More time for the Hereafter

Al-Hârith b. Qays – Allah have mercy on him – said:

When intending to do something good, do not delay it until tomorrow. When involved in something to do with the hereafter, keep yourself involved as long as you can. When involved in some worldly matter, put your mind to it (so as to get it done). And if you are praying and Shaytân whispers, ‘You are showing off,’ then make your prayer even longer.

Ibn Al-Mubârak in Al-Zuhd wa Al-Rqâ’iq Vol.1 p126

Al-Hârith b. Qays was a student of the Companions ‘Alî and Ibn Mas’ûd – Allah be pleased with them. He was a scholar and devout worshipper.

The last bit of advice about prayer serves to repel one of Shaytân’s plots, which is to turn people away from worshipping Allah by making them feel they are showing off if they try to perfect their worship.

More:

  1. Impressive
  2. The Sound of Your Own Voice
  3. Umar’s Instructions on the First Night of Ramadan
  4. Thinking Ahead for Prayer
  5. The Takbîr for ‘Eid
  6. Knowledge transforms the student
  7. What to intend in Prayer

September 3, 2007

Topics: dunyâ, intentions, worship

Names:

2 Responses to “More time for the Hereafter”

  1. ABOO SAMIRAH on March 6, 2010 09:36

    Ma sha allah shaytaan comes to me all the time and tells me i'm showing off and i sometimes shorten the prayer because of that but after reading this narration i will not in sha allah!

  2. Asha Abubakar on April 7, 2010 16:42

    Mashallah! This Is Great! I also feel the same.. Thanks for this. May Allah Bless you. Amin

  3. Ummzubair on October 3, 2010 01:27

    SubanAllah what a great reminder, I think many of us get that feeling now I know just to remember the saying of Al harith b. Qays rahimahullah.