Some people are such that they are confronted with problems such as their jobs or some other reason because of which a greater part of their lives is spent in darkness. They can not pay any attention towards the offering of prayers and neither do they find an opportunity to hear the Word of Allah or the Sayings of the Prophet. The thought of pondering over the Book of Allah does not even cross their minds. When a long time has passed in such darkness, then such thoughts having been deeply rooted, become their second nature. At that time, if such a person does not turn towards repentance and seek forgiveness, then he would be very unfortunate. The best cure for negligence and laziness is istighfaar. If one is afflicted with hardships because of the past negligence and laziness then one should get up in the middle of the night and lay in prostration before the Almighty God and pray; and in the presence of Allah, make a promise of a clean and true change in oneself.

(Translated from Malfoozat, Volume 1, pages 300-301, published in Al-Nahl, Summer 1995)