«اِلْمِسْتَعْجِلْ وِالْبِطِي عَلَى الْمِعَدِّيَّهْ يِلْتِقِي»

The proverb rests on the habit of river ferrymen who would not cross with a single passenger. They waited until the boat filled, then carried everyone over together. Whoever hurried to the bank and whoever strolled up late ended up sitting side by side on the same crossing.

In wider use, it reminds people that haste brings no advantage when the result is already set by circumstances beyond their control. Rushing in such a case only wastes energy, because the eager and the unhurried will reach the same point together. It does not praise laziness or deny that effort matters.

Say it to someone who is hurrying, pushing ahead, or fretting about falling behind when the outcome or timing is fixed regardless of speed, such as a shared departure or a group decision that will wait for everyone.