Hastiness Is from Shayṭān, Deliberation Is a Blessing from Allah

Source: Sharḥ Kitāb al-Jāmiʿ from Bulūgh al-Marām by Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī
Translation: Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbd al-Salām bin Muḥammad Bhaṭwī

❖ Ḥadīth​

وعن سهل بن سعد رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم:‏‏‏‏ العجلة من الشيطان ‏‏‏‏

It is narrated from Sahl bin Saʿd (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Haste is from Shayṭān.”
Narrated by al-Tirmidhī, who graded it ḥasan.

Referencing​

• Ḍaʿīf (Weak): [Tirmidhī 2012]
• Shaykh al-Albānī declared it weak — see Ḍaʿīf al-Tirmidhī [2098]
• In Bulūgh al-Marām, al-Tirmidhī's grading of ḥasan is mentioned, but in all known versions of al-Tirmidhī, it is only described as gharīb, and the narrator ʿAbd al-Muhaymin bin ʿAbbās bin Sahl has been criticized for weak memory.

The full version of the narration reads:
"الأنَاةُ مِنَ اللهِ، والعَجَلَةُ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ"
"Deliberation is from Allah, and haste is from Shayṭān."

✿ Key Points & Benefits​

➊ The Virtue of Patience and Thoughtfulness​

Although this ḥadīth is weak in chain, the concept is supported by authentic narrations.


Ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنهما) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said to the leader of ʿAbd al-Qays tribe:


"إِنَّ فِيكَ خَصْلَتَيْنِ يُحِبُّهُمَا اللَّهُ: الحِلْمُ وَالأَنَاةُ"
"Indeed, you possess two qualities beloved to Allah: forbearance and deliberation."
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Īmān, 6]


ʿAbdullāh bin Sarjis al-Muzanī narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:


"السَّمْتُ الحَسَنُ، وَالتُّؤَدَةُ، وَالاقْتِصَادُ، جُزْءٌ مِن أَرْبَعَةٍ وَعِشْرِينَ جُزْءًا مِنَ النُّبُوَّةِ"
"Dignified demeanor, calm deliberation, and moderation are one part of twenty-four parts of prophethood."
[Ḥadīth graded ḥasan gharīb by al-Tirmidhī]

➋ The Wisdom in Avoiding Haste and Acting Deliberately​

For managing important matters in life correctly, three essential steps are necessary:


① Thought and reflection:
Use insight granted by Allah to weigh pros and cons and consider consequences to reach the right conclusion.


② Consultation (Mashwarah):
Allah commands:
"وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ"
[Āl ʿImrān 3:159]
"Consult them in the matter."


And:
"وَأَمْرُهُمْ شُورَى بَيْنَهُمْ"
[al-Shūrā 42:38]
"Their affairs are decided by mutual consultation."


Group consultation leads to clearer understanding and fewer mistakes.


③ Istikhārah (Seeking guidance from Allah):
When one is resolved after reflection and consultation, they should entrust the matter to Allah through Ṣalāt al-Istikhārah.
The Prophet ﷺ taught this prayer to the companions just as he would teach a Qur'anic sūrah. [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1162]

Combining these three elements minimizes error and prevents Shayṭān’s influence.
It also ensures divine support and wise companionship and protects one from regret.


However, hastiness invites Shayṭān’s intrusion.
The more hasty one is, the more easily he falls prey to mistakes.
If one neglects reflection, consultation, and istikhārah entirely, Shayṭān gains full access.
Even missing one of them opens a door for misguidance.

➌ Do Not Delay Obedience to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ​

⚠ Important Exception:
In matters where Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have given clear commands, delay is not allowed.


Delaying obedience leads to:

• Wasted opportunities
• Potential withdrawal of divine guidance
• Earning Allah’s displeasure

Allah says:


"يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ..."
[al-Anfāl 8:24]
"O you who believe! Respond to Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life..."

In such clear acts of obedience — charity, prayer, repentance, jihad, etc. — there is:

• No need for prolonged thought
• No delay for consultation or istikhārah

Allah says:


"فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ"
[al-Mā’idah 5:48]
"Race toward good deeds."


"وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ..."
[Āl ʿImrān 3:133]
"And hasten toward forgiveness from your Lord..."


✦ In righteous actions, no istikhārah is required — just act.
(درکارِ خیر حاجت ہیچ استخارہ نیست)

Summary​

✔ Haste is condemned — it opens the door for Shayṭān’s misguidance
✔ Deliberation is a praiseworthy trait — it reflects prophetic character
✔ Three steps to wise decision-making:
 ① Deep reflection
 ② Mutual consultation
 ③ Istikhārah (seeking Allah’s guidance)
✔ But when it comes to clear religious obligations, delaying is blameworthy
✔ In good deeds, one must act quickly and decisively, not postpone.