Have you started the new year just like others do? With greetings and fun? If your reply is on the affirmative, the next question is, was the last year’s ‘cost-benefit’ calculation done rightly? Are your aftermath and results enough to permit a merry-making or enjoyment and have fun or make time for greeting other people?
Think one more thing. The whole past year showed up and ended. You’ve seen 365 sunrises and sunsets. Another year has just started. How many sunrises and sunsets did you see of this (new) year? None of us know how many sunrise and sunset are we really about to see in this year..(!?)
Common sense clearly dictates that in regards to this worldly life, don’t get extremely happy with something and don’t get extremely sad with something too. Both these extreme reactions cause a great negative impact on our lives. Firstly, it makes us oblivion of our ultimate objectives and goal. Secondly, it wastes our time on useless matters. Many people who are completely unconcerned about the afterlife but well aware of better earning and living in this world, do not squander their life on futile matters. How can then, with the beliefs in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ and the resurrection of the afterlife, the believers imagine to indulge themselves in fruitless hangouts and decay this invaluable life on quenching thirsts of the evil vices?!
Today, it is not only possible but also very easy to let ourselves ‘go with the trend’ and ‘do as we wish’ when the reality has been forgotten! We have forgotten that the return to Allah is a must. Orally we admit “Verity we are for Allah and to Him we shall return” but in lifestyle, efforts, and goal-setting, we are clearly falling back from the ‘oral testimony and vows’. This undoubtedly depicts the fact that what we say and utter has not been embedded into our hearts!
Harsh but true is, we are seasonal and periodic Muslims. For this reason, our worships, transactions, social interactions, and behavioral characteristics correlate to a very little extent. Moreover, the most integral and significant part ‘Imaan with its fundamental principles’ have become so fragile that we are tending to lose our real identity! Although our name is Abdullah or Abdur Rahman, our actions are quite similar to some Tom or John. As a Muslim, this is should be a matter of great regret!
Let us recalculate and reassess our life. We are already short of time in our lives; no one except Allah knows when the life is terminating but very soon it will, no doubt. Let us haste towards Tawba – make a return to Allah. Tawba is the journey from sin to purity in fear and love of Allah. We should not delay and turn towards our Lord – Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى . He reminds us with so much kindness and affection (meaning):
Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped. And follow the best of what was revealed to you from your Lord before the punishment comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive, Lest a soul should say, “Oh [how great is] my regret over what I neglected in regard to Allah and that I was among the mockers.” Sura Zumar – 39:53-56
If we desire to carry out an action at the very outset of a new year or whatsoever, it is wise to start it with seeking the help and guidance of the omnipotent creator! His assistance alone is just sufficient against all the apprehensions we fear.
