Work while you are still alive, and while the books are [still] open, repentance is [still] accepted, the one who has strayed is [still] called [back], and the sinner is [still] given hope [of forgiveness]; before action abates, time expires, life ends and the door of repentance is closed
Act now, while the tongues are free, the bodies are healthy, the limbs can be flexed, there is room for change and the area of movement is vast; before all this is lost and death comes – so be certain about its coming and do not wait for it to overtake you
Verily that which has passed from your day has gone, and that which remains from it is not certain, so take advantage of your [present] time by performing [good] actions
He (‘a) said about the one whom he censured: If he falls sick he regrets having abandoned the work and if he is healthy, he feels secure and delays the workWhen he is called to cultivate for this world, he works and when he is called to cultivate for the Hereafter, he is lazyIf he becomes wealthy, he turns arrogant and falls into vice and if he becomes poor, he despairs and becomes weakIf a favour is done to him, he is ungrateful and if he does a favour, he lengthens it and makes it seem like [a great favour and] an obligationIf an evil deed presents itself to him, he commits it with the excuse of seeking repentance [for it later] but when he decides to repent, he delays it and persists in sinningIf he experiences wellbeing, he assumes that he has repentedIf he is distressed, he thinks [ill of Allah] and doubts [in Him]If he falls ill he devotes himself and turns repentantly [to Allah] but if he regains his health, he forgets and returns [to his evil ways] and becomes emboldened in his injustice towards the servants [of Allah]When he is secure, he is allured by the temptations of this world, so he forgets the Hereafter and is negligent of the Resurrection [on the Day of Judgment]
Hasten in performing your good deeds and compete with your deaths, for you will be compensated for what you sent forward, rewarded for what you did beforehand and held accountable for what you left behind
May the mercy of Allah be on the person who understands that his [every] breath brings him a step closer to his death, so he hastens to [do] good deeds and shortens his hopes