How can one reconcile the saying "If a Muslim is not increasing [in faith and good deeds], then he is decreasing" with the fact that a Muslim may sometimes slacken in performing acts of worship? And is slackening considered a sin? What is the fate of someone who dies while in a state of slackening compared to someone who strives diligently but then has a bad ending?

Lassitude is idleness and slackness, a natural affliction that can affect a person in matters of their religion and worldly affairs. Lassitude can lead to abandoning obligatory duties and falling into prohibited acts, which is a great danger. Or it can be in matters of supererogatory acts and virtues while maintaining the obligatory duties, which is hoped to be a transient and temporary state.

Abdullah ibn Amr, may Allah be pleased with them both, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "That is the vigor and keenness of Islam. And for every vigor there is a keenness, and for every keenness there is a lassitude. So, he whose lassitude is towards moderation and the Sunnah, he is on a good path. And he whose lassitude is towards sins, then he is doomed."

Deliverance from lassitude is achieved by seeking refuge in Allah, constantly engaging in remembrance (dhikr), reading the Quran, and asking the righteous (awliya' Allah) for prayers. The believer who fulfills the rights of Allah and abstains from His prohibitions is on goodness, even if death overtakes him during a period of lassitude. The desire for perfection and keenness for the best states are commendable.

Ibn al-Qayyim said: "The occurrence of periods of lassitude for those traversing the path is an inevitable necessity. So, whoever's lassitude is towards moderation and soundness, and it does not cause him to abandon an obligation nor fall into a forbidden act, it is hoped that he will return better than he was." Umar ibn al-Khattab said: "Indeed, these hearts have periods of receptivity and turning away. So when they are receptive, take them towards supererogatory acts. And when they turn away, keep them steadfast on the obligatory duties." Periods of lassitude distinguish the truthful from the liar; for the truthful awaits relief and does not despair, while the liar turns back on his heels.

There is no contradiction between the diminished status of one who experiences lassitude and the fact that believers are susceptible to it. The believer whose lassitude is towards moderation and commitment is hoped to return more active, and even if there remains a disparity, it is from Allah's grace. Wasting time leads to deficiency, for the servant is always moving, not stationary, either forward or backward, and there is no complete standstill. Lassitude is inevitable for the one treading the path. If he pauses to rejuvenate himself, it does him no harm. But if he pauses due to a calling from behind him, then either Allah will encompass him with His mercy and he will rise, or he will persist in his regression.