When a subject that the mind is not completely content with arises, one's the lower self has a strong tendency to make up excuses. One of the excuses that lower self comes up with is; "If circumstances were like this, then I would be like that." This is a logic based on the idea that whatever it is that needs to be done, the current state of affairs is not conducive to it.
The person concerned completely convinces himself and constantly waits for those desired ‘conditions’ to come about. Essentially, instead of looking to the objective and resolving the issue, he devotes all his energy to whether or not the appropriate conditions have arisen. Because of this erroneous belief, he can never find within himself the strength to make the effort that needs to be made. And in this way he wastes months and even years.
There is no doubt that this is a most false logic. In particular, the human mind is very limited. People are only able to consider matters from a restricted perspective. Allah is the One Who is omnipotent. Allah is the One Who knows all aspects of a matter with the hidden and concealed aspects of it, what went before it and what comes after it, from all perspectives; and in the best manner for everyone. Therefore, if Allah has created a situation within specific conditions, then there is great wisdom in this. That is because these conditions are manifestations of His omniscience. That means that he should exhibit those efforts he keeps postponing now, under the currently prevailing circumstances. Allah sees wisdom in this, and he is tested under these conditions.
In addition, if the circumstances are not conducive, Allah would in any case not want from the individual to exhibit that behavior. That is because Allah reveals in the Qur’an that He will not impose a heavier burden on a person than he can bear. For that reason, the logic that forms in a person’s mind, along the lines of “I can only do these things if these circumstances apply” is completely wrong from the beginning till the end. Allah informed us about this truth in the Qur'an as follows:
As for those who have faith(iman) and do right actions – We impose on no self any more than it can bear – they are the Companions of the Garden, remaining in it timelessly, for ever. (Surat al-A’raf: 42)
We do not impose on any self any more than it can stand. With Us there is a Book which speaks the truth. They will not be wronged. (Surat al-Muminun: 62)
In addition, even if those circumstances the person awaits really seem to be so essential for him, it is still wrong for him to postpone something that needs to be done to a later time just for this reason. If Allah’s approval requires a person to makes endeavors on a matter, then it is incompatible with good conscience for a believer to put them off for any reason.
And one attribute of a believer is that he never follows the logic of “conditions are not right” and totally gives up. For example the number of unbelievers in the world and their forcefulness is very high. But a believer will never show slackness when it comes to making efforts in order to bring the moral values of Islam to rule the world by saying “Like it or not, this is how things stand.” Nor will he ever cease preaching the moral values of the Qur'an to the world because of external pressure from his surroundings, saying “The climate is not conducive just at the present moment.”
This logic applies to every issue in a believer’s life. In resolving the issues that rise up in his daily life, as well as in overcoming the evil of his lower self, the believer must never forget that “seeking excuses” and “using the prevailing conditions as a pretext” is incompatible with the Qur’an. The Qur’an reveals what a person knows what he must do, under all circumstances, no matter what excuses a person may make:
In fact, man will be clear proof against himself in spite of any excuses he might offer. (Surat al-Qiyama: 42)
As well as all these very important facts, another matter that must never be forgotten is “the proximity of death.” While a person convinces himself that “conditions are not yet right” and “I can only do that if this happens first” and waits for the right circumstances to come about, he may find himself on the brink of death at any moment. He may suffer a disease that takes away all his strength in the physical sense in an instant. Or the existing conditions may become even more difficult and undesirable than they are at the moment. In that case, according to this logic of his, he will find himself in a position that he will never have the strength to do something for which he said, ”I cannot do this because the circumstances are not yet right.” The fact is, however, that even if conditions become worse than they are now, the believer must still believe – by Allah’s leave and with His help – that he has the strength to do what is necessary and strive to do the best that he can ,in the light of that belief. Even if these efforts fail to bear fruit, Allah will still see his intentions and endeavors and, insha’Allah, will still give his morality the finest reward. The Qur’an reveals Allah’s infinite justice as follows:
But as for anyone who desires the Hereafter, and strives for it with the striving it deserves, being a believer, the striving of such people will be gratefully acknowledged. (Surat al-Isra’: 19)
