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"And I hastened to You, my Lord, so that You would be pleased." (Surah Ta-Ha 20:84)

These powerful words were spoken by Prophet Mūsā (Moses) عليه السلام when he eagerly rushed to meet Allah at Mount Ṭūr. His words embody a deep longing for divine closeness and a sincere pursuit of Allah’s pleasure.

After Allah rescued the Children of Israel from Pharaoh’s tyranny, He commanded Mūsā عليه السلام to ascend Mount Ṭūr for divine instruction. According to Tafsir al-Ṭabarī a, Allah had promised Mūsā thirty nights, which were later extended to forty for his spiritual retreat. However, Mūsā عليه السلام was so eager to meet his Lord that he hastened ahead of his people, leaving them behind under the leadership of Hārūn عليه السلام.

When Allah addressed him:

"وَمَا أَعْجَلَكَ عَن قَوْمِكَ يَا مُوسَىٰ"
"And what made you hasten away from your people, O Mūsā?" (Surah Ta-Ha 20:83)

Mūsā عليه السلام responded:

"هُمْ أُوْلَاءِ عَلَىٰٓ أَثَرِى وَعَجِلْتُ إِلَيْكَ رَبِّ لِتَرْضَىٰ"
"They are close behind me, and I hastened to You, my Lord, so that You would be pleased." (Surah Ta-Ha 20:84)

Here, he does not explicitly mention his intense longing for Allah but instead expresses it in the form of seeking His pleasure. Imam al-Qurṭubī explains that Mūsā عليه السلام was overcome with yearning for Allah’s presence, to the extent that he felt so uncomfortable of waiting and left ahead of his people. His response was an expression of spiritual urgency—a desire to attain Allah’s pleasure at the earliest opportunity.

Hurrying to Allah: A Lesson in Prioritizing Divine Pleasure

Mūsā’s eagerness reflects the highest level of devotion—a soul that is not content with mere obedience but rushes toward Allah, driven by love, longing, and urgency. His statement teaches believers:

1. True love for Allah creates urgency – Just as Mūsā عليه السلام could not wait to be in Allah’s presence, a believer should cultivate a heart that longs for closeness to Allah.
2. Seeking Allah’s pleasure is the ultimate goal – Mūsā عليه السلام did not mention his own needs or desires; rather, his priority was Allah’s rida (pleasure).
3. Spiritual readiness requires action – Mūsā عليه السلام did not just desire Allah’s nearness; he acted upon it, showing that true longing manifests in action.

The concept of hastening to Allah is also echoed in a divine narration reported in tafsir al-Qurṭubī  in what Allah says:

"طَالَ شَوْقُ الْأَبْرَارِ إِلَىٰ لِقَائِي، وَأَنَا إِلَىٰ لِقَائِهِمْ أَشْوَقُ"
"The longing of the righteous for meeting Me has grown, and I am even more eager to meet them."

This divine statement reminds believers that Allah is more eager to receive His sincere servants than they are to reach Him.

A Reflection for Today

In an age of distractions and delays, how often do we hasten towards Allah’s pleasure? Do we rush to pray when the call to prayer is heard? Do we race towards acts of kindness and righteousness, or do we procrastinate in obedience?

Mūsā’s words, "وَعَجِلْتُ إِلَيْكَ رَبِّ لِتَرْضَىٰ," should inspire us to prioritize Allah’s pleasure over everything else—to move swiftly towards good deeds, to seek Him with urgency, and to always ask ourselves:

"Am I hurrying towards Allah, or am I delaying my journey to Him?"

Hastening to Allah’s Pleasure: A Divine Command

The eagerness of Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام to rush towards Allah’s pleasure is not just a personal sentiment but a divine principle emphasized throughout the Qur’an. Allah commands believers to hasten, race, and compete in seeking His forgiveness and striving for Paradise:

وَسَارِعُوا إِلَى مَغْفِرَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
"And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous." (Surah Aal Imran 3:133)

سَابِقُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا كَعَرْضِ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ
"Race towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth." (Surah Al-Hadid 57:21)

These verses highlight that the path to Allah is not one of laziness or hesitation, but one of urgency and determination. It is not enough to merely intend goodness; rather, one must actively strive and rush toward it before opportunities are lost.

The Prophetic Example: Rushing to Good Deeds

The greatest example of hastening to goodness is seen in the life of the Prophet ﷺ. His actions were always marked by immediate responsiveness to righteousness.

???? A Quick Departure After Prayer
ʿUqbah ibn al-Ḥārith رضي الله عنه reported:

"I prayed ʿAṣr behind the Prophet ﷺ in Madinah. After concluding the prayer with salām, he quickly got up, stepping over the people’s shoulders, and rushed into one of his wives’ chambers. The people were alarmed by his haste. When he returned, seeing their surprise, he said: ‘I remembered some gold in my house and disliked that it should distract me (from Allah), so I ordered it to be distributed.’" (Bukhari)

This incident illustrates that delaying charity—even for a short while—was unthinkable for the Prophet ﷺ. His hastiness in removing distractions and fulfilling obligations is a lesson in prioritizing spiritual matters without procrastination.

The Urgency of Good Deeds

The Prophet ﷺ warned against delaying righteous actions, as life is unpredictable and distractions are plenty:

*"Hasten to good deeds before seven afflictions overtake you:

• Poverty that makes you forget,
• Wealth that leads to arrogance,
• Illness that ruins your body,
• Old age that weakens your mind,
• Sudden death,
• The emergence of the Dajjāl—the worst of awaited evils,
• Or the Hour, which is more disastrous and bitter."* (Tirmidhi)

This hadith underscores the fleeting nature of opportunities—a person may delay an act of righteousness only to find themselves unable to perform it later due to unforeseen circumstances.

The Special Status of Those Who Hasten in Goodness

Allah praises those who do not hesitate in seeking His pleasure:

إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَيَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا وَكَانُوا لَنَا خَاشِعِينَ
"Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate to Us in hope and fear, and they were humbly submissive to Us." (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:90)

This verse was revealed about Prophet Zakariyyā عليه السلام and his family, but it extends as a universal praise for those who rush towards righteousness. Their devotion was marked by:

• Speed in doing good – Not waiting or delaying.
• Balanced emotions – Hoping for Allah’s mercy while fearing His displeasure.
• Deep humility – Recognizing their dependence on Allah.

The virtue of hastening to righteousness is not only praised in the Qur’an but is also reflected in the lives of the righteous, who embody the eagerness to obey Allah. One such example is found in a profound moment witnessed by the Prophet ﷺ and his closest companions.

The Prophet ﷺ once walked with Abū Bakr and ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما and saw a man praying in the mosque. Before ʿUmar could identify him, the Prophet ﷺ said:

"Whoever wishes to recite the Qur’an as fresh as it was revealed, let him recite it in the recitation of Ibn Umm ʿAbd (ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd)."

After finishing his prayer, the man sat and began supplicating. The Prophet ﷺ repeatedly said to him:

"Ask, and you shall be given. Ask, and you shall be given."

ʿUmar رضي الله عنه was eager to inform him of the Prophet’s praise and rushed to give him the glad tidings. However, when he arrived, he found that Abū Bakr had already beaten him to it. ʿUmar later admitted:

"By Allah, I never competed with Abū Bakr in any good deed except that he always preceded me." (Ahmad)

This incident highlights the spirit of competing in goodness, where the best of companions raced each other for the pleasure of Allah. Abū Bakr’s consistent urgency in righteousness set him apart, making him the foremost in good deeds.

A Soul That Hastens to Allah Will Find Allah’s Mercy Waiting

The reward of hastening towards obedience is not just seen in this world but extends beyond death. The Prophet ﷺ described how a righteous person is welcomed in the grave:

"His deeds will appear to him in the form of a man with a radiant face, pleasant fragrance, and beautiful garments. The deceased will ask, ‘Who are you? Your face brings good news!’ The figure will respond, ‘I am your righteous deeds. By Allah, I always knew you to be quick in obeying Allah and slow in disobeying Him. May Allah reward you with goodness.’" (Ahmad)

This narration beautifully illustrates that haste in obedience leaves an everlasting footprint, a companion even in the grave. Just as Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام rushed towards Allah’s pleasure, the believer who hastens towards good will be met with divine glad tidings in the Hereafter.

The Deception of Delaying Goodness

In contrast, those who become consumed by worldly distractions and procrastinate in righteousness are warned:

"And they rejoice in the worldly life, while the worldly life is nothing compared to the Hereafter except [brief] enjoyment." (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:26)

The dunya offers temporary pleasures, but true success lies in striving for the eternal reward. Delaying good deeds while chasing the fleeting joys of this world leads to regret when time runs out, and the opportunity to act is lost.

A Call to Action: Are We Rushing or Hesitating?

The lessons from Mūsā عليه السلام, the Prophet ﷺ, and the righteous servants of Allah urge us to ask: Do we race towards Allah’s pleasure, or do we delay?

✔️ Do we rush to prayer as soon as the adhan is called, or do we delay until the last moments?
✔️ Do we hasten to seek forgiveness after sinning, or do we procrastinate?
✔️ Do we seize opportunities for charity, kindness, and good deeds, or do we let them pass?

Hastening to Allah’s pleasure is a sign of a heart that truly longs for Him.
Delaying goodness is a trap of Shayṭān, making us assume there will always be time.

The Race is On

Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام set an example when he said:

وَعَجِلْتُ إِلَيْكَ رَبِّ لِتَرْضَىٰ
"And I hastened to You, my Lord, so that You would be pleased."

Now, it is our turn to act upon this principle. Ramadan is the best opportunity for the race towards Allah’s pleasure has already begun—are we among those running towards Him, or are we lagging behind?

Let this Ramadan be our moment to hasten towards righteousness and never delay what brings us closer to Allah.