The Forgotten Cure for the Soul
How Exercise Protects Faith, Strengthens Morality, and Defeats Laziness
When people list the world’s most dangerous diseases, they often think of cancer, heart disease, or other physical and mental disorders. But there is another, far more destructive illness that rarely makes the list — one that poisons the soul rather than the body. It is laziness — the silent disease that weakens faith, erodes discipline, and paralyses the human will.
The Most Dangerous Disease
Laziness, or kasl in Arabic, is not just a bad habit; it is a chronic spiritual illness. It blocks a person’s path to moral and intellectual growth, making even the simplest act of goodness feel burdensome. Imam Ali (A) said:
“Beware of laziness and boredom, for they are the keys to every evil.”
(Ghurar al-Hikam, Hadith 8397)
Laziness kills potential before effort can begin. It separates a believer from worship, weakens focus, and leads to neglect — both in worldly duties and in acts of devotion. The Quran warns:
“And say, ‘Work, for Allah will see your work, and His Messenger and the believers…’”
(Quran, Surah at-Tawbah, Chapter 9, The Repentance Verse 105)
Work and movement are forms of worship. To stop striving is to stop growing — both spiritually and physically.
The Root of Moral Decay
The curse of laziness breeds comfort-seeking and indifference. It becomes the root of deviation, immorality, and spiritual downfall — especially among the youth. Before one can battle lust, greed, or arrogance, one must first conquer laziness, for it is the gatekeeper of all other vices.
Imam al-Sadiq (A) once said:
“I dislike a person who is lazy in his worldly affairs, for one who is lazy in his worldly affairs will be lazier in his religious affairs.”
(Al-Kāfi, vol. 5, p. 85)
The Cure: Exercise and Action
Every disease has a cure — and the cure for laziness is movement, exercise, and purposeful effort. Physical activity awakens the willpower of the soul. It disciplines the body, sharpens the mind, and inspires consistency in prayer and worship.
A person who maintains an active lifestyle is far less likely to neglect their salāh or delay their obligations. Why? Because the root cause of neglect in faith is often not disbelief — it is simply laziness.
The Prophet Muhammad (S) himself encouraged physical fitness and said:
“Teach your children swimming, archery, and horse riding.”
(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 23, p. 114)
Exercise, in Islam, is not a luxury. It is a form of jihad against the self — a training ground for discipline and moral excellence.
Exercise: The Foundation of Virtue
Physical activity is more than bodily health — it builds moral strength. Among athletes, we see echoes of chivalry, generosity, and courage — values deeply embedded in Islamic virtue. An active person learns self-control, teamwork, and endurance.
A lazy person, by contrast, struggles to think beyond their comfort. But one who moves, strives, and sweats learns to overcome desires. The Quran praises such determination:
“And those who strive for Us — We will surely guide them to Our ways.”
(Quran, Surah al-‘Ankabut, Chapter 29, The Spider, Verse 69)
The First Question for the Faithful
Exercise should be so deeply embedded in the culture of religious youth that it becomes a mark of faith itself. When someone is known to be religious, the next natural question should be:
“So, what sport are you active in?”
For faith without action can wither. But faith combined with effort — in prayer, work, or sport — grows stronger. A balanced believer nurtures both body and soul, for both are gifts from Allah.
In essence:
To be active in body is to be alive in spirit. To conquer laziness is to open the path to every virtue. And to move — with purpose, sincerity, and discipline — is to walk in the light of divine command.
Reference: Ali Reza Panahian