We should be deliberate and not hasty in our speech. What makes us act hastily in any matter, without giving it careful consideration? As long as we are in the process of thinking and have not uttered any words or done an action, we still have the privilege of choice. However, once we have uttered the words or done the action, then we have no choice but to wait for the results.

Do you not see how many people are in prison and if you asked them, they would all say in one voice: “We were hasty.”

Try to have strong determination in controlling your own self and restraining it from taking any step without careful consideration, as taking a step after careful thinking and knowledge is praiseworthy, especially when it comes to matters related to the Hereafter. Hence, do not be hesitant or reluctant regarding doing good deeds, but try to hasten to do them. Sa‘ad Ibn Abi Waqqas said, “The Prophet said: ‘Deliberation should be in every matter except matters that pertain to the Hereafter.’” [Imam Abu Dawood, and Al-Albani remarked as saheeh (authentic)]

Imam An-Nawawi differentiated between deliberation and solemnity and said, “Deliberation in movements and the avoidance of frivolity is the praised deliberation, but lowering the gaze and the voice is solemnity.”

Practically, it is proved that the one who is hasty and realizes this can train himself to be deliberate and when he reaps the fruits of deliberation, he continues to remain as such.

Haste is one of the qualities of the youth and may result in dangerous consequences for their deeds. Thus, it is a good idea to bring up the youth so that they are used to meditation and careful thinking, and to avoid hastening towards darkness before having the light of knowledge as the negative effects of their deeds will not only affect them, but also their families and societies.

Dear brothers and sisters, the devil deceives humans by means of their temper to prevent them from even thinking about altering or improving their tempers. Some of us believe that we have been created with the innate quality of being hasty, to the extent that we cannot conceive of abandoning it and excuse ourselves regarding many of our mistakes or hasty actions.

We should remember that being deliberate is achieved through training, so train yourself to think carefully before making any decision and before speaking. Do not cause yourself to apologize frequently because of your haste and remember that sometimes the consequences could be very bad.

Do you know that the Prophet was very strict with those who were hasty, especially when the negative effects of their behavior could be fatal?

Usamah Ibn Zayd said, “The Messenger of Allah sent us towards Al-Huraqah, and in the morning we attacked them and defeated them. I, and a man of the Ansar followed a man from among them and when we took him over, he said, ‘La Ilaha Illallah.’ On hearing that, the Ansari man stopped, but I killed him by stabbing him with my spear. When we returned, the Prophet came to know about that and he said: ‘O Usaamah! Did you kill him after he had said, “La ilaaha illallaah?’” I said, ‘But he said so only to save himself.’ The Prophet kept on repeating that so often that I wished I had not embraced Islam before that day.”

The Prophet reproached the hasty people in the Hadeeth (narration) by Jabir who said, “We were travelling and a man among us was injured by a stone and his head was wounded then he had a wet dream and asked his companions if he could have permission to perform Tayammum (dry ablution). They told him that he could not be excused as he had water. Thus, the man performed Ghusl and he died. When we returned to the Prophet and told him he said: ‘They killed him. May Allah kill them! Why did they not ask when they did not know, as the remedy of ignorance is asking. It was sufficient for him to perform Tayammum and wrap a piece of cloth over the wound then wipe over it and wash the rest of his body.’”[Imam Abu Dawood] 

Taste the sweetness of deliberation in all your matters as you will not aspire to something except that which Allah, the Almighty has decreed and nothing will afflict you except that which Allah, the Almighty has decreed, so why are you hasty? Allah, the Almighty Says in the Quran (what means): {Say, “Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector.” And upon Allah let the believers rely} [Quran 9:51]

Allah, the Almighty Loves deliberation - I