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) might give themselves time by saying, “let me wait till I pay off my mortgage, or pay off my student loans… let me wait till I do this , let me wait till I do that, then I will repent to Allaah.” But it doesn’t work like that because as time passes and sins grow, the heart consistently gets weaker and weaker. A time will come when the person knows it’s the last chance, but the heart may have already been sealed shut.
And as the Prophet Muhammad (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) said, “Race to good deeds before a time and a fitnah comes, (a test) that will sweep over you like the darkest of the darkest nights.”
Are not the trials apparent all around us?
Look to the Islamic educational scene. Scholars we may or may not know are being singled out by the dozens. Religious knowledge is being taken from us. If you have the chance to attend a halaqah, or an Islamic class, you have to race to it NOW! It may be that you won’t have another chance.
Fitnah will come to you, and you must survive it with whatever knowledge you hold. It may be that the knowledge you possess will suffice to protect you, and it may be that it will not be enough to avail you. The consequences thereof would be disastrous, and may eventually lead to hellfire. May Allah protect us.
Picture this analogy: In Australia they have sharks that prey near the coastline. To warn bathing humans of impending danger, they have a certain whistle that rings when a shark is sighted. Now imagine if you’re feeling sluggish or you’re playing a game trying to see how long you can hold your breath under the water. You don’t hear the warning sound, and then you raise your head out of the water, and notice that nobody is in it except you. Everyone has made it to shore, they are yelling for you to hurry, but you are ten minutes from the beach. How would you make it? Would you make it? Only Allaah knows for sure, but that’s exactly what laziness does to you. It not only renders you unprepared, but also helpless as to the actions you must take in order to survive.
But today is a new day, and by the grace of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala), you and I can learn to let go of that laziness. We will work with renewed energy, striving to return to the worship of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala).
Here are some techniques to use.
Number 1: Yawning promotes laziness
Yawning is from the devil. And when it comes to us, we must fight it. Despite what your medical classes are telling you about needing oxygen through yawning, it was your Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) who advised on covering the mouth and resisting the yawn, by not letting out any noise. No “Ahhhsss!”
Number 2: Eating 1/3rd
The Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) taught us to eat using the 1/3rd method. You don’t need much to sustain yourself, a few bites will usually do, but if you are going to eat a meal, then 1/3rd is the crucial number. One third should be the food, one third for water, and one third for breathing.
Realize that one of the most cunning tricks of shaytan is urging people to fill their stomachs beyond capacity. How many times have you eaten a huge meal only to feel like taking a nap afterwards? And how many times has this nap dissuaded you from the worship of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala)?
Number 3: Spend time with energetic people
Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) says, “Be patient with those people who call upon their lord…in the mornings and the evenings.”
When you see a person going for salah consistently, always in a state of worship and remembrance of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala), you say to them, “Hey brother / hey sister, how about we go out for lunch? I’d like to spend time with you.”
Feed from their energy. Alternatively, if lazy people surround you, distance yourself from them, or give them da’wah, encouraging positive action. You want to pick the right people, because we tend to emulate those whom we befriend.
Do as your prophet did and constantly seek refuge from Allaah from the laziness that shaytan uses to defeat the Muslims. When you find yourself reaching for that snooze button, a.k.a ‘the shaytan button’, remember the ploy against you and seek Allaah’s help to resist. You will have the strength to wake for fajr. Ultimately, laziness is a state of mind.
In conclusion, the one concept that ties this all together is honesty. Being honest about your laziness and sincerely striving to change is the first step in seeing results. The fact of the matter is that when Allaah commands us to do something, it is not possible to have excuses, and know that tasks put upon you are doable, for Allaah “does not place a burden on a person more than they can bear.” (2/286) You can do it, others have done it before you, and others continue to do it. Join the ranks of the energetic.
Ka’b ibn Malik, (radiyAllaahu ‘anhu), went to the Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) after the battle of Tabuk, and the hypocrites had been making excuses for their absence from the fighting. Ka’b had not participated and he thought that he too might come up with some excuse in order to save himself, but he realized that he could not lie to the Prophet of Allaah. He told the Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ), “I have never had more energy or ability than this time, but I just didn’t go.” And the prophet said, “he is the one who is truthful.” And by the potency of his honesty and sincerity, the Qur’aan mentions that Allaah had forgiven Ka’b.
How do you truthfully word the reasons for your laziness? If the Fajr prayer has passed you by and the devil has urinated in your ears, do not place blame where blame is not due. Don’t make excuses like, “I had a long night.” Instead, say, “the truth is that the accumulation of my sins led me to miss fajr. But this is not who I am. I am the slave of Allaah. Oh Allaah, tomorrow, with your permission, I will show you what I am going to do for your sake” And so you make your repentance, you repeat your good intentions, and you continue until you reach those higher levels of energy.
I ask Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) to bless you with that energy and I pray and hope that you can make the same du’aa for me.