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There is no doubt that those who await and love the Master of the Affair, our master Imam al-Mahdī, the Qāʾim (the one who rises) of the Family of Muhammad (may Allah hasten his relief), have particular qualities that rise to the level of the Mahdist state that is to be realised at his hands and under his noble leadership. Drawing on what has come down in the reports, scholars have mentioned a number of distinguishing qualities of his companions. Alongside faith and worship, the narrations emphasise a quality of the utmost importance: that they are mutawassimūn (endowed with discerning insight), monks by night and lions by day.
It is reported in Biḥār al-Anwār that al-Faḍl ibn Shādhān narrated from Imam al-Bāqir (peace be upon him), who said:
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Striving Against the Self
Is jihād al-nafs (striving against the self) a harsh struggle or a journey of awareness? Discover how tazkiyah (purification of the soul) brings you back to God through balanced steps.
كأنّي أنظر إلى القائم عليه السلام وأصحابه في نجف الكوفة، كأنّ على رؤوسهم الطير، فنيت أزوادهم وخلقت ثيابهم، قد أثر السجود بجباههم، ليوثٌ بالنهار، ورهبانٌ بالليل، كأنّ قلوبهم زبر الحديد، يُعطى الرجل منهم قوّة أربعين رجلًا، ويُعطيهم صاحبهم التوسّم، لا يقتل أحدا منهم إلّا كافر ومنافق ، قد وصفهم اللّه تعالى بالتوسّم في كتابه العزيز: ﴿إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ﴾.
It is as though I am looking at the Qāʾim (peace be upon him) and his companions on the high ground (Najaf) of Kufa, as though birds were perched upon their heads. Their provisions have run out and their clothes have worn thin; prostration has left its mark on their foreheads. They are lions by day and monks by night; their hearts are like blocks of iron. Each man among them is given the strength of forty men, and their master grants them discerning insight (tawassum). None of them is killed except by a disbeliever and a hypocrite. Allah the Exalted has described them by this discerning insight in His Mighty Book: "Indeed, in that are signs for those who discern."
These qualities do not arise out of nothing; they require vigilance, resolve and constant giving. Among the Imam's companions there is no one who is lazy and lacking in resolve. Hence the need to shed light on the phenomenon of laziness, its causes and the ways of treating it, in an effort to curb it and to remind the zealous believers of the necessity of practical preparation for the noble state.
First Point: The Reality of Laziness
A small item in the house may fall from its place, and we put off picking it up day after day. We may pray ṣalāt al-layl (the night prayer) and hear that it is recommended to say «العفو» "Pardon"
three hundred times in the qunūt (the supplication made standing during prayer), yet we leave it on the pretext that it is a mustaḥabb (recommended act) within a recommended act.
Is the problem a lack of time? Or the difficulty of the act? Or is the cause deeper than that? On reflection, we discover that the real root is laziness. It is what makes a person forfeit both worldly and otherworldly benefits, and that is why the narrations censure it severely.
Why, then, does laziness arise?
Ignorance or heedlessness of the benefits of energy, vitality, initiative and determination.
Ignorance or heedlessness of the harms of laziness.
Love of rest and ease, to which the self is naturally inclined.
Sluggishness and postponement, which cause tasks to pile up and become complicated.
The Words of the Luminaries (peace be upon them)
From the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him): «من التواني يتولّد الكسل». "From sluggish delay, laziness is born."
This is why, in matters of worship, the Qur'an commands promptness, as in the words of Allah the Exalted: ﴿سَارِعُوا﴾ "Hasten"
lest a state of slackness take over.
Also from him (peace be upon him): «التواني إضاعة» "Sluggish delay is squandering."
And he also said: «التواني فوت». "Sluggish delay is missed opportunity."
Second Point: The Harms of Laziness
From Imam al-Bāqir (peace be upon him): «الكسل يضرّ بالدين والدنيا». "Laziness harms both religion and the world."
Laziness ruins the affairs of this world before those of the Hereafter, for a person cannot succeed in life without striving and effort. Allah the Exalted has said: ﴿وَأَنْ لَيْسَ لِلْإِنْسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَى﴾. "And that there is nothing for man except that for which he strives."
It also causes a person to fail in the Hereafter and deprives him of the honour of supporting the Master of the Age (may Allah hasten his relief). In the experience of the Islamic wars alongside the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) and the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), we have a clear witness: when some of the companions held back, the Imam censured them, saying: «يا أشباه الرجال ولا رجال». "O semblances of men, yet not men!"
From Imam al-Ṣādiq (peace be upon him): «عدوّ العمل الكسل». "The enemy of action is laziness."
Laziness prevents action; when action is at hand, laziness drives it away. Indeed, a person may even ruin his achievement after succeeding because of slackness.
Third Point: Treating Laziness
Specialists in the field of education have mentioned several practical means of confronting and treating laziness:
1. Seeking Allah's Help
It is reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) in supplication: «امنن علينا بالنشاط، وأعذنا من الفشل والكسل والعجز والعلل والضرر والضجر والملل». "Bestow upon us the gift of vigour, and protect us from faintheartedness, laziness, incapacity, ailments, harm, restlessness and weariness."
2. Strengthening the Will
The cause of laziness may be a weak will. This is treated by confronting difficulties, sleeping less, waking early and not shrinking from any task, while seeking the help of Allah, the Strong, the Helper.
3. Ordering Priorities
Sometimes laziness results from poor time management and preoccupation with what is unimportant. Its treatment lies in ordering priorities and organising one's day.
4. Checking Imagination Against Reality
If imagination prevails over reality, a person should seek advice frequently, reflect on the consequences of laziness and compare them with the fruits of diligence. Let him know that there is no Paradise without action, and no attaining the goals of this world and the Hereafter without striving.
Conclusion
Preparing for the great Mahdist state requires of us serious work on ourselves and on society, and real change in keeping with sincere intiẓār (awaiting) of the reappearance of the Imam of our time, the awaited Qāʾim, so that we may be among the best of his loyal followers and supporters and contribute to realising the justice of Heaven and filling the earth with equity and justice.
السلام عليك يا بقيّة الله في أرضه، وحجّته على عباده. Peace be upon you, O Remnant of Allah on His earth and His Proof over His servants.
basira.center/en/journeys/inner-struggle
Nights of Stillness, Days of Giving
Does your sleep affect your soul and your productivity? A journey that uncovers the secrets of night and day, the midday nap (qaylūla), and a sleep programme that will change your life.
basira.center/en/journeys/sleeping
The Golden Time: Time Management in the Teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet's Household)
Is distraction stealing your time? The Time Management journey gives you a values-based approach and practical planning to invest your time well and achieve genuine balance.
basira.center/en/journeys/time-management
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