Chapter 10: Hastening to Good Deeds
and an exhortation to anyone who turns toward something good to approach it with earnest resolve, without hesitation.
Allah the Exalted says, “So vie with one another in good works” (al-Baqarah 2:148).
He also says, “Hasten toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the God-fearing” (Āl ʿImrān 3:133).
[Explanation]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—states: “Chapter: Hastening toward good deeds and urging whoever embarks on something good to see it through without wavering.” This heading contains two points:
- Hastening and racing to do good.
- If a person resolves upon a righteous act, he should proceed and not hesitate.
As for the first, it is initiative; its opposite is procrastination and laziness. How many people have put things off and grown idle, only to miss out on abundant good! For this reason the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer—though there is good in both. Be keen on what benefits you, seek Allah’s help, and do not become helpless.”
Therefore, a person ought to hasten toward every act of goodness; whenever any righteous deed is mentioned to him