Promptness in Good Deeds

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘When one of you intends to do a good deed, he should do it without delay; a servant (of Allah) perhaps performs a prayer or fasts for a day, thereupon, it is said to him, “Do whatever you like (other good deeds) after this act, Allah has already granted you forgiveness. (One may not know which of his worships has been accepted.)”’

“When you intend to perform anything good, then do not delay. A man may fast on a hot day and hope thereby to receive what is with Allah, and Allah then sets him free from fire. Do not underestimate the good deeds with which one may seek nearness to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, even if it is a piece of a date.”

“Whoever intends to perform a good deed should act fast and do not delay. Perhaps a servant (of Allah) performs a deed and Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, says, ‘I have granted you forgiveness and will never write down anything against you.’ Whoever intends to perform an evil deed he must not do it. Perhaps a man does an evil deed and Allah, the Most Holy, sees it and says, “I swear by My Majesty and Glory to never forgive you hereafter.’”

“When you intend to perform a good deed, do not delay doing it; Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, perhaps finds a servant (of Allah) during a good deed of obedience and He, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, may say, ‘I will never subject you to punishment hereafter.’ If you intend to do an evil deed, you must not do it; perhaps Allah finds a servant during an act of disobedience and may say, “I swear by My Majesty and Glory to never forgive you hereafter.’”

“When one of you intends to perform a good deed or establish good relations there will be two Satans, one on each side. He, thus, should perform it immediately before they prevent him from the good deed.”

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) say, ‘Whoever intends to perform a good deed he should do it without delay; Satan keeps an eye on anything that is delayed.’”