😴 When You Just Don't Feel Like It (Overcoming Laziness)

28th Muharram 1447H

Assalamu'alaikum,

You know those mornings when you wake up and think, "This is going to be one of those days"?

Before you've even gotten out of bed, your energy feels drained. You're dragging your feet to the bathroom. The thought of checking your calendar or to-do list makes you want to crawl back under the covers. You just want to lounge around and do absolutely nothing.

Guess what? Even Mr. "Productive Muslim" has those days.

Last Monday, I wrote about 'ajz, that feeling when you want to do good but feel powerless to act. Today, I want to explore its close cousin: kasal (laziness).

While 'ajz is "I want to, but I can't," kasal is "I want to, but I just don't feel like it."

Where does kasal (laziness) come from?

Before you can overcome kasal, you need to understand what's driving it. Not all laziness is created equal, and the solution depends on the source.

1. Is it temporary fatigue?

Sometimes kasal is simply your body and soul saying, "We need rest." You've been pushing hard, burning the candle at both ends, and now you're running on empty. This type of laziness is actually your fitrah (natural disposition) protecting you from burnout.

2. Is it deeper burnout?

If your laziness has persisted for weeks or months, you might be dealing with complete exhaustion. This isn't solved by a good night's sleep; it requires a more substantial reset of your routines, priorities, and perhaps even your environment.

Another reason for deeper burnout is not having a clear high-himmah intention or purpose that drives you.

3. Is it spiritual?

Sometimes kasal has deeper roots than we realize. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us that "When any one of you goes to sleep, the devil ties three knots at the back of his neck, sealing every knot with: 'You have a long night, so sleep.' So if one awakes and mentions Allah, a knot will be loosened; if he performs ablution, two knots are loosened; and if he prays, all knots will be loosened, and in the morning he will be active and in good spirits; otherwise he will be in bad spirits and sluggish in the morning." (Sahih Muslim)

Basically, our laziness might actually be the result of spiritual knots that weren't untied through dhikr, wudu, and prayer.

But there's another spiritual dimension to kasal that's even more subtle. Have you ever noticed how laziness strikes hardest precisely when you're about to do something meaningful? Just as you're ready to start that important project, begin memorizing Quran, or launch that community initiative, suddenly you feel incredibly lazy.

This isn't a coincidence. Shaytaan's most effective tool isn't always temptation; sometimes it's simple procrastination through kasal (laziness). The closer you get to something meaningful, the stronger this spiritual resistance becomes. It's as if an invisible force is pushing against your good intentions, making even simple tasks feel insurmountable.

How to overcome kasal (laziness)?

1. Tackle Temporary Laziness with Intentional Rest

If your kasal is recent and you've been pushing yourself hard, then take a break with the intention of coming back stronger.

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Your body has a right over you" (Bukhari). Make this rest productive by sleeping well, eating nourishing food, and spending quality time with family and friends. Set a clear timeframe then get back in the game.

2. Break the Pattern with Salah

When you find yourself in a downward spiral of laziness, break the pattern with Salah. Remember the hadith about the three knots? Each act of worship (dhikr, wudu, and prayer) will refresh you and help you tackle laziness from a spiritual perspective.

3. Change Your Environment

If you're sluggish at your desk, take your work to a coffee shop or library. Sometimes a simple change of scenery can break the kasal cycle.

4. Tap into Social Energy

In my Productive Muslim book, I talk about “Social Energy,” that unique energy that comes from being around people. When you feel lazy, reconnect with your team members, find an accountability partner, or go to the masjid and meet others. Sometimes the energy you lack individually can be borrowed from the collective spirit of others.

5. Seek Allah's Help

The most powerful tool against kasal is the dua that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us: “O Allah, I seek refuge with You from worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, from being heavily in debt and from being overpowered by men.” (Bukhari)

But don't just recite it mechanically. When you say, "I seek refuge in You from incapacity and laziness," visualize yourself being freed from these constraints. Feel the weight lifting. Trust that Allah can energize you in ways that coffee never could.

Kasal isn't always bad. Sometimes it's a signal, sometimes it's just part of being human. And yes, sometimes it's a spiritual attack that needs to be cured.

The key is not letting laziness become permanent. Understand where it’s coming from, address its root cause, and then, with Allah’s help, tackle it.

May Allah protect us from the kasal and ajz. Ameen.

Sincerely,

P.S. What helps you overcome laziness? Hit reply and let me know.