Breaking Free from ‘Later!

We’ve all been there - standing at the crossroads of “now” and “later,” convincing ourselves that tomorrow will be the perfect time to start. It feels reassuring, as if delaying gives us more control over our time. But what if the key to unlocking progress and success lies in acting today? Imagine how much easier things become when you take that first step, no matter how small, rather than waiting for the elusive “right moment.” Every task you accomplish now, no matter how minor, brings you closer to your goals and strengthens your belief in yourself.

The Prophet ﷺ said, “There are two blessings that many people are deceived into losing: health and free time.”1 These words carry profound lessons, reminding us that both health and free time are fleeting gifts from Allah, often taken for granted. There is a window for each: a time when we are healthy and a time when we are free. Eventually, illness or old age may catch up with us, and our once abundant energy will fade. Similarly, life’s demands, whether through work, family, or unforeseen challenges, can quickly consume our free time.

Procrastination is not just a harmless habit - it is often a subtle trap set by Shaytan (devil) to create laziness, distraction and inaction. Shaytan’s aim is to keep us from fulfilling our obligations to Allah and from achieving both spiritual and personal goals. You don’t need to complete everything all at once. Start small, because often the beginning is the hardest part. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged gradual progress and consistency when he said, “…The most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little.”2 This highlights the value of starting, even with small steps and maintaining steady effort.

So, the next time you have something planned, whether it’s chores or learning a new skill - start NOW. Don’t delay it, because “tomorrow” often never comes. Remember the advice from the Qur’an: “it is they who race to do good deeds, always taking the lead.”3 By taking action today, even in small steps, you will find it much easier to continue and gain momentum and your future self will thank you for it.

Watch below to understand the spiritual challenges and gaining practical insights on overcoming the deceptive tactics of Shaytan in everyday life.

1

Sahih al-Bukhari [6412] ↓

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ ‏

2

Sahih al-Bukhari [6464] ↓

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ سَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا، وَاعْلَمُوا أَنْ لَنْ يُدْخِلَ أَحَدَكُمْ عَمَلُهُ الْجَنَّةَ، وَأَنَّ أَحَبَّ الأَعْمَالِ أَدْوَمُهَا إِلَى اللَّهِ، وَإِنْ قَلَّ ‏"‏

3

Surah Al-Mu'minun [23] : 61