Eman Sakina

So excited for January 1? New Year's eve is the climax of the holiday season and a moment best savoured when surrounded by friends, family, and festivity.

Friday Musings

However, after the party ends and the dust settles, the days following January 1 can be a jarring experience, with an entire year's yawning possibilities leading some people to reappraise their life.

Some people aim at losing weight, becoming fit, and learning new things while some aim for becoming a better version of themselves.

The New Year is the time when one tends to look back at the previous year, and assess how it went. It is like a fresh beginning for a person, an instant that could prove to be the pinnacle of one`s fate in its upcoming journey of life. It is the perfect moment to get back on track and develop oneself. The Holy Quran says in this respect:

“That is because Allah would not change a favour which He had bestowed upon a people until they change what is within themselves. And indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing”. [Quran: 8:53]

Even though Islamic New Year is already started, we have to walk along with the rest of the world positively. So, this is the perfect time for all of us to evaluate our past and strategize for the future to achieve goals.

Following are some of the most important resolutions that we could consider to make this year count for ourselves.

Adopting simplicity

Simplicity is considered to be one of the noblest and most appreciated characteristics of a Muslim`s personality. Islam teaches us to avoid any kind of pride and lavishness, no matter what our social status, income, and stature are. Our Holy Prophet spent His life in contentment with whatever He had and never wished for more.

Praying regularly

Allah Almighty has ordered us Muslims to pray five times a day regularly. It is the way to show gratitude and thank the Almighty for His blessings. It also lets us get closer to the Creator of this universe.

“O you, who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient” … [Quran, 2:153]

According to the above-stated Quranic verse, all of our problems could be solved if we pray to Allah as He likes and accompanies the ones who offer Salah. Without a shadow of a doubt, when Allah is with someone, that person can never experience failure in life.

Understanding Quran

Unfortunately, most of us Muslims read Quran just for the sake of reading it and do not ponder on the teachings mentioned in it. It is our utmost duty to not only comprehend the verses of the Quran but also act upon them accordingly; as they are the basis for living a flourishing life.

“Alif, Lam, Ra. [This is] a Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that you might bring mankind out of the dark into the light by permission of their Lord – to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy”. [Quran, 14:1]

So it is clear from this Ayah that Quran is the source of enlightenment, as we get to know about many issues of daily life which we are doing wrongfully, e.g. backbiting is said to be a major sin in the Holy Book, but we do not care much about this delicate subject. So, realizing such and many other things will improve our personality as Muslims.

Performing charity

Zakat (charity) is one of the five pillars of Islam which means to assist others with something valuable like money, food or clothes, etc. to help the needy and also to purify own wealth for avoiding greed and accumulation of extra wealth. Every Muslim must carry out this deed and it should be done regularly.

The Almighty has promised us the Ajar (reward) from Him. It is also a superlative means of thanking Allah for all His blessings, realizing the fact that others need ours and those who do not beg but are poor.

Excelling in humbleness

Humility and modesty are the prominent behavioural traits of a true Muslim. Our Prophet Muhammad has put great emphasis on the importance of humility towards others.

Speaking the truth

Islam has put a great emphasis on the significance of honesty and candour. It is regarded as one of the top virtues of Momin (true Muslim). It not only includes straightforward speech while communicating with others but also being truthful to what one believes in. There should be a high deal of conformity between what we have faith in and what we do.

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Shortly, a new year is like an inauguration of a new setup, where a business can restart its operations by adopting the right strategies and plans. We are in the same state too: we can learn more about Islam, act upon its teachings dutifully, and improve our lives in the future by avoiding making mistakes in daily life.