The New Year?...Resolutions Anytime Resolutions... By Abu Muhammad Yusuf The Islamic New of 1436 has recently ushered in and people generally begin to think about their life and some even make resolutions about how they will approach this New Islamic Year and their work, health and relationships. As humans and believers we also have ambitions. Instead of making resolutions only about material progression, the resolutions of a believer would and should be about ones progression on the path of enlightenment and nearness to his or her Creator Allah Taala. In reality we dont need a New Year or special occasion to make a resolution for doing or achieving good. It can be done instantaneously! Generally people intend doing things to become better off than the year before. Common resolutions include cutting down on chocolate/weight, quit smoking, getting in shape, etc. A lot involves benefits to the health and/or improving their lifestyle. Others include giving more to charity, being closer to family which boosts a personal level of satisfaction etc. But this we as Muslims should be doing regardless. What about us? Have we set a goal or targets for ourselves? If so, was it because it was a New Year? Did you have to wait for the New Year to set it? Is there something about you that you wish to improve? No human is perfect. But Allah Taala gave us humans intelligence to learn and the means for people to better themselves. And we should aim for perfection. The whole essence of Tarbiya is based on improving ourselves, i.e. self development. While people set goals or targets for the benefit of this world, we as Muslims should ideally be setting goals for not only our material well-being but more importantly for the aakhirah (Life in Hereafter), to maximise reward so we attain Jannah(Paradise) and to avoid the punishment of the Jahannam (hellfire). That is not to say that we should not set goals for this material life , by all means go ahead. But if you intend to do a good deed for the dunya(worldly life) only, your reward will be in the dunya. When you intend to do a good deed for the aakhirah, your rewards will be in both the dunya and the akhira. For example, when you intend to eat so you can have the strength and energy to work so you can maintain and care for your family as it is a Command of Allah Taala to do so, you will be rewarded and receive benefits both in this world and the next. But if you just eat so satisfy your hunger then your reward is just the benefits of eating. Allah Taala mentions in the Holy Quran; …And I created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me.. (Quran 51:56). Therefore, our intentions and targets should ultimately be aimed at pleasing Allah Taala. We set ourselves certain targets that will help us maximise reward, or to even minimise sinning. For many of us we can start with some simple yet effective, ways which we can improve our character such as to stop backbiting, be more trusting, watching our tongue, not lazing about, etc. Let us look at it another way. Do we ever stop at the end of the day to look back thinking, what have I actually achieved today? It may be a good idea, before the start of each day, to ask yourself, what can I do tomorrow to improve myself? It can even be something small such as learning an ayah of the Quran or giving a loaf of bread in Sadaqah (Charity) or just to smile at somebody. Whatever you wish to improve on, no matter how ambitious or small it is, whether it is for the dunya or the akhirah, one can apply the SMART method. What they stand for is: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely. The crucial element here is time, which means you need to set yourself deadlines. Instead of saying, Im going to memorise the Quran, Insha Allah (If Allah Taala wills), rather say by the end of this month, Insha Allah I hope to have memorised juz(chapter) Amma. Its more direct and you will have set yourself up with expectations. Another way to help is to let others know what you intended to do. This way you will have someone else to give you that extra push. If you and a friend decide to work towards the same target then it makes it much easier, you both can push each other. The Noble Messenger of Allah is reported to have said; None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. (Hadith:Bukhari and Muslim). There is also the topic of setting a long term goal, but that in itself is another topic, though the principles are similar. Often the lack of motivation is what causes people to stop pursuing their targets. However, if you set your targets with the intention of pleasing Allah Taala and make effort, He will make things easier for you. In Hadith Qudsi Allah says, if he comes to Me walking, I go running unto him (Bukhari, Muslim). Allah Taala also mentions that; …those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide them in Our Paths. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good. (Quran, 29:69). Knowing that Allah will reward you both in this world and the hereafter should re-stimulate that motivation that you need to accomplish things. Sometimes it is that extra motivation that you need. So if ever, when working towards something you feel a bit bothered about then just ask yourself again why you are doing this. If it is for Allah Taalas cause then He shall make things easier for you. But you need that bit of effort. Have a bit of patience for you will be rewarded for that too. There is indeed no limit to the good a person can intend and indeed according to ones niyyah (intention) one will be rewarded . According to Hadith if a person intends to do a good deed but cannot do it, Allah writes for him a reward of one good deed. If he both intends to do and performs that good deed, Allah writes for him a reward of ten good deeds and increases it up to seven hundred and more. (Hadith Bukhari). Also if a person intends to do a good deed, but is then unable to complete it due to an obstacle in his way, there will still be a reward just for his good intention. Intention is such a magical cure that it turns habits, activities, deeds to worship. And also it is a soul which turns dead circumstances and moods to live worships. Setting goals or targets is an excellent practise. There are good resolutions a person can make and does not need to wait for a New Year. Source: eislaminfo.blogspot.de In shaa Allah tomorrow we continue with 5 Easy Tips to Make Our Lives Spiritually Enriching!
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 19:25:22 +0000
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